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Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are frequently used to treat fevers in children, but a pocket-sized percentage of kids don't tolerate these medicines well or cannot take them for other reasons. If your child has a fever and an over-the-counter fever reducer is not an option, there are several other strategies you can try. Commencement by following basic fever reduction strategies. If your child's fever doesn't come downward or if information technology'south high, you tin can also endeavor sponging them off with lukewarm water. Equally you monitor your child'due south fever, make sure to consider any other symptoms or special circumstances to determine if they might require medical attention.

  1. 1

    Encourage your kid to drink water and other fluids to stay hydrated. Staying hydrated is important whenever someone has a fever, and fluids may likewise help to bring the fever down. Encourage your kid to drink water or an electrolyte replacement solution, such equally Pedialyte, to help go on them hydrated.[1]

    • Try keeping 1 loving cup (240 mL) of water with a straw in it by their bed, or wherever they are resting. If your child is weak or shaky, you might demand to assist them beverage the h2o.
    • Other options to continue your child hydrated when they have a fever include fruit juice diluted with water, goop, jello, and popsicles.

  2. ii

    Make your kid comfortable and encourage them to rest. Being active raises your torso temperature, so you might want to encourage your child to take it piece of cake if they're running a fever. While it'due south not necessary to keep them in bed, effort to continue them indoors and encourage them to play with something that will keep them seated and quiet, such as dolls or coloring.[2]

    • Try putting on your kid's favorite TV show or movie to encourage them to rest.
    • Set a comfy spot for them to residual in the living room, such as on the burrow with pillows and their favorite coating.

    Tip: Keep in mind that your child may not seem uncomfortable at all if they have a mild fever. They might play how they unremarkably do, and if and so, that'southward fine!

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  3. iii

    Place a cool washcloth on your kid's forehead. This part of the body has claret vessels closer to the surface, so putting a absurd, moist washcloth on your child's brow might assist to lower their temperature. Hold a washcloth under absurd running water, and and so wring it out. Fold the cloth in half and identify it over your child'southward brow. Modify the material after it no longer feels cool (well-nigh in one case every 10-15 minutes) and repeat as needed.

    • For a severe fever, you could also place cool washcloths on your kid's wrists and groin.

  4. 4

    Pass up the thermostat or run a fan if it's warm in your home. Lowering the temperature in your habitation may help to lower your child's temperature. Still, exist careful non to brand information technology common cold in your home as this may lead to shivering and chills, which can increase your kid's temperature. Instead, try to keep it comfortably cool, such as around 68 °F (20 °C).[3]

    • If yous run a fan, don't aim it straight at your child. This may cause them to go chilled. Position the fan and so that the air will circulate around them instead.

  5. 5

    Apparel the child in light clothing and use light bedding. Having heavy wear items on may increase your child'southward body temperature, and then it'southward best to wearing apparel them in light, loose article of clothing that will let the air to circulate around them. Get your child into a pair of lightweight pajamas or a t-shirt and shorts. Y'all tin can too swap their usual heavy comforter for a lightweight ane or even just a sheet.[4]

    • If your kid complains of feeling cold, requite them a lightweight coating to cover up with.

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  1. 1

    Make full a bathtub with 1–two in (ii.v–5.ane cm) of tepid water. The water should experience lukewarm, which is about 85 to 90 °F (29 to 32 °C). Don't utilize cold h2o as this is likely to crusade your child to shiver and go chilled, which can increase their trunk temperature even more than.[5]

    • If your child is an infant, fill a baby bathroom with 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) of lukewarm water.
    • Let your child to play with bathroom toys similar they unremarkably would during bath time if they're feeling up to it.

    Warning: Never add rubbing alcohol to the bath water! This is an old-fashioned habitation remedy, just it is ineffective and unsafe. It can cause alcohol poisoning and increase your child's temperature even more.[6]

  2. 2

    Undress your kid and identify them into the tub in a seated position. Don't lay your child in the tub. They need to stay seated while you sponge them. Kneel downward next to the tub then it volition be easier for y'all to reach your kid.[7]

    • Never leave an infant unattended in the bathtub!

  3. 3

    Employ a sponge or washcloth to spread water over your kid's body. Next, dip the washcloth or sponge into the water and then bring it up to your child'south shoulder. Squeeze the h2o over your child'southward shoulder and permit it run down their arm and trunk. Echo on the opposite shoulder and squeeze water over the legs as well.[viii]

    • Do not sponge the water over your child's face up or head.

  4. 4

    Continue sponging until your child's temperature drops. It may take well-nigh 30 to 45 minutes to see a i to 2 °F (−17 to −17 °C) difference in your child's temperature. Take your child's temperature subsequently about 30 minutes to run into if it has dropped. Then, have your child out of the tub, dry them off, and get them dressed over again.[nine]

    • If your kid starts to shiver at any point, have them out of the tub and dry them off. If they become chilled, their temperature volition ascent.

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  1. 1

    Call your doctor if your kid reacts to whatever medications. Fifty-fifty medicine designed to treat fevers and colds in children can cause reactions in some children. If your kid starts to showroom symptoms of an allergic reaction or if they're experiencing serious side effects, telephone call your doctor for medical advice. They may suggest you to go to the emergency room or they may prescribe a dissimilar medication.[10]

    • If your child starts to take trouble breathing, pain or pressure in their chest or abdomen, or their skin turns a blueish or gray color, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

  2. two

    Get medical attention if your child shows serious signs of dehydration. Mild symptoms of aridity such as being extra thirsty and dry mouth are normal with a fever. But if your child starts to showroom serious symptoms such every bit dizziness, decreased urine output or nighttime urine, and farthermost sleepiness, then y'all need to go them medical treatment.

    • Your child may demand IV fluids in guild to be rehydrated.
    • If your child is unable to hold downward any liquids and exhibits signs of dehydration due to airsickness or diarrhea, telephone call your dr. for medical advice.
    • Other symptoms of severe dehydration include headache, few or no tears, and dry skin and lips.

  3. 3

    Seek emergency medical help if your child'south fever gets worse. A very high fever can be extremely dangerous, specially for children. If your child's fever gets likewise high, information technology can lead to serious medical issues and possibly death. Bring your child to an emergency room if their fever gets above 102 °F (39 °C).[xi]

    • For infants, contact your physician if they accept whatever fever at all. Information technology could be a sign of a serious infection.

    Warning: Developing a fever afterward being left in a hot car is a sign that your child is suffering from heat stroke. Your kid may require medical attention if this happens. Call your child's doctor right away and allow them know what happened and that your child has a fever.[12]

  4. 4

    Talk to your doc if your child'south fever lasts more than 72 hours. A fever should run its form naturally and go away after about 2-three days. A fever that lasts longer than 3 days could exist a sign of a more serious outcome. Telephone call your doctor if your child'southward fever persists past 3 days. They may want to assess or have you lot take your child to an emergency room.[13]

    • Your physician may besides prescribe medication to assistance treat the fever.
    • If yous have a kid younger than ii and their fever lasts more 24 hours, call your medico.

  5. 5

    Contact your doctor if your child has a pre-existing condition. Even a depression-grade fever can exist harmful to children with certain conditions. If your child has a chronic medical problem such as lupus, cancer, or heart illness and they develop a fever, contact your doctor. They may want to have precautionary measures or monitor your child.[xiv]

  6. six

    Watch for symptoms that may indicate a trouble. It's likewise of import to consider whatsoever other symptoms that present along with a fever. Pay attention to anything you've noticed or that your child has complained about. Call your child'due south md correct away if your child is:[15]

    • Listless or irritable
    • Vomiting repeatedly or has diarrhea
    • Not capable of maintaining eye contact with you
    • Refusing fluids or can't go on them down
    • Peeing less than usual, crying without tears, or less alert than usual
    • Complaining of an earache, sore throat, hurting while urinating, or another specific complaint
    • Developing a rash

  7. 7

    Go to an emergency room if your child has severe symptoms. If your child has a fever along with other astringent symptoms, this may indicate a medical emergency. Call emergency services in your country or take your child to the emergency section of your nearest hospital if your kid is:[16]

    • Crying without stopping
    • Extremely irritable or fussy
    • Sluggish and finding it difficult to wake up
    • Developing a rash that looks like regal spots or bruises
    • Turning blueish around their lips, nails, and tongue
    • Complaining of a stiff neck, trouble breathing, abdominal pain, or severe headache
    • Going limp or refuses to motion
    • Leaning forward and drooling
    • Having seizures

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  • Always call your child's doctor if your child is under iii months old and has a fever of 100.four °F (38.0 °C), between 3 and 6 months erstwhile and has a fever over 102 °F (39 °C), between half-dozen and 24 months and has a fever over 102 °F (39 °C) that lasts longer than 24 hours.[17]

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Things You lot'll Demand

  • Water or rehydration solution
  • Thermometer to cheque your child's temperature
  • Pillows, blankets, and sheets to make your child comfortable
  • Loose, lightweight habiliment or pajamas
  • Washcloth

References

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  • Tasha Gibson

    Tasha Gibson

    April 26, 2016

    "I learned a lot and at present understand a lot more about fevers that I would've never known about. Now what I read I..." more

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