SAFETY TIPS DURING FEVER

ALWAYS CHECK TEMPERATURE

When you notice body heat kindly check the temperature before giving medicine.
If temp >99.5 degree Fahrenheit or >37.5 degree Celsius is defined as fever.
Check with thermometer in axilla or under the tongue for one full minute.

ALWAYS GIVE PLAIN PARACETAMOL

Either syrup or drops dosage of paracetamol in each ml varies, hence weight of the child is must for calculating the dosage according to paracetamol strength in each different brands available
Hence always check the paracetamol dosage and frequency with doctor before hand inorder to give during fever episodes.
Always have two paracetamol bottles at home in emergency first aid kit. If one bottle is opened it should be kept only for a month. If its more than a month, please discard it and use a unopened bottle in case of fever emergencies. Kindly check the expiry date before giving.
Always use plain paracetamol
Do not involve in over the counter medications by asking in pharmacy and ultimately buying combination syrups. Combination syrup has decreased dosage of paracetamol and sometimes if dosage is not appropriate will end up in high grade fever resulting in fever provoked seizure/fits for childrens <5years of age.

ADEQUATE HYDRATION

Fever is more prone for dehydration in child.
Give adequate liquids in the form of plain water / soup / oral rehydration salt solution, curd / yoghurt.
Adequate fruits, rice based diet with veggies is adviced.
Give adequate bed rest.
To monitor urine output.

DONT’S IN FEVER

STRICTLY DO NOT GIVE MEFENAMIC ACID / IBUPROFEN

Do not give (SYP.MEFTAL . P) or SYP.IBUGESIC/ IBUGESIC PLUS combination in case of high fever strictly without doctor’s advice.
It is not the preferred fever reducing drug especially for young children due to its serious side effects
It has its own side effects like affecting the platelet function. For example in hemorrahagic fever like dengue already the child will be prone for bleeding manifestations, further giving above medicines will put the child into danger by drastically reducing the platelet count.
It can damage the kidney function if given too frequently
Already the appetite will be suppressed during fever, giving meftal P in empty stomach worsens gastritis causing vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
HENCE DO NOT GIVE AS A FIRST LINE DRUG FOR FEVER OR POST – VACCINATION WITHOUT PAEDIATRICIAN RECOMMENDATION….

TEPID SPONGING

As per research there is no evidence in doing tepid sponging for reducing the fever
It will reduce only the external body heat but the internal temperature still remains the same.
Doing tepid sponging with cold water causes discomfort in child, irritable crying and rigors worsening the situation.

AVOID PROCESSED FOODS / OILY / SPICY FOODS

Body metabolism is aleady weak because of fever.
Giving these type of foods will cause indigestion, gastritis, vomiting, stomach pain and further increasing the temperature.

DO NOT COVER THE CHILD WITH HEAVY CLOTHING

Covering too much with blankets , sweater can cause shivering/rigors leading to increase in temperature
Always wear a comfortable cotton clothes.

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