Many parents are too quick to give their children fever medicine: poll

By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, Feb. 20, 2023 (HealthDay News) — Getting a child’s fever down isn’t always necessary, but parents often do.

“Often, parents worry that their child has a fever and want to do everything they can to bring down their temperature. However, they may not know that usually the main reason for treating a fever is just to keep their child comfortable,” said Dr. Susan Woolfordco-director of the CS Mott Children’s Hospital National Child Health Survey at the University of Michigan Health, Ann Arbor.

“Some parents may rush immediately to give their children medication, but it’s often best to let the fever run its course,” Woolford said in a university press release. “Lowering a child’s temperature usually does not help cure their illness any faster. In fact, a low fever helps fight infection. There is also the risk of giving too much medication when it is not needed, which can have side effects.

The survey surveyed nearly 1,400 parents of children aged 12 and under between August and September 2022.

The results showed that even though parents recognize the benefits of low fever in fighting infection, about a third of them would still give their child fever medication at temperatures below 100.4 .

Half would do so at a temperature between 100.4 and 101.9, while around a quarter of parents would give another dose later to help prevent the fever from returning.

The most common way of taking the temperature of their children among the parents surveyed was with a forehead or mouth scan. Less than a sixth used auricular, axillary or rectal methods.

“Whatever device is used, it is important that parents review the instructions to ensure that the method is appropriate for the age of the child and that the device is placed correctly when measuring temperature. “Woolford said.

Sometimes a forehead reading can be inaccurate if the scanner is held too far away or if the child’s forehead is sweaty, and ear thermometers are not recommended for newborns. Rectal temperatures are more accurate in infants and young children. Ear thermometers can be accurate if used correctly. Oral temperatures are accurate in children able to hold a thermometer in their mouth closed. Armpit temperatures are the least accurate method.

About two-thirds of parents said they would use a cool washcloth on their child before giving fever medicine. Most said they always or usually noted the time of each dose and took their child’s temperature again before giving another dose.

It is important to know that although fever can work against viruses and bacteria, fever medications can mask the symptoms.

“Medications used to lower temperatures also treat pain, but pain is often a sign that helps locate the source of an infection,” Woolford said. “By masking pain, anti-fever medications can delay making a diagnosis and delay receiving treatment if needed.”

Parents of young children should avoid using combination cold medicine with fever medicine, Woolford warned.

Alternatives to help relieve discomfort include keeping the room cool, not allowing them to overwork, dressing them in light clothing, and keeping them hydrated with liquids or popsicles.

If the feverish child is an infant less than 3 months old, it’s time to call the doctor. Call the doctor at any sign of fever in this age group, advised Woolford.

Also call the doctor for children 4 months to 12 months old if fever is accompanied by decreased activity, increased irritability, or decreased urination.

Call if the child has signs of pain or does not act on their own even when their temperature drops.

Other times to contact the doctor are if the fever reaches 104 degrees or if the fever persists for more than 24 hours in children under 2 years old, or more than three days in children 2 years and older.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has more on fever in healthy children.

SOURCE: Michigan Medicine – University of Michigan, press release, February 20, 2023

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