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Children's health

Really basic - to reduce fever or not in DS12?

9 replies

mommybunny · 10/03/2017 10:56

DS (12) woke up with a really sore throat and 38.3 fever. Of course he's home from school today. He and DD (9) aren't ill very often, so I'm a little out of practice treating him. I don't think he needs a doctor just yet as it's the first day, but I will keep an open mind for later.

Should I be giving him paracetomol or Nurofen for the fever, or would that prevent his body fighting whatever bug he's got? I've seen reports saying that you shouldn't automatically reduce a fever unless the child is really miserable, but I can remember when DCs were small taking them to the GP and them telling me to give Calpol for fever.

My mother never hesitated to reduce a fever when my siblings and I were young, and she would be shocked to hear me even consider leaving it in my DS. But my DH is VERY anti-medicating fever because he thinks the fever is there to fight the infection and you're prolonging it if you mask the fever with anti-pyretics.

None of us of course has any medical expertise, but I was just wondering if there was a consensus on treating fevers that spring up in the course of childhood infections. If his fever spikes later today, whether I treat it now or not, I probably will phone the GP for advice, but for now I don't think it's that serious - I just don't want him unnecessarily uncomfortable.

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ImLadybird · 10/03/2017 11:04

I often go through the same thought processes myself. At 12 yrs old, if not too uncomfortable, for the temperature alone I'd leave it but if he needs some paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain relief, I'd give it. My DS had a few febrile convulsions when he was a baby and toddler so I was keen to keep his temperature down then, but as they get older I think overall, it's best to leave it if you can, unless it gets way too high. Hope he gets better soon.

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123bananas · 10/03/2017 11:10

Not unless he is in discomfort with it no. Likely a virus not a bacterial infection if just started today, just let it run its course.

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AnoiseAnnoysanOyster · 10/03/2017 11:29

Leave it alone unless he's miserable or in pain. The latest guidelines say to leave a temperature to do its job and treat for pain, unsettled etc. I also wouldn't take to a GP just for a temperature, unless paracetamol and ibuprofen can't bring it down.

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ShowOfHands · 10/03/2017 11:33

NICE guidelines have been the same for years. You give meds for pain and discomfort, not to reduce fever. His body is simply working hard.

Anti-pyretics don't prevent convulsions either and shouldn't be used that way.

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dementedpixie · 10/03/2017 11:40

I would give pain relief for the sore throat tbh

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mommybunny · 10/03/2017 11:58

Thanks for the feedback - nice to know IANBU!

Would a headache (probably caused by the fever) count as "treatable pain"?

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BunloafAndCrumpets · 10/03/2017 12:13

If he's in any pain I would treat it.

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Isadora2007 · 10/03/2017 12:15

Yes. A headache can be helped by painkillers. Is he miserable and asking for pain relief?
Or if not- Keep him hydrated and let him rest.

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AnoiseAnnoysanOyster · 10/03/2017 12:27

Yes of course. If he's got a headache give him some paracetamol just as you would if you had a headache. Make sure he's drinking too.

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