Calpol avoidance - but when to give?

[hillbilly]

I'm quite anti medicating for the sake of it, and figure that a high temp is the body trying to heal itself (this is on the doctor's advice btw). DD ((8) has had a temp of 39.6 for the last 2 hours. Should I give her paracetamol or wait a while?

personally I'd give it but I dont particularly avoid medicating in the first place. My Dc's are rarely ill anyway.

yes always always give for a temperature.

having had two that fitted with temperatures I am always a bit at people who think paracetamol is more risky than a temperature

I don't think paracetamol is risky, I just don't think that always bringing down a high temperature is the right thing to do. During daytime whn I can monitor it and try to bring it down in other ways is different to nighttime when things can escalate more unexpectedly. I gave her calpol an hour after I posted and temp is coming down slowly.she's falling asleep on the sofa now and I will probably give her ibruprofen before she goes to bed.

No, I wouldn't give it for just a temperature.

(though obviously if you have a DC with febrile convulsions, you follow individual medical advice).

If the child is hot but comfortable, I'd leave them to it. I would give a painkiller if they were complaining of pain.

I give calpol when they are in pain. I'm with you on temperatures are they best way for the body to fight infection, if the child (or adult) is reasonably comfortable. If its making them uncomfortable, or unable to sleep, I medicate.
fwiw, we don't have a thermometer in the house.

Both my children run high temps when ill. I only give meds if they are in pain or if the temp is over 39.5 and they are really lethargic. I think generally the temp is the body's way of fighting infection and it has been proven children not given anti- pyrexics have shorter course of illness.

A febrile convulsion will happen regardless of giving calpol.

It's to do with the speed the temperature goes up rather than how high it is.

Is she miserable? If so yes give it. If not just keep her stripped off, keep up the fluids and keep an eye on it. You're right in that the recommendation now is to leave a temperature to do its job unless in pain or uncomfortable.

If calpol isn't touching it then try ibuprofen. If neither touch it then start alternating.

Oh, if she's 8 she's a bit too old to be having a febrile convulsion anyway.

Thanks all. I gave her calpol just now and she's in my bed so I can keep an eye on her during the night. We're supposed to be seeing Horrible Histories at the theatre tomorrow so I hope she feels better. More importantly I should have been out at a friend's birthday party tonight and missed out :-(

yes I would agree tis a bit old missed that in the original post.

regardless have never met a doctor that doesn't say give paracetamol for a fever.

I fever is damn uncomfortable.

Every doctor I know tells me to get the fever down asap. I am not keen on medicating, but I certainly would for a temperature over 39 (actually 38 is the magic number in my house!)

Hope she's feeling better soon, and you make it to the theatre

pobble - of course paracetamol does not stop a febrile convulsion.

what is does do it slow or bring down a temperature. get it in quick enough you can reduce the chance.

Paper, convulsions occur due to a sharp ruse in temperature - usually before the parent even notices that the child is ill.

I am very aware of what causes a "febrile" convulsion. ds still gets different forms at 6

I'm not a hair shirt, raffia eating, free love hippie, although some may say otherwise (no offence to any genuine hair shirt, raffia eating, free love hippies) and I understand about febrile convulsions. Definitely more relaxed about medicating as DCs get older. I just think there is something to be said for letting the body try to right itself naturally. Thanks everyone.

that's a bit like telling me how to suck eggs!

I would give before bedtime.
I'm with you with not giving it willynilly, but I also think a good night's rest help the body heal.

paperlantern - my nephew had a fit years ago which tonight my sister reminded me of. I'm grateful for everyone's contributions this evening and happy to err on the side of caution.

yes febrile convulsions are caused by changes in body temperature. so the point is you need to stabilise it. paracetamol does that. it brings it back down and stops it spiking any further.

occasionally it is possible to anticipate a temperature or stop it in the early stages. paracetamol has prevented at least one convulsion in the case of ds. I know because ds' jaw started to go the paracetamol took effect and it stopped. ibuprofen is more effective.

often the very uncomfortable lethargy associated with illness comes as a result of a temperature. for me I'd want to alleviate that

I think if you've ever seen your child have a fit it does impact on you

I probably was much more of your opinion prior to ds.

Now I have to say I think paracetamol and ibuprofen are (behind antibiotics) one of the simplest and fantastic medicinal advancements

Honest question, what's wrong with giving Calpol/paracetamol? Are there any studies showing I'll effects on children?

I often give the DC a dose for anything from teething to a temp or being sick, a virus, achy, the baby being off Colour and not sleeping. They (age 1 and 4) probably have it at least 5ml ad hoc twice a month, or more and more regularly for an actual illness. Overuse of antibiotics is a real issue I quite agree but good old Calpol?

that sounded a bit corny

what mrs de vere said!!!!