Does anyone else not treat fever in DCs?

[BradfordGirl]

This is based on advice from my paediatric sister who says once they are over two months old, fever is not something to worry about.

I always treat it. Couldn't leave them if I can help them.

Can’t a high temperature cause seizures, and convulsions?

I only treat if it's heading too high or if they are uncomfortable.

Only if it’s very high or they’re in discomfort.

NICE/NHS advice is not to give meds just for a fever. A fever on its own is - usually - not a concern. If the fever presents alongside other symptoms and a child is in pain or discomfort or feeling ill, medicine is necessary.

And febrile convulsions are not caused by a fever but by a speedy jump in temperature. You should not give meds to try and prevent febrile seizures.

Interestingly I took DD to an out of hours GP appt for what turned out to be a virus and the paediatric doctor there said to me that fever is ok so long as it's not very high and they are not in pain.

He said if she is not in pain / discomfort or over a certain number (I can't actually remember what that was off the top of my head!) that it's ok to not give calpol as the fever is the body fighting the virus. But if she's uncomfortable always give calpol as she (obviously) needs to be made more comfortable

An interesting approach I thought!

Mine are miserable with a fever, or sleepless if it’s at night. I think there’s too much emphasis on not “needing” to take it down. If I have a banging headache I don’t “need” to take a paracetamol but I damn well do! Same thing, so yes I treat it.

My DC can have fevers up to 39 without me realising - playing and eating normally. I only dose if they’re under the weather, struggling to sleep or it creeps higher than that.

My children have only rarely had a fever, but yes, I would treat with paracetamol simply because it is unpleasant for them, and fevers are often accompanied by other symptoms such as muscle pain and headache which also need to be relieved. Why wouldn't you treat it?

@RogersOrganismicProcess

Febrile seizures can occur in a certain percentage of children but are usually at the start of an illness and caused by the rapid rise in temperature. They are self limiting (ie stop on their own) and not helped by using anti-pyretics.

Some illnesses cause seizures e.g meningitis - these are not febrile seizures.

Children with seizure disorders can experience an increase in seizures when they are ill (with corresponding fevers)

Unless children have other conditions, especially heart and renal disorders, or are under 6 months, fevers are not harmful.

We have confused internal fever from illness with external heat illness ie heat exhaustion and heat stroke which can cause the temperature control system to stop working (heat stroke).

It's tricky because the same medicines we use to help children with pain relief will also temporarily force down a fever.

NHS recommends not using medicine to treat a fever which is not causing a child distress.

Always treat the fever if they're in pain / body aches / headaches.

We asked the question to my A&E consultant friend who simply said "why wouldn't you treat it? Don't make the children suffer.. ffs!"

If it goes over 39, yes. I feel rough as an adult if my temp goes over that, so why would I put my child through that? Baffling.

I treat pain, not a fever. If they have a temp and no other symptoms, they don't get calpol

If they were in pain/discomfort.
I don’t take it if I’m just feeling a bit rough or have a headache but I would always try and relieve symptoms in my dc if they were uncomfortable.

I only give if he is uncomfortable or temp is very high (above 39).
A fever is a sign of a healthy immune system and as long as their symptoms are not bothering them I try to leave it alone and let the body do its job. I would never leave him to ride it out though if he was crying, whiny, lethargic or off his food/drink etc.

I leave it if it's in the 38s and my little guy isn't miserable as the temperature serves a function to kill the infection. But if it's 39 and up I will treat as I don't want it to get too high-not 100% sure why.
Found this which says a fever up to 40 is fine in children and brain damage would only occur from 42 degrees and up www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/fever-myths-versus-facts/

NICE guidelines.

A fever is one of the body's ways of trying to fight infection, so unless it's dangerously high, I wouldn't give Calpol unless they have other symptoms as well.

This.

I was always torn about treating a fever. That was until my son had a high fever with some viral illness and wasn't taking in much food or drink. He was absolutely miserable and i was reluctant to give him anything because i had read on here that children shouldnt need meds for fevers. I took him to the Dr and he found that his poor heart was racing and he was close to needing to go to A&E for dehydration. I felt like a complete shit, especially as it made such a noticeable difference in both his mood and his ability to take food and water once he'd had some calpol.
Now I am very much led by my instincts and how my children are coping.
Personally if I had a fever and was feeling like shit I would take something, so I apply the same logic to my kids.

It's a natural body reaction to try and kill the bacteria causing infection. Body temp raises to a level that bacteria cannot multiply well at to try and control infection. However if the patient is distressed by the fever or displaying symptoms from it, like rigors/shaking or pain, then best to bring it down.

Fever is the body's way of fighting infection so continually bringing it down feels like it would potentially prolong the illness. My understanding is febrile seizures are not dangerous and more to do with rapid temp change?

Therefore don't, unless they are in a lot of discomfort or pain, feeling very ill preventing sleep etc. If they are coping and OK I don't tend to treat unless approaching close to 40. I focus on hydration and sleep with them so I can keep a close eye.

For example both DCs had fevers over 40c with strep over the summer, they were very poorly with it and I treated it then. I also wanted to monitor if it worked because sometimes a fever not responding to meds means something serious. I see a lot of people getting out the calpol with a fever of 38 in an otherwise well child which makes no sense.

That does sound horrible for your poor boy.

The advice you'd read is right though. Fevers in isolation don't need to be medicated. You should always look at the child and trust your instincts as you do now. If they are miserable, feel unwell, are in pain or discomfort etc then of course you must give medicine.

There can be some confusion with people believing that not treating a fever automatically, means leaving children miserable. This should never be the case.

Sure. But that is to make them feel a bit better. Its not medically necessary.
I personally never take anything for a fever. I just lie in bed without the duvet over me and it is fine. But of course if my DC seem miserable, I would see if calpol helps to make them feel better.
IME DC can have a fever though and not feel ill.

I agree dehydration is more of an issue. We always have rehydration powder just in case that you stir into water. I always focus on making sure they are drinking enough and preferably eating a bit.