February 21, 2023 – A latest survey shows that many parents give their children fever-reducing medication although it will not be really useful.
One in three parents of kids ages 12 and under said they offer their child fever-reducing medication to scale back a extreme temperature that continues to be below 100.4°F (38°C). Relying too quickly on medications resembling Tylenol can mask other symptoms that accompany a low-grade fever, potentially delaying diagnosis of the explanation for the fever.
The Results were released Monday by the University of Michigan's CS Mott Children's Hospital. The survey included responses from 1,376 parents in August and September 2022.
Child health experts normally define fever as 38°C or more. An elevated temperature in itself will not be dangerous and might sometimes be helpful.
“Some parents give their children medication immediately, but it is often better to just let the fever subside. Lowering a child's temperature does not usually help cure the illness any faster,” said researcher and pediatrician Susan Woolford in a opinion“In fact, a mild fever helps fight the infection. There is also the risk of giving an unnecessary amount of medication, which can lead to side effects.”
Among the parents who participated within the survey:
- 35% would administer medication at a temperature below 38 °C.
- 50% would administer medication for a temperature between 38 and 39 °C.
- 15% would administer the medication at a temperature of 39 °C or more.
One in 4 parents also said they might give one other dose later to forestall the fever from recurring.
The major good thing about antipyretic drugs is generally to alleviate symptoms, the researchers explained.
An increased body temperature has been shown to make immune cells higher in a position to destroy viruses and bacteria that cause infections, the researchers wrote. They said parents should as an alternative monitor the extreme temperature and use calming strategies without medication, resembling:
- Keep the room cool.
- Make sure that the kid will not be overexerted.
- Dress the kid in light clothing.
- Make sure you drink enough fluids.
The researchers encouraged parents and caregivers to make use of accurate methods to measure a toddler's temperature. Oral temperatures are probably the most accurate and might be used once a toddler is sufficiently old to carry a thermometer with their mouth closed. In infants and young children, rectal temperature measurement is probably the most accurate method.
It's also vital to know when to call a physician if a toddler's fever continues to rise while being monitored, the researchers advise. When to choose up the phone is dependent upon the kid's age.
Any sign of fever in an infant 3 months of age or younger is a reason to call a physician. For infants 4 to 12 months of age, researchers advised calling if the fever is accompanied by lower activity levels, more fussiness or fewer wet diapers.
For older children, call your doctor if the fever lasts longer than 24 hours in children under 2 years old or longer than 3 days in children 2 years old and older. Always call if the fever reaches 104°F (40°C).