Fever can be a result of an infection caused by pathogenic microbes. Fever itself is not an illness but an immune response to help fight the infection. Your child also may have a mild fever due to teething, though this would not go over 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Generally, you should not treat a fever unless it is causing serious discomfort or your child has a history of fever-related seizures. Ibuprofen can be used to reduce fever.
Fever-Reducing Medications
Fever-reducing medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can be used to reduce high fever in your child. The medications help block the mechanism that leads to fever but do not treat the illness that causes the fever. According to MayoClinic.com, never treat a fever less than 102 degrees Fahrenheit with fever medications. In addition no fever medication should be given to children younger than 3 months. Fever in children younger than 3 months can indicate a serious illness and needs to be treated by a doctor and not fever-reducing medications. Low-grade fever is beneficial for your child and helps improve the child's immune response to a pathogen.
Ibuprofen
Children's ibuprofen can be used to lower fever and pain in children over 6 months. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, you should not give ibuprofen to children younger than this. If you need to use fever-reducing medication in your child between 3 and 6 months, give acetaminophen instead. The correct dose of ibuprofen depends on your child's weight, not age. Consult your doctor or pharmacist to find out the correct dosage for your child. Giving too high of a dose of ibuprofen to your child is dangerous and can cause toxicity.
Teething
Ibuprofen can be used to relieve discomfort caused by teething. Besides helping to lower fever, ibuprofen also helps reduce pain associated with teething. Always ask your pediatrician before giving your child ibuprofen to treat symptoms of teething.
Considerations
Call your doctor if your child has a fever, since this can be a sign of a serious illness. Your child's normal body temperature is around 100 degrees when taken rectally and 99 degrees when taken orally. A temperature higher than this indicates your child has a fever. Fever can lead to dehydration, which can be serious; encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids and rest. Some children may have seizures, called febrile convulsions, due to high fever. These usually are harmless, but call your doctor immediately if you suspect your child is having a seizure. If fever last over three days, take your child to the hospital.
References
- "Your Baby's First Year"; The American Academy of Pediatrics; 2nd edition; 2005
- MayoClinic.com; Fever Treatment: Quick Guide to Treating a Fever; January 2010
- MayoClinic.com; Teething: Tips for Soothing Sore Gums; December 2009
