When and How to Treat a Fever

A fever is an increase in body temperature above a normal range. For
school purposes we define this as a temperature over 37.7C /100F.  The
causes of fever are many and include disease factors as well as overheating
due to heat stroke.  This article will discuss fevers caused by an illness.
One of your body’s natural defense mechanisms to an illness is an
increase in temperature. The heat produced has benefits that help you fight
the illness. These benefits include:
Promoting rest because you feel unwell.
Destroying organisms that are causing the illness
Increases the effect of your immune system response
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that if the
fever is under 101F/38.3C treatment is usually not necessary and fevers
under 102F/38.9C are in themselves not harmful to the body. However, if
your child has a history of febrile seizures or is very uncomfortable due to
aches and pains associated with the illness treatment of the fever is advised.
To make yourself or your child more comfortable keep the room at a
comfortable, cool temperature, rest, drink plenty of fluids and eat simple
foods that are easy to digest.
When a fever is over 102F/38.9C two methods to decrease the fever
are sponge baths and fever­reducing medicines. Sponge baths should be
done with slightly warm water, not cold. Do not use alcohol as it could be
absorbed by the skin or inhaled. Fever reducing medicines such as Panadol,
Tylenol and ibuprofen are effective in reducing fevers and easing aches and
pains. However they do not make you well. You may still be contagious to
others and your fever may return when the medicine wears off in 4­6 hours.
Therefore, if you are unwell, check your temperature before you leave home.
Always check your temperature before taking any fever reducing
medicines. If you have a fever over 100F/37.7C stay home. Do not go
back to school or work until your fever has been gone for 24 hours
without using medication to bring it down.

Here are some tips for using fever­reducing medication:

Do not use aspirin with children as it can cause Reyes
Syndrome, a potentially fatal illness.

Ibuprofen should not be given to babies under 6 months or
children who are dehydrated or vomiting.

Do not exceed the dosage listed for yourself or child.

 Tylenol and Panadol can be toxic to your liver.

Check the ingredients on other medication you take or give
your children.

 Many contain fever­reducing medicines.

 Look for acetaminophen or paracetamol on the list of ingredients. Also, make sure the
medication you give your children does not contain alcohol. 

This can be found in many over­the­counter cold and flu preparations.
A fever is the body’s natural defense against an illness. A mild
fever under 101F/38.3C will help fight off the illness. Fever­reducing
medicine is usually not necessary and in fact stops your body from
working against the illness. Your body needs lots of rest and fluids.
It is important both for the health of your child and the health of
others in the school community that students with fevers are kept at
home. Although fever­reducing medicines make lower the fever your
child still needs rest and may be contagious to others.  If your child has
a fever at school you will be asked to take your child home. Make sure
your fever is gone for 24 hours without using medication before you   
return to work or school.