DD has a temp and sore throat/glands - give medicine or 'let it run it's course' to get over it quicker?

[plipplops]

Title says it all really. DD (6yo) has had a temp (38 degrees) since Saturday morning with a sore throat and swollen glands. Took her to see the practise nurse yesterday who confirmed not tonsillitis, just a virus of some kind. She mentioned about giving paracetamol/ibuprofen if she was over a certain temp but that otherwise you could 'let the fever run it's course'. I get that a temperature is the body's way of fighting infection so shall I just hold off on the medicine and hope it goes away quicker??

[Seeline]

I think it depends on how you DD is feeling. If the sore throat is really painful, or she is feeling really poorly then give meds. If she is her normal self, and not complaining, and drinking/sleeping normally, then don't bother. A temperature can make you feel really rotten - I don't think it's fair to let a child feel bad if something can be done to help.

[Imnotaslimjim]

My DS has something similar. I have given calpol but only because he says his throat is sore. I've not done anything to bring his temp down, and he is perking up today

[TendonQueen]

Don't get the logic of the nurse. The fever will run its course anyway, surely? What's wrong with bringing the temperature down to make the child more comfortable in the meantime?

Also if you've given Calpol Imnot then you have done something to bring his temp down as that's one of the things it does. Probably why he's perking up

[Imnotaslimjim]

He's not had calpol today tendon and even with the calpol his temp was still over 38, so it didn't bring it down. I meant I haven't used a fan or sponge bath to cool him

[plipplops]

The nurses point is that if the body gets left at a higher temp it will kill the virus sooner than if you lower the temp using medicine? I've just given her some ibuprofen as she said her throat really hurt and the medicine makes her feel better, but wonder if I'm making it all take longer in the long run...Just want her back to school!

[ItsADinosaur]

The current recommendation is not to give calpol or ibuprofen for a temperature alone unless they are in pain or uncomfortable or irritable. But to leave the temperature to do it's job.