The temperature from which it is worse to give medicines to children to lower their fever

by time news

As is known, the winter season is accompanied by a large number of viruses that circulate in school or kindergarten. And a hot forehead is usually one of the first clear signs that a child has contracted a virus. But do parents react appropriately to their children’s elevated temperatures? A new study calls into question what was thought about fever in children until now.

Although most parents recognize that a low fever helps the child’s body fight infections, one in three parents would administer fever-reducing medicines in case of temperatures below 38ºC, which is not recommended, According to the National Survey on Child Health of the CS Mott Children’s Hospital of the University of Michigan (United States).

Half of the parents would also use medication if the fever was between 38 and 39 degreesand a quarter of parents would probably give another dose to prevent the fever from coming back.

Keeping children with fever comfortable

“Parents often worry that their child has a fever and want to do everything they can to bring their temperature down. However, they may not be aware that, in general, the main reason to treat a fever is simply to keep their child comfortable,” said Mott Poll co-director and Mott pediatrician Dr. Susan Woolford.

“Some parents rush to medicate their children, but often it’s best to let the fever run its course. Lowering a child’s temperature does not usually help to cure his illness more quickly. In fact, a low fever helps fight the infection. There is also a risk of giving too much medication when it is not needed, which can have side effects“, he explained. The report is based on 1,376 responses from parents of children under 12 years of age surveyed between August and September 2022.

Two out of three parents surveyed say they are very sure they know if their child needs fever-reducing medication. But just over half are sure they understand how temperature readings can change depending on the method used.


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The method used to take the temperature

The method used to take a child’s temperature is important and can affect the accuracy of the measurement, Woolford notes. Parents surveyed usually take their children’s temperatures by examining the forehead or mouth, while less than one-sixth use the ear, armpit or rectal methods.

Remote thermometers on the forehead or inside the ear canal can be accurate if used correctly. But readings on the forehead may be inaccuratesays Woolford, if the scanner is held too far away or if the child’s forehead is sweaty. With ear thermometers, which are not recommended for newborns, earwax can also interfere with reading.

For infants and young children, a rectal temperature is the most accurate. When children are able to keep the thermometer in their mouths closed, oral temperatures are also accurate, while axillary temperatures are the less accurate method. “Contact thermometers use electronic thermal sensors to record body temperature, but this can fluctuate depending on how it’s measured,” Woolford explains.


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Review the instructions for the thermometer

“Regardless of the device used, it is important that parents review the instructions to ensure that the method is appropriate for the child’s age and that the device is positioned correctly when taking temperature.” Three in four parents say they take their child’s temperature as soon as they notice a potential problem, while just under a quarter wait to see if the problem continues or worsens before taking a temperature.

Additionally, two-thirds of parents also prefer to try methods such as a cold cloth before using fever-reducing medicines. Most parents also state that they always or usually write down the time of each dose and retake their child’s temperature before giving another dose.

“A quarter of parents would give their child more medication to prevent a return of fever, even if it doesn’t help them get better,” Woolford says. “If a child is otherwise well, parents may consider monitoring the child and using alternative interventions to help keep the child comfortable,” she adds. However, if a newborn or baby under three months has a feveryou should see a healthcare professional immediately, adds Woolford.


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Fever can help fight infection

According to Woolford, fever can be beneficial, and there are several reasons to let it run its course in older children, not least because it acts as a weapon to kill the virus or bacteria that causes illness. Evidence shows that fever is part of the immune response to stop viruses and bacteria from reproducing and also to produce more white blood cells and antibodies.

On the other hand, he warns that medicines that reduce fever also mask the symptoms. “Medications used to bring down the temperature also treat painbut pain is often a sign that helps locate the source of an infection,” Woolford explains. “By masking pain, fever-reducing medications can delay diagnosis and delay receiving treatment if needed,” he reiterates.

He adds that parents can also be tempted to take children out when they seem noticeably better after medication, when in fact they are still highly contagious and can infect other people. If medication is used, care must be taken not to over-medicate.

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