A Parents’ guide to fever
Fever can be the result of an infection and/or damage to tissue and
is produced by the immune system to fight the invading infection.
The fever plays an important role in the destruction of the
infection/virus, by activating the brain to release chemicals that set
off a series of actions which fight off the microbes or virus that are
invading the body.
The temperature of a fit and healthy child varies between
36.5˚C(97.7F) and 37.5˚C (99.5F). Shivering and sweating are two of
the many methods that the body uses to regulate temperature. A
thermostat in the brain controls core body temperature; this
thermostat is regulated by a number of internal chemical
mechanisms and external environmental factors.
With every 1C increase in body temperature, there is a 10%
corresponding increase in the metabolic rate. This increase in
metabolic rate speeds up the body’s immune response to fighting
infection and encourages tissue repair. It also causes the child‘s
heart rate to increase; the breathing to become faster; the child may
lose his appetite or feel tired.
If your child has a temperature

Offer regular fluids continue breastfeeding, if you
are breasting.

Dress the child appropriately for the surroundings;
try to prevent overheating or shivering.

Do not use tepid sponging to cool the child.

Check your child regularly, two or three times
throughout the night.

Keep your child away from school, nursery and
playgroup,
while
he/she
has
temperature
symptoms and inform them of the illness.
Seek medical help:
If you notice that your child is getting
dehydrated. Signs to look out for are:

The fever lasts more than five days

Dry mouth

Sunken fontanelle,

Absence of tears,
For paracetamol infant suspension (120 mg/5 mL):

Sunken eyes
Age: 2–3 months
1. Post-vaccination fever

Generally lethargic

Has a fit (convulsion)

Develops a rash (non-blanching)

The child is getting more unwell
Use Paracetamol or Ibuprofen to reduce any symptoms of
the temperature, e.g., the child is distressed; has a
headache or appears to be in pain.
Do not give Paracetamol or Ibuprofen with the sole aim to
reduce temperature, if the child is otherwise well and
running around.
If temperature remains high even after giving the
Paracetamol, ensure that you have given appropriate doses,
if you have, consider switching to ibuprofen.
If temperature symptoms are still not responding and
medical advice is sought, it is possible to alternate between
Paracetamol and Ibuprofen.
Give the Paracetamol first and then two hours later give one
dose of Ibuprofen, take care not to exceed the maximum
dose of each drug in 24 hours.
Do not use Ibuprofen, if your child has a history of asthma
or a history of hypersensitivity to Ibuprofen or Aspirin.
Paracetamol should be used as first choice, if your child has
a history of kidney, liver or heart problems or if your child
has a history of gastric (stomach) ulcer.
Aspirin should not be given to children, under 16 years of
age
Paracetamol and Ibuprofen may be mixed with fruit
juice or milk.
Your child has a temperature, if it is 37.5C or above.
P.S. Do not alternate or combine Paracetamol with
Ibuprofen, in first instance.
Dose
2.5 mL
If necessary, after 4–6
2. Other causes of pain and fever hours, give a second 2.5
if your baby weighs over 4 kg and mL dose
was born after 37 weeks




Do not give to babies less than 2 months of age
Do not give more than 2 doses
Leave at least 4 hours between doses
If further doses are needed, talk to your doctor or
pharmacist
Child's age
3–6 months
6–24 months
2–4 years
4–6 years



How much
2.5 mL
5 mL
7.5 mL
10 mL
How often (in 24
hours)
4 times
4 times
4 times
4 times
Do not give more than 4 doses in any 24-hour
period
Leave at least 4 hours between doses
Do not give this medicine to your child for more than
3 days without speaking to your doctor or
pharmacist
For paracetamol six plus suspension (250 mg/5 mL):
Child’s age
How much
6–8 years
8–10 years
10–12 years
5 mL
7.5 mL
10 mL




How often (in 24
hours)
4 times
4 times
4 times
Do not give more than 4 doses in any 24-hour period
Leave at least 4 hours between doses
Do not give this medicine to your child for more than
3 days without speaking to your doctor or pharmacist
Do not give to children under the age of 6 years
Dose for children age 12–16 years: 10–15 mL up to 4 times a
day.
Dose for adults and children over 16 years: 10–20 mL up to 4
times a day.
The Keats Group Practice
Article citation: Drug Safety Update July 2011, vol 12 issue 4:
A2.
DO NOT GIVE THIS MEDICINE TO YOUR CHILD FOR
MORE THAN 3 DAYS WITHOUT SPEAKING TO
DOCTOR/PHARMACIST
FEVERS IN CHILDREN
Ibuprofen:
Age 3-5 months: 50 mg three times a day
Age 6-11 months: 50 mg three times a day
Age 1-3 years 11 months: 100 mg three times a day
Age 4-6 years 11 months: 150 mg three times a day
Age 7-9 years 11 months: 200 mg three times a day
Age 10-11 years 11 months: 300mg three times a day
Age 12-16 years: 200mg to 400mg three to four times a
day
CARE. Maximum dose of Ibuprofen is three doses in 24
hours, except for children aged 6-11 months. Also, do not
use for more than 24 hours)
Please note these are guidelines only.
Mary De Kauwe
Nurse Practitioner