FEVER & MEDICATION

Fever Control Guidance

• Fever indicates that the body is fighting/responding to an infection.

• Parents of young children with past medical or family history of febrile seizures should treat a fever more aggressively.

• Acetaminophen/Tylenol can be given every 4-6 hours.

• Ibuprofen/Motrin/Advil can be given every 6-8 hours.

• It will take approximately 30-60 minutes for fever medications to start working.

• The fastest way to bring a high fever down, is to give your child a lukewarm bath while waiting for fever medications to take effect.

• You can alternate giving the Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen. The only rule is that Acetaminophen cannot be given more often than every 4 hours, and Ibuprofen cannot be given more often than every 6 hours. For example, you gave your child a dose of Acetaminophen and 2-3 hours later the fever is rising again. In this situation, you can administer a proper dose of Ibuprofen.

• Ibuprofen can only be given to babies who are older than 6 months of age.

• If your child has a fever and is vomiting, you can use rectal suppositories.