Cold and Flu
How to treat a fever
When cold and flu season strikes, fever often comes with the territory – and the ways to deal with a fever can be as varied as the colds and flu themselves.
Not all fevers need to be treated, remember. The general rule of thumb is, if it’s not causing any other problems like dehydration or discomfort, there is no need to medicate.
However, for those stubborn fevers, a list of treatments and remedies is listed below:
- Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen based on the package recommendations for age or weight. It will bring a temperature down, but it will not return it to normal and it won't treat the underlying reason for the fever.
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- A sponge bath can make you more comfortable and help bring the fever down. Use only lukewarm water - cool water may cause shivering, which actually raises body temperature.
- Dress in lightweight clothing and cover with a light sheet or blanket. Overdressing and over-bundling can prevent body heat from escaping and can cause a temperature to rise.
- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Water, soup, ice pops and flavored gelatin are all good choices.
- If your child has a fever accompanied by vomiting and / or diarrhea, ask your doctor about electrolyte solutions made especially for children, and whether you should use them. Also, limit your child's intake of fruits and apple juice.
- Get lots of rest.
When to call a doctor
Whether to call the doctor or not can depend on many different factors, such as the exact temperature, age of the child, the illness and whether there are other symptoms with the fever.
Call your child's doctor if you have:
- An infant younger than three months with a temperature of 100.4 F (38 C).
- An older child with a temperature of higher than 104 F (40 C).
If you have an older child with a fever of less than 104 F, call the doctor if your child also:
- Refuses fluids or seems too ill to drink adequately.
- Has persistent diarrhea or repeated vomiting.
- Has any signs of dehydration.
- Has a specific complaint (ex. sore throat or earache).
- Still has a fever after 24 hours in a child younger than two years, or 72 hours in a child two years or older.
- Has recurrent fevers, even if they only last a few hours each night.
Seek emergency care if your child shows any of the following signs along with a fever:
- Inconsolable crying for several hours.
- Extreme irritability.
- Lethargy and difficulty waking.
- Rash or purple spots that look like bruises on the skin (that weren’t there before the child got sick).
- Blue lips, tongue and / or nails.
- Infant's soft spot on the head seems to be bulging outward.
- Stiff neck.
- Severe headache.
- Limpness and refusal to move.
- Difficulty breathing that doesn't get better when the nose is cleared.
- Leaning forward and drooling.
- Seizure.
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my granson is 3.5 years, has had a fever which is now under control, we were told by the doctor that he just has the flu, however, we are worried becuase he is refusing to eat, is not himself, cranky and really short fused, is not playing in his normal manner,complains of being tired a lot and falls asleep every afternoon something he hasn't done for the past year or so. Is it time to go to a children's hospital ? we hesitate to expose him to more germs and the all freightful invasive procedures, Grandma
Posted on 2/6/2010 7:09:00 PM by Anonymous
My granddaughter has a grumling in her chest for 7 days. What will help her. Thank you.
Posted on 10/14/2009 9:22:00 AM by Anonymous
yesterday my five year old hd a 103 fever so we gave tylenol and motrin. She also complained of being cold and her head and stomach hurting. We kept her pretty comfortable and she started to feel a little better last night. Right before she went to sleep we put her in the tub to try to reduce her fever but while she was sleeping throughout the night she remained extremly warm. We are on the second day and she has not gotton better please help! I really don't want to take her to the doctor and expose her to other sicknesses if I don't have too! Thanks Anonymous
Posted on 5/5/2009 8:51:00 AM by Anonymous
thanks for the info!!!!! feel much better
Posted on 2/14/2009 10:33:00 PM by Anonymous
Thanks for this information! It's a good feel 2 verify I'm giving my child the best care!
Posted on 2/10/2009 12:58:00 AM by Anonymous
my son complained about headacke all day yesterday cried half the night gave him night time cold and flu at 3 am he went to sleep. this morning complains of stomake hurting and feels very hot. its sunday should i take him to hospital.
Posted on 1/25/2009 11:01:00 AM by Anonymous
thank you very much i have a 7 week old and i got the stomach flu, and i tried to stay away from him but i breastfeed so he has it;. some of these helped alot for me and him. Thank you
Posted on 1/14/2009 10:37:00 AM by Anonymous
THIS REALLY HELP ME!!! THANKS!!!
Posted on 12/3/2008 10:15:00 AM by Anonymous
Thank you ...for answering some the queations
Posted on 7/17/2008 5:29:00 PM by Anonymous