How to best care for a feverish child
How to best care for a feverish child
- Your child may not feel like eating much with a fever. To prevent dehydration, give your child plenty of fluids -- water, juice, soup, flavored gelatin or ice pops.
- Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen if your child's temperature is causing him or her discomfort. Reducing the fever does not change the natural course of the illness, but often makes the child more comfortable. A comfortable child is more likely to drink and eat which is important in fighting an infection. Be sure to follow the package's instructions for your child's age and weight. Do not give children and teenagers aspirin or aspirin-containing products, because they have been linked to Reye's syndrome, a serious condition that can lead to coma and death.
- Dress the child lightly and use lighter bedclothes to avoid overheating.
- About 5% of children between 6 months and 6 years of age sometimes have seizures or convulsions (called febrile seizures) when they have a fever. These seizures are seldom harmful and are caused by the combination of a virus and a change in temperature in a susceptible child. During a seizure, protect children from hurting themselves by keeping them away from nearby objects and making sure they are breathing freely. These seizures most often stop by themselves within a minute. Report the seizure to your child's doctor. If the seizures continue, go to the emergency room.