Baby fever management, scientific choice of fever reduction method

Author: Wurikhan Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region People's Hospital Deputy Director Pharmacist

Luo Xuan Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region People's Hospital

Reviewer: Zhao Jie, Chairman of the Chinese Medical Association Clinical Pharmacy Branch, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University

Chief Pharmacist Professor

If your child has a fever, parents should not worry. Here are some ways to reduce the fever.

1. How to choose between antipyretic suppositories and oral antipyretic drugs?

The dosage of antipyretics for children needs to be calculated based on their weight, because the absorption of suppositories is easily affected by intestinal feces, and they are often fixed doses, which makes it difficult to accurately use the medicine according to the baby's weight. In order to better ensure the dosage and safety of the baby's medication, it is recommended that when the baby is able to take it orally, oral preparations that can be accurately calculated according to weight should be used.

Antipyretic suppositories are generally used for babies who vomit after oral medication or babies who are not suitable for oral medication during sleep. It is convenient to use the medicine, and suppositories can avoid drug irritation to the gastrointestinal tract. When using the medicine, it should be inserted deep into the anus, which is more conducive to the effectiveness of the medicine. It is important to choose a small dose according to the recommended dose in the instructions. Here, parents should be reminded that the ingredients such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen in the antipyretic suppository are effective because they are absorbed by the human body. If used multiple times, it is necessary to take the medicine at intervals of 4 to 6 hours. Do not take the medicine frequently to avoid adverse consequences such as hypothermia and drug poisoning caused by overdose. And pay attention to monitoring body temperature after taking the medicine to avoid hypothermia.

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2. Misunderstandings about the use of antipyretics

× Use antipyretics early to prevent febrile convulsions.

Antipyretics cannot effectively prevent febrile convulsions. It is recommended that when a baby who has had a febrile convulsion has a fever, parents should pay attention to controlling the sudden rise in body temperature. Physical cooling should be performed when the axillary temperature is <38℃, and antipyretics should be given when it is ≥38℃. Physical cooling can also be used to assist in reducing fever.

× Physical cooling is not effective. When fever occurs, antipyretics should be given if the axillary temperature does not reach 38.5℃.

Patient and meticulous care is key when the baby has a fever. Physical cooling should be done properly: warm water bath (do not use cold water or alcohol bath), the water temperature should be between 34 and 37 degrees Celsius, wipe the neck, armpits, elbows, groin and other parts, and wipe for more than 10 minutes each time. Drink more water after fever (it is recommended to drink boiled water) and urinate more to help the baby's body temperature drop. Antipyretics can irritate the gastric mucosa, affect appetite, and even have adverse reactions such as allergies, so it is important to grasp the indications for medication.

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× The fever subsided and the disease was cured.

Fever is a clinical symptom of the baby's illness. The use of antipyretics can only solve the symptom of fever. Therefore, if the baby's illness, such as a cold, is not cured, the baby may have a fever again. Parents do not need to be too anxious. Most baby colds are caused by viruses and will generally heal on their own in 5 to 7 days. During this period, the baby may still have repeated fevers.

3. What kind of care should be given to children before and after taking antipyretics?

1. Pay attention to replenishing water. Before taking ibuprofen, you should pay special attention to replenishing enough water, because it has a strong antipyretic effect and can cause profuse sweating, aggravating the dehydration caused by fever.

2. Change clothes in time. After taking the medicine, if the baby's fever subsides and sweats, the sweat-soaked clothes should be changed as soon as possible, and replaced with dry clothes to ensure the baby's comfort after the fever subsides.

3. Measure body temperature frequently before and after administration, and provide physical cooling when appropriate. Do not use alcohol to wipe and cool down at home to avoid serious consequences of alcohol allergy or poisoning.

4. Ensure rest and sleep, eat some easily digestible food, take good care of your oral cavity, and rinse your mouth with salt water after eating.

5. Do not use antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs (anti-inflammatory drugs) on your own.

Summary of key points:

—Accurately measuring body temperature is key.

—The baby's body temperature may rise suddenly. Parents must closely observe the baby's mental state, measure the body temperature frequently, and use antipyretics appropriately. Antipyretics can be used when the axillary temperature is ≥38.5℃. After the fever subsides, actively look for the cause of the fever. If the high fever does not subside or the fever persists, seek medical attention in time. When the temperature is less than 38.5℃, patient care should be taken, physical cooling should be done, and the body temperature should be measured frequently.

—Babies with a history of convulsions should be given antipyretics in a timely manner (axillary temperature ≥ 38°C or before reaching the temperature threshold for previous convulsions).

—Recommended antipyretic drugs include acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

—Use medications in accordance with the instructions and strictly follow the dosing intervals.

—Give your baby plenty of water after taking antipyretics.

—When your baby has a fever, you should avoid "covering the baby's sweat". You should keep the baby warm in the early stage of fever (when the baby is having chills), and loosen the baby's clothes appropriately after the body temperature drops and the baby sweats, so that the baby will be more comfortable.