1. Keep a digital thermometer if possible to monitor temperature, readings above 37.5oC or 100oF are regarded as high.
2. Make your child comfortable.
A fever can make a child feel uncomfortable and irritable.
The following are things that you can do that may bring the temperature down and make your child feel more comfortable
3. You can give paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Both of these medicines can lower a temperature.
Note: these medicines do not treat the cause of the fever. They merely help to ease discomfort.
Note: It is better to use the medicines in a alternating regime rather than giving them together
Note: Avoid Ibuprofen in Children who have reacted to it or any similar drugs before and in asthmatic children.
4. Take the clothes off the child The aim is to prevent overheating.
5. Give lots of to drink.
Children with fever tend to have a poor appetite for food but often like to drink. They are also prone to dehydration which could increase their discomfort if not prevented; avoid giving too much fluid in one feeding because a full stomach could provoke vomiting in a febrile child; but rather give small amounts repeatedly.
6. Avoid cold baths, fanning and cold sponging as these have not been found to offer any added benefit and yet could cause worsening discomfort.