HIGH TEMPERATURE, or FEVER, is a normal and appropriate reaction of the body to infectious diseases. High temperature is often caused by a virus disease, but bacteria and other causes of inflammations may also cause high temperature.
HIGH TEMPERATURE AND ACHE RESULTING FROM INJECTIONS and high temperature caused by influenza can be treated at home using fever medicine and painkillers. If the child is active and in good health after the temperature has come down, there is no reason to see a doctor at night time. Follow the below guidelines to determine whether the child should be taken to see a doctor in the day time.
YOU SHOULD SEEK MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AT THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT IF:
the child's temperature does not decrease despite medication
the child has breathing difficulties
the child is very painful
the child is exceptionally tired
the child is under 3 months of age.
A CHILD WITH HIGH TEMPERATURE can be treated with fever medication. Suitable medication includes paracetamol (such as Panadol®) or ibuprofen (such as Burana®).
1. Paracetamol is suited for the treatment of high temperature and mild pain for people of all ages. The dosage is 15 mg per weight kilogram every 8 hours.
2. Ibuprofen can be used from the age of 3 months. The dosage is 10 mg per weight kilogram every 8 hours.
NOTE! The prescription medicine Pronaxen® must not be used as a fever medicine and painkiller simultaneously with an ibuprofen medicine.