Antipyretic for infants. Antipyretics for children

No matter how hard you try to protect your child from colds and viruses, the insidious enemy is not asleep and is waiting for the right moment. A symptom that you simply cannot ignore is a high temperature.

But what to give when the baby is several months old and there is no way to get a doctor’s consultation? There are antipyretic drugs for children that are allowed to be used from infancy, all that remains is to study the recommendations and all contraindications.

Release form

Before you move on to researching approved medications, you need to decide what form of fever medication for children you need. So, any product can be in tablet form, both in regular and capsule form, in the form of a powder for preparing a suspension, syrup, in the form of rectal suppositories, ampoules for intravenous administration.

• Candles. Ideal for your baby. You don’t even need to wake up your baby to light the candle, and you’ll be sure that the baby won’t burp or spit out the medicine. The only drawback is that the action time begins 40 minutes after administration;
• Syrup. Your little gourmet should appreciate the sweet taste of the medicinal syrup, the main thing is to make sure that he drinks the full dose and does not spill the contents of the spoon. The medicine begins to act after 20 minutes;

Important! You must observe whether this drug causes an allergic reaction in the child, which the cheeks will immediately tell you about, and you must also adhere to age-specific recommendations regarding the amount of syrup consumed at a time.

• Pills. Getting a small child to take a pill is not an easy task. Of course, such a medicine acts quickly, and there are fewer additives in it than in syrup, but will the baby be able to swallow the pill? A good option is chewable tablets, but it is not advisable to use them before 2 years of age. It is also important to ensure that the child swallows the medicine and does not burp or spit it out;
• Suspension. Not a bad option if the baby does not tolerate sweet syrup well or cannot swallow a pill. You dilute the powder with water and, using a medicine syringe, carefully pour the medicine into the child’s mouth.

Please note that each drug has age restrictions, and often medications that help with fever for children 3 years old are not approved for infants.

In the list of approved drugs for children under three years of age you will see 2 active ingredients: paracetamol and ibuprofen. Homeopathic remedies are also allowed. But age restrictions rather relate to the form of release:

1. So, you can give suspensions to your baby from one month of age;
2. syrups – from 3 months;
3. suppositories depending on the manufacturer and dosage from 1-3 months;
4. A newborn should not be given an antipyretic without the permission of a specialist.

Review of medications for fever

All approved antipyretics for high fever in children can be divided into three categories: drugs based on paracetamol, ibuprofen and homeopathic remedies. It is not possible to say unequivocally what the best cure for fever is for children, since it is necessary to take into account individual tolerance and the nature of the disease.

All medications based on aspirin and analgin fall into the taboo zone for up to three years; they are used only in emergency cases.

Paracetamol and its analogues

Instructions for use:

• Prescribed for elevated temperature from 38 degrees and severe pain;
• Do not use if you are under one month of age, have kidney or liver disease, have diabetes, or are diagnosed with a congenital liver disease called Gilbert's syndrome. Inadmissible in case of individual intolerance identified earlier;
• As a result of using the drug, the baby may develop a rash, itching, redness, Quincke's edema, anemia and other disorders in the blood structure;
• In case of an overdose, the child may experience nausea, dizziness, pallor and weakness, as well as lack of appetite;
• Analogues with the main active ingredient - Panadol Baby, Eferalgan, Kalpol, Tsefekon, Dofalgan.

Medicines for fever for children under one year of age based on paracetamol are prescribed in the form of rectal suppositories or syrup. It is important for you to accurately determine the dosage and monitor whether the child has any side effects after using the drug.

Ibuprofen and its analogues

An excellent antipyretic that you can safely give to your baby after reading the contraindications. Ibuprofen and its analogs are prescribed to a child who cannot take paracetamol due to a contraindication or individual intolerance.

Instructions for use:

1. An effective antipyretic;
2. The reason for refusing ibuprofen-based drugs should be allergies, which manifest themselves as a rash or cough, bronchial asthma, various diseases of the circulatory system, problems with the kidneys or liver;
3. If your child is under 3 years old, you cannot take Ibuprofen or Ibufen; for children, a special Nurofen syrup based on ibuprofen is suitable;
4. After using the drug, your baby may experience side effects such as nausea and vomiting, upset stomach and abdominal pain, headaches or dizziness, anemia, skin rashes and redness, bronchospasm;
5. All of the side effects listed above can also occur in case of overdose, so you should carefully monitor the daily dose of the antipyretic drug that your child takes;
6. The pharmacy chain can offer you the following ibuprofen-based drugs: tableted Ibuprofen, Ibufen suspension, Nurofen in the form of a suspension, syrup or suppositories;
7. Regarding pricing policy, pure Ibuprofen in tablets is the most budget option, but it can only be taken by children over 6 years old.

You can give suppositories and suspensions to your child starting from the age of three months.

Homeopathic remedies

Homeopathic medicines are among the safest, but, unfortunately, not the cheapest antipyretics for children under one year of age. A popular remedy is Viburkol in suppositories.

• Plant-based preparations have a complex effect; they will not only reduce your baby’s temperature, but will also act as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic;
• The composition of Viburkol is large, and each component is unique. Calcium carbonicum Hahnemann relieves inflammatory processes in the upper respiratory tract and relieves aching bones during colds (read the current article: How to protect a child from colds?>>>);
• Chamomile helps well with coughs and chills, is indispensable for toothaches, and in the case of a baby, when teething;
• Sleep-herb is a powerful anti-inflammatory component that will cope with otitis media, conjunctivitis, runny nose and dry cough (read the article: Drops for the common cold for a newborn >>>);
• Belladonna will help with coughs and also relieve cramps caused by high fever;
• Nightshade is good in the fight against cough and chills (read the article on the topic: How to treat a cough in an infant?>>>);
• Plantain fights fever, toothache and headache.
• The contraindications column indicates only the child’s individual intolerance to any of the components of the drug;
• It can be taken from birth, the main thing is to stick to the doses, for example, up to six months a child can be given no more than two suppositories per day.

Please note that treatment with Viburkol continues even after the temperature has subsided. For maximum healing effect, the child needs to be administered suppositories for 5-7 days.

Auxiliary treatment for high fever in a child

As your baby's temperature rises, your baby's body may react differently. In some cases, he is literally bursting with heat, the skin is pinkish and moist, the cheeks are red, the forehead is hot. Do not rush to give an antipyretic, especially if the temperature is below 39 degrees.

Try to increase heat transfer by drinking plenty of fluids, ventilating the room and maintaining a comfortable air temperature; you can wipe the baby with a towel soaked in water.

Another thing is pale fever. If you notice that the baby, at a high temperature, is pale and weakly breathing, his hands and feet are icy, and he himself is very chilly and afraid, then it’s time to act. You give your child an antipyretic, antiallergic, and antispasmodic. Effective in this situation is bed rest, warm wrapping and warming the legs and arms.

Antispasmodics

Antispasmodics are needed for pale fever. The most popular are No-shpa and Papaverine.

1. Medicines based on drotaverine will help dilate blood vessels and reduce the child’s body temperature;
2. Papaverine will help relieve bronchospasm;
3. Contraindications – age up to 6 months for Papaverine, and up to one year for No-shpa. Children with kidney and liver diseases, low blood pressure, and individual intolerance to drug components should not take antispasmodics;
4. Nausea and vomiting, dizziness, increased heart rate or vice versa, lethargy and drowsiness - these can be side effects from the use of lubricants, especially in overdose.

No-spa is prescribed no earlier than 1 year; if the child categorically refuses to take the bitter-tasting tablet, the drug can be administered intramuscularly using the product in the form of injection ampoules.

Triple injection

In emergency cases, when the child’s condition is worsening by the minute, and antipyretics cannot alleviate the condition, you can use a mixture of antispasmodic, analgesic and antiallergic drugs.

• Used only in emergency cases and not earlier than 6 months;
• Do not use if appendicitis is suspected;
• The injection mixture may contain Analgin, Suprastin or Diphenhydramine, as well as No-shpa or Papaverine;
• For pink fever in children aged 1-3 years, you can replace the injection with tablets: Paracetamol, Suprastin, Analgin;
• For pale fever, the tandem of No-shpa, Analgin and Paracetamol is effective.

This treatment is used once and in cases where other medications are ineffective.

Doses and age of the child

Depending on the baby’s age and weight, the dosage of the drug changes:

1. Dosage of the suspension for a child under 3 months of age - 2 ml, from 3 to 6 months - 2.5-5 ml, from one year - 5 ml;
2. Suppositories are prescribed to a child under 6 months no more than 2 times a day, after that - up to 4 times a day;

Ryzhova Anastasia, pediatrician. Especially for the site Lessons for Moms

Fever is one of the common symptoms of viral infections and colds. Significant hyperthermia can lead to negative consequences. Parents need to clearly know when to bring down a high fever, and which antipyretics for children are the most effective and safe. It is advisable to use any medications as prescribed by a doctor. Before giving your child medicine, it is important to carefully read the instructions and not exceed the recommended age dosages.

Classification of elevated temperature

There are 4 stages of hyperthermia:

1. Low-grade fever;
2. Febrile;
3. Pyretic;
4. Hyperpyretic.

Low-grade fever– this is an increase to figures of 37°C-38°C. Antipyretic drugs should not be used in such cases, since high temperature is one of the body’s means of fighting infectious agents. With hyperthermia, the production of antibodies increases and metabolic processes accelerate.

Important:Unjustified use of antipyretics can only prolong the course of the disease.

ABOUT febrile they say when the thermometer shows 38°C-39°C. According to WHO recommendations, this temperature does not need to be reduced, but domestic pediatricians have a slightly different opinion. In this case, it is important to assess the general condition of the baby - if he is lethargic or constantly capricious, it is better to give an antipyretic.

Note:It is believed that it is advisable to reduce even the temperature of 37.5 ° C -38 ° C in babies during the first 3 months of life.

Pyretic– 39°C-41°C is an absolute indication for taking antipyretics. It is especially important to bring down a high temperature if the child has pathologies of the nervous system (in particular -) or a history of febrile seizures.

Hyperpyretic, i.e. exceeding 41°C, poses a serious threat to human health and even life. If you see such numbers on the thermometer scale, you should immediately call an ambulance!

Which dosage forms to choose?

For young children, antipyretics are available in the form of syrups and rectal suppositories. Suppositories are administered to very young children who cannot yet drink syrup from a spoon or simply refuse to swallow it.

The advantage of syrups is their rapid action (due to the high absorption rate of the components) and the duration of the effect.

For children who are already eating regular food, antipyretic chewable tablets or lozenges can be offered. Solid dosage forms, i.e. tablets or capsules, can be crushed and given to the baby, after mixing with water or juice.

The most effective and safe antipyretics for children

The most effective medications for high fever in children are drugs based on ibuprofen and paracetamol.

Ibuprofen series

can be given to children from the first days of life, but to babies under 3 months - only as prescribed by a doctor! A single dose is 5-10 mg per 1 kg of weight; the time interval between doses is at least 6 hours.

Nurofen suppositories are as effective as syrup, but side effects are much less common.

Note:deterioration of general well-being against the background of hyperthermia often leads to the child refusing not only food, but also drinking. Consuming plenty of fluids is one of the most important conditions for a quick recovery, since drinking plenty of fluids accelerates the removal of toxins from the body. Normalizing the temperature facilitates the procedure of “unsoldering” a small patient.

Ibuprofen in the form of rectal suppositories is the optimal drug for reducing fever in children from 3 months to 2 years. It should be remembered that Ibuprofen may adversely affect the child’s liver, so it is recommended to consult a pediatrician before starting use.

Children's Motrin helps quickly cope with high fever and pain. Possible side effects include the appearance of skin rashes (hypersensitivity), as well as vomiting and diarrhea.

Products containing Paracetamol (acetaminophen)

A single dose of Paracetamol is determined at the rate of 10-15 mg per 1 kg of child weight. Frequency of administration - no more than 4 times a day, observing a time interval of 4 hours. The product reduces the indicator by 1-1.5°C, which is not enough at pyretic temperatures. For very high numbers, it is recommended to give preference to Nurofen.

Panadol (suspension based on sugar syrup) is considered one of the best antipyretic drugs for young children, including infants. The undoubted advantage of this remedy is that it does not lead to a decrease in diuresis. Thanks to the free removal of excess fluid from the body, such a serious complication of diseases as cerebral edema is prevented.

Calpol, which comes in syrup form, can be given to babies 3 months and older. This drug has virtually no side effects. In rare cases, allergic rashes may appear on the skin. After taking Calpol, the baby's temperature begins to return to normal within 20-30 minutes.

Cefekon-D in the form of rectal suppositories is characterized not only by antipyretic, but also analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Suppositories can be administered to babies from 1 month of age.

Efferalgan in suppositories can be used to reduce fever in infants from 4 weeks of age. Contraindications for use are liver and kidney diseases, as well as intestinal disorders (diarrhea). Pharmaceutical companies also produce Efferalgan in powder form, which when diluted with water produces a pleasant-tasting drink. It can be given to children starting from 2 years of age.

Other drugs

If Ibuprofen and Paracetamol are ineffective, Nimesulide (Nise, Nimulid) can be used as prescribed by a doctor. This “reserve” drug is produced in the form of suspensions (for patients from 2 years of age), dispersible tablets (prescribed to children from 3 years of age and older, and regular 100 mg tablets (for children and adolescents from 12 years of age).

For a single use or in case of hypersensitivity to the above drugs, Analgin (metamizole sodium) can be used. Its long-term use leads to inhibition of hematopoiesis (blood-forming function). For children under 12 years of age, it is administered intramuscularly in the form of a solution, and for children from 6 months of age - rectally in the form of suppositories.

Certain drugs with an antipyretic effect, often used for diseases in adults, are strictly contraindicated in children. These drugs, in particular, include Acetylsalicylic acid (), which leads to serious liver damage.

Traditional medicine recipes for temperature

If you urgently need to bring down your baby’s temperature, but you don’t have any of the drugs mentioned at hand, you can resort to folk remedies.

You can reduce the temperature in children with the help. It needs to be diluted with water 1:1, and the resulting solution should be rubbed over the baby’s entire body (except for the face) to improve heat transfer. Let the child sweat thoroughly, then change him into dry clothes and cover him with a blanket. Avoid getting vinegar in your eyes or mucous membranes - even low concentrations can cause serious irritation.

Tea with will help cope with high temperatures. The drink increases sweating. It should not be given to young children, since the likelihood of developing is relatively high. Caution should also be exercised if the child has been diagnosed with stomach diseases.

Note:It is very important to give an antipyretic in time if shortness of breath develops as the temperature rises, as well as diarrhea or vomiting leading to rapid dehydration.

A high temperature signals to parents that a child is sick, but many adults are confused and do not know how to properly act to help a child with a fever. Some immediately decide to give an antipyretic, without waiting for high numbers on the thermometer, others are afraid to give medications, believing that at a high temperature, bacteria and viruses will die faster and recovery will come sooner. Should I use antipyretics to reduce my baby's temperature? In what situations is their use necessary and what drugs can be given to children?

Does high temperature really develop immunity?

Scientific studies have confirmed the effect of elevated temperature on the rate of recovery from certain infections. During a fever, the child’s body produces large quantities of substances that inhibit viruses and other infectious agents, including interferon. At elevated temperatures, phagocytosis is activated and more antibodies are produced.

However, this does not happen in all children and not with all infections, and sometimes the harm from high fever is much greater than its help in a quick cure.

When should you lower your temperature?

In most cases, it is not recommended to bring down an elevated temperature below +39 degrees, however, there are situations when it is worth giving an antipyretic drug even if the numbers on the thermometer slightly increase:

• If there is a risk of seizures, if the child has had febrile seizures in the past or has diseases of the nervous system.
• For serious illnesses, for example, in the presence of pathology of the cardiovascular system.
• In babies up to 2-3 months of age.
• When a child suffers a fever very seriously, he complains of severe headaches, muscle aches, and poor health.

We also note that if a child has a high fever and abdominal pain, antipyretic drugs should not be given before the emergency doctor arrives, so as not to affect the diagnosis.

Forms

Antipyretic medications are available in the following forms:

• Rectal suppositories.
• Syrup.
• Chewable tablets.
• Medicine.
• Coated tablets.

Liquid forms have a faster effect on the child. When the baby is given syrup, the temperature begins to drop within 20-30 minutes. For suppositories that are inserted into the rectum, the effect begins later (after 30-40 minutes), but it lasts longer.

Suppositories are more preferable in cases of fever accompanied by bouts of vomiting, as well as in cases of difficulty swallowing. In addition, they are more in demand for use in infants in the first months of life, since giving liquid medicine to such children is problematic. The choice falls on candles even when the child has a tendency to allergies, since various chemical compounds are added to tablets and syrups for aromatization and taste.

Review of the most popular medications

In childhood, the main drugs used to reduce fever are paracetamol and ibuprofen. They are produced by many pharmaceutical companies in different forms and under different names. The effect of these drugs has been well studied and tested in a large number of studies. In addition, they are sold without a prescription in most countries of the world. Nimesulide is also used to treat older children.

Comparison of ibuprofen and paracetamol

To reduce the temperature in most cases, you can get by with paracetamol.

Products by age

In the treatment of children, all medications should be selected according to age, which also applies to antipyretic medications. In addition, which drugs in this group have age restrictions.

Newborns up to 3 months

In children of this age, the use of any medications, including antipyretics, should be supervised by a doctor. Only a pediatrician should prescribe paracetamol, although this drug is used in infants from 1 month of age, after having previously examined the child. Ibuprofen-based medications should not be used in infants under 3 months of age. Paracetamol in such babies is used mainly in the form of suppositories, as well as suspensions.

Infants up to one year old

An increase in temperature in infants under one year of age is often associated with teething, as well as a reaction to the introduction of a vaccine, but can also indicate an infectious disease.

For babies from 3 to 12 months, both ibuprofen and paracetamol are equally often prescribed. Up to 6 months of age, suppositories are often prescribed, and older babies are given the remedy in the form of syrup.

From one to three years

For children over 12 months of age, both paracetamol and ibuprofen-based medications can be prescribed. Syrup is often recommended for babies of this age, but rectal suppositories are also possible, especially in cases where the baby is vomiting or has severe sore throat. If a child has signs of ARVI, paracetamol is usually prescribed, and in cases of severe inflammation and pain, ibuprofen is often prescribed.

Over 3 years old

At this age, the child may be prescribed antipyretic tablets if the child can swallow them. There are also chewable tablets that the child must chew. Syrups and suspensions are also very popular for reducing fever in children over 3 years of age, since they are easy to dose, and due to their sweet taste, most children do not protest against such medications.

From 6 years

Since the dosage of antipyretic syrups at this age already requires a fairly large volume of medication, school-age children are more often prescribed the tablet form.

From the age of 12, you can give tablets containing nimesulide, especially if the high temperature is accompanied by severe pain (this drug has a strong analgesic effect).

How is an antipyretic given?

• Medicines that reduce body temperature during fever are not given systematically. They are used only in cases of increased temperature.
• Repeated use of the antipyretic drug is allowed at least 4 hours after taking the previous dose.
• You cannot exceed a single dose of the drug.
• It is allowed to use an antipyretic drug up to 4 times in one day.
• To reduce irritation to the digestive tract, an antipyretic can be given to the child during meals or washed down with milk.

Folk remedies

Traditional methods of reducing fever include the use of medicinal tea, to which linden blossom, raspberries, and cranberries are added. Such drinks have a diaphoretic and antiseptic effect, but parents should give this tea very carefully (allergies are possible) and only as an addition to other drinks.

Doctors categorically do not recommend folk remedies such as rubbing a child’s body using vinegar or alcohol-containing liquid, considering them dangerous to children’s health.

Contraindications

Antipyretics should not be prescribed for:

• Hypersensitivity;
• Ulcerative lesions of the digestive system;
• Severe kidney disease;
• Active and severe liver diseases;
• Bleeding in the digestive tract.

In addition, over-the-counter antipyretics should not be used before the age of 1 month.

Possible side effects

Due to the large number of side effects and the risk of developing allergies, damage to the gastrointestinal tract, brain and other organs, children are not prescribed aspirin and analgin, but even drugs approved for use in children have their own negative effects. Thus, large doses of paracetamol have a damaging effect on the liver and kidneys.

Taking ibuprofen may cause heartburn, nausea, rash, headaches, dizziness, swelling, ringing in the ears and other side effects. In rare cases, this drug can seriously impair kidney function and negatively affect blood formation. Rare side effects of ibuprofen include stomach or intestinal bleeding.

When should you call a doctor?

Calling a doctor is recommended in all cases of fever in a child, since only a specialist can accurately determine what caused the fever and then prescribe the necessary treatment. However, there are situations that require immediate medical intervention.

Call an ambulance if your child has a fever and:

• He is drowsy and lethargic and refuses to drink or eat.
• An attack of convulsions began.
• The baby has chronic diseases, especially heart disease.
• Stays at a high level for longer than 3 days.

It is also important to call a doctor if side effects of fever-reducing medications occur. Consultation with a pediatrician is necessary if a rash, abdominal pain, swelling, difficulty breathing, yellowing of the skin, darkening of the urine, lightening of the stool, black stool and other warning symptoms occur. Seek medical help in cases where the child has already started to recover, and then the temperature rises again.

• If, in addition to a high temperature, the child shows signs of inflammation or has severe pain, he should be given ibuprofen.
• If a high temperature appears in a baby in the first year of life, he should be given paracetamol as a safer remedy.
• If you need to quickly help your baby, choose an ibuprofen suspension. This form of this antipyretic drug will have a faster effect.
• If a child has previously had allergic reactions, it is better to choose suppositories for him, since they do not contain chemical additives that can cause allergies.

• Heat
• Doctor Komarovsky
• With vomiting
• With a cough
• Antipyretics

Increased temperature in children of different ages is associated with various reasons. In some cases, the use of medications to reduce fever is not necessary, but there are situations when antipyretic drugs for children need to be on hand. Is it worth giving antipyretics to children and which one is better to buy?

Not all parents know when to lower their child’s temperature. The causes of fever can be associated with chronic or acute diseases, with improper functioning of the endocrine and nervous systems, it can also be ordinary overheating or a reaction to a vaccine.

In any case of detection of any excess of the temperature norm, it is necessary to contact a pediatrician to determine the causes and prescribe appropriate treatment. You cannot neglect the child’s health and treat the disease yourself.

When is it necessary to reduce the fever? All children individually relate to increased body temperature. Some people behave sluggishly at 37 - 37.5 C, they can fall asleep on the go or throw tantrums. Others, at 38.1 C, actively rush around the house and feel good.

Important to remember: at 38 C the body begins to independently fight the disease, producing interferon and increasing immunity. It is not worth reducing the temperature to 38.4 C. Give your child plenty of fluids.

At elevated temperatures, there is a better chance of defeating a viral infection than by knocking it down. The process of fighting immunity in this case will be considered natural.

What to do if the temperature is more than 38.5 C?

At high temperatures, convulsions may begin. This cannot be allowed. It is recommended to bring down the body temperature to 38.5 C. In infants, temperature balance follows at night.

A temperature of 37.5 C in case of nervous or endocrine diseases can aggravate the situation, so it must be brought down from this level. Also, seizures with the same column require quick measures.

Any parents should have a printed reminder sign on hand. It will indicate the child’s age, at what point to start lowering the temperature and what to do.

At any age, it is necessary to monitor temperature fluctuations. Do not forget that rubbing with alcohol and vinegar is contraindicated for any age group. The dosage should correspond to the weight and age of the child.

It is convenient for children under 3 years of age to give medications in the form of syrup or suspension. Candles are not inferior in efficiency and convenience. Older children can be persuaded to take pills.

Under no circumstances should you prescribe medications to your child yourself.

Every mother is concerned about the health of her own child. The slightest changes in the baby's temperature greatly worry parents. At what temperature are children given antipyretics? How to help your child as effectively as possible without causing harm? Until when should you wait and should you lower the temperature to 38⁰? Should I call a doctor or can I handle it myself? at home? Many parents ask these questions, especially in the midst of colds. So, let’s figure out at what temperature children are given antipyretics and what to do if such a situation arises.

How dangerous is a rise in temperature?

Indicators on a thermometer up to 39.5⁰ are not dangerous for the body - this is what doctors say. But having discovered a child’s temperature above 37⁰, mothers begin to sound the alarm (especially young ones). In most cases, it is a consequence of the onset of a cold. But there are also serious, complex diseases that begin to manifest themselves with the onset of fever. To make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment, a doctor is needed. It should be remembered that any disease is easier to cure at an early stage.

A child whose temperature does not fall or constantly rises for several days must be seen by a doctor. A child's body is more susceptible to dehydration, and without appropriate treatment, prolonged high fever is dangerous.

Initial measures

If the child has degrees or lower, special and emergency measures should not be taken. This means that the body must try to cope on its own, developing for itself the correct algorithm of actions and appropriate antibodies in the event of a recurrence of such diseases. The task of parents is to facilitate this process in every possible way. Encourage your child to drink more often than usual. At the same time, it is not necessary to force the child to drink decoctions, infusions and milk with honey, blindly adhering to grandmother’s recommendations. Only if the child agrees to it. But remember that in such a situation there will be enough water. The temperature of the liquid should be close to body temperature, but under no circumstances give it hot. Fruit drinks or compotes have a good effect.

What else can you do?

It is necessary to ensure the correct indoor microclimate. Stuffiness and heat contribute to the proliferation of bacteria and viruses, which the child’s body fights. Ventilate the room (without the presence of the child, of course), provide humidity (if you don’t have a humidifier, you can hang a wet towel on the radiator).

Dress your child in comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. There is no need to wrap him up, causing him to sweat. Some doctors recommend taking a short bath (36-37 degrees). This will help improve heat dissipation.

Old methods of rubbing with vodka, alcohol or vinegar should not be used. You should not rub your child with these liquids. Better let him sleep, sleep is the best doctor. The child will rest, and the body, without overexerting itself, can devote all its strength to fighting the infection.

If the temperature starts to rise

If a child has a temperature of 38 and begins to rise, but it is not possible to bring it down using home methods, it is necessary to turn to medication.

There are general recommendations. If the child’s age is from 0 to 2 months, then medications are given already at 38 degrees. If the child is more than three months old, then it is necessary to wait until the temperature reaches 39 degrees, and after reaching two years of age, antipyretics are used at temperatures above 39.5 degrees.

It is believed that 38 is not necessary for an infectious disease. This is due to the fact that the body should be given the opportunity to fight the aggressive agent on its own.

When do you need to bring down the temperature to 38⁰ and below?

But if the child exhibits additional symptoms, then temperature restrictions fade into the background. So, it is necessary to give an antipyretic drug at any temperature if:

• the child’s general condition is unsatisfactory, he refuses water and food, cries, is irritated or capricious, does not behave as usual;
• any rashes are noticed on the child’s skin;
• the child complains of pain in the ear or abdominal cavity;
• vomiting or diarrhea appeared;
• you observe a partial cessation of breathing;
• convulsions appeared;
• the child began to cough heavily and complain of chest pain;
• it hurts for the baby to go to the toilet;
• the temperature remains high and does not fall throughout the day;
• the child has a history of neurological diseases or serious diseases of the heart, kidneys, hepatitis or diabetes and the like;
• vaccinated, for example DPT.

Each parent should focus on the condition of their child. If your child feels well and there are no additional symptoms, then the answer to the question: “Should I lower the temperature to 38⁰ or higher?” - unambiguous: up to 39 degrees there is no need to offer the child antipyretics.

But if the baby feels unwell, even if he has 37.5⁰, then you can give him the appropriate drug. It should be noted that the presence of diseases of internal organs or a neurological nature also requires that even a low temperature be brought down.

at high temperature

At what temperature children are given an antipyretic also depends on the drug used. Today there are a great variety of means. But doctors identify two groups of medications that are the safest and most effective for children.

Paracetamol, produced in various forms, has a gentle effect. Suppositories, syrups, suspensions are the safest and are approved for children. Ibuprofen has a stronger and longer-lasting effect, but the number of contraindications and side effects is correspondingly greater. Release forms are also varied.

Analogs of antipyretics

Analogs of these drugs are widely known and probably exist in every home. Identical in composition to Paracetamol are: Panadol, Calpol, Efferalgan, Dofalgan, Tylenol, Dolomol. The well-known analogue of Ibuprofen is Nurofen.

Also in pediatrics, the homeopathic remedy “Viburkol” is often used. And drugs for adults such as Aspirin, Analgin, Phenacetin and the like cannot be used for children.

Release forms of Paracetamol and Ibuprofen

Each parent chooses which form of the drug to prefer independently or on the recommendation of a pediatrician. When choosing, you need to pay attention to the age of the child and the speed of action of the syrup or suppositories. Everything that is given orally - tablets, syrups, mixtures - acts faster (from 20 minutes to half an hour), but the child may refuse to take the medicine. Antipyretic syrup for children contains various aromatic additives that can trigger allergies. In case of vomiting or nausea, it is also better to give preference to suppositories.

The effect of suppositories is most effective - this is one of the most convenient dosage forms. The only negative is that they take effect after 40 minutes. Parents who want to bring down their child’s temperature should definitely wait for the effect and not give the child another dose of the medicine. Paracetamol, suppositories or syrup, reduces the temperature by 1-1.5 degrees after 30-40 minutes. Preparations based on Ibuprofen give a greater effect and last longer.

The dosage of each drug is determined according to the instructions or by the attending physician. Repeated administration of the drug should be no earlier than after 4 hours. A minimum interval between doses is possible only at high temperatures and poor health.

It is important to remember that Paracetamol, Ibuprofen and analogues only lower the temperature, but do not affect the cause of the disease. Antipyretics for children over one year of age are allowed in any form. For the little ones, it is better to choose suspension or candles.

Instead of a conclusion

So, during epidemics of ARVI or influenza, you need to know how to bring down a high temperature at home. If it rises, this is a sign that the body is fighting the infection. If the child is feeling normal, it is necessary to lower the temperature after exceeding 39 degrees. If there is pain, vomiting, or rashes, then such actions must be performed after the number 38.5 appears on the thermometer. If the child’s age is less than 3 months, then the temperature should be reduced after 38 degrees.

Medicines should ideally be prescribed by the attending physician. But it’s better to consult with your pediatrician in advance and be prepared. It makes sense to keep antipyretic syrup for children and candles at home in order to act more effectively in accordance with the situation.

It is necessary to strictly follow the instructions and not lower the temperature more often than indicated. Maintaining the correct dosage will help avoid side effects. Taking such drugs in advance or for prophylaxis while expecting a rise in temperature is strictly prohibited.

If a child has a temperature of 38⁰ or higher, there are no symptoms of a cold, but the child complains of pain in the abdomen - immediately call an ambulance, as this may be appendicitis. In such cases, do not lower the temperature, as this will only harm. If you experience convulsions, redness of the skin, vomiting or diarrhea, or difficulty breathing, you should seek emergency medical attention.

If your child has a fever for three days, be sure to consult a doctor to avoid dehydration and to prescribe the correct treatment.