Doctors disagree on when to treat a fever, but most recommend only treating if the person is uncomfortable. Fever can help fight infections, but reducing it can provide comfort. Medications and sponge baths can help, but overdressing or using too many blankets should be avoided. High fevers in newborns require immediate medical attention.
There is much debate on the question of when you should try to bring your fever down. Even doctors disagree on the matter. The Mayo Clinic, for example, suggests not using fever-reducing drugs in anyone over the age of three who has a fever below 102°F (about 38.8°C). Fever helps the body fight infections, but in some circumstances there may be benefit to reducing a fever when it causes significant discomfort.
Most doctors recommend not treating fever with the recommended amounts unless a child or adult is feeling particularly uncomfortable. Fever can cause flushing, irritability, and an increased sense of achiness. If a child has a low-grade fever and appears unaffected, you don’t necessarily need to run to the medicine cabinet for acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
On the other hand, body temperature tends to rise as the day progresses. A temperature of 101°F (about 38.3°C) taken rectally could reach a much higher temperature by the end of the day. If your child starts the morning with a fever, he’s likely to run high and some parents feel he should be turned down before he has a chance to get any higher. Many argue that this method promotes greater comfort for the baby. If you want to wait, check the baby’s temperature periodically throughout the day.
When you’re in a situation where a person over the age of three has a fever of 102°F (about 38.8°C) or higher, and it’s the middle of the night or you can’t get to a doctor, there are a couple of ways to bring down the fever. First of all, you can give an appropriate dosage of paracetamol or ibuprofen and you can actually switch between both medicines as they are completely different in nature. Do not give aspirin to children under the age of twelve, as it puts them at risk of a very dangerous disease called Reye’s syndrome. Do not give or take more medications than recommended by the manufacturer.
Another thing that can help reduce fever is to offer a light sponge bath. Something to avoid having a fever is getting cold. You can give a feverish person a bath or full bath if the bath is warm enough and free from drafts. Do not attempt this if it is likely to give you the chills. Chills tend to increase rather than decrease the temperature.
Make sure you don’t sidestep your fever-lowering efforts by overdressing or using too many blankets. If you or your child has a fever and are cold, an extra blanket or warm shirt can help, but don’t try to sweat someone’s fever out. When the body temperature rises it makes sense to use light blankets and wear light clothes so as not to increase the fever.
If you are caring for a newborn, keep in mind that a rectal temperature above 100°F (about 37.8°C) is an indication to contact your doctor immediately. Administer appropriate medications according to the doctor’s recommendations, and don’t hesitate to call the newborn’s doctor if you notice such a high temperature in an infant under the age of three to four months. Follow a doctor’s advice on the best way to bring down a fever in a child this age.
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