Is your child hot and red?

[25 August 2010 - 10h04]

Running a high temperature should not necessarily be a reason to panic! Indeed it is often a useful process and no cause for concern. It is useful because it helps the body to fight infection and it’s rare for it to translate into a serious illness. However, it’s better not to allow body temperature to get out of control.

And of course it’s important to remember that when children have a fever it is always very uncomfortable for them. So you need to take some action … but be careful to avoid certain common mistakes.

When a child has a sudden rise in temperature that continues above 38.5°C, don’t cover them up too much! Remove any unnecessary clothing or covers: this will allow the heat to dissipate more easily. Next, make sure the child drinks as often as possible and more than usual. Water is best of course or other drinks if it’s easier to get your child to swallow them. Finally, keep the room temperature at between 18°C and 20°C.

The benefits of measures such as warm baths are now in question as their effectiveness has not been proved. Not to mention the fact that they can increase the child’s discomfort. It is therefore not recommended to give a warm bath to bring down temperature as a matter of course, as was always traditionally advised.

If the temperature still refuses to fall, you can give your child an antipyretic: this is medication to reduce fever. There are three families of drugs available: paracetamol, two types of anti-inflammatories – ibuprofen and ketoprofen – and finally aspirin. Paracetamol is best as there are firm contraindications for the use of aspirin, in cases of chickenpox for example. At all events, follow the directions for use carefully, in particular the dosage and frequency appropriate to your child’s age. And never use more than one of these medicines at a time, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.

© 1996-2012 Destination Santé SAS - All Rights Reserved. No information contained on this server can be reproduced or retransmitted without prior written consent of Destination Santé. Offenders will be prosecuted in consideration of articles L 122-4 and L 335-3 of the Code of Intellectual Property, allowing up to two years' imprisonment and a 150,000 euros fine.