I know some people stay away from meds and some people are quick to medicate. I'm just wondering...at what point do YOU administer tylenol/motrin or other fever reducing meds? Once the fever reaches a certain temp? If the fever has persisted a certain # of hours? Immediately? Never?
haydn'smommy
09-11-2007, 06:23 AM
My general rule of thumb for my own baby and what I tell my patients is tylenol first, and only if temp is >101.5 or the child is uncomfortable. If the tylenol does not bring the temp down to something manageable in 45min, they may use Motrin. But fever is not the enemy; it is the body's natural way of fighting infection, to turn up the heat to kill the germ. When we take away fever, we take away the body's ability to fight. I don't consider fever significant in a young child unless it's over 102.5.
The only except is the child that has febrile seizures; then I say treat it immediately.
jls~Kain~Drake
09-11-2007, 06:46 AM
That's what I was thinking...that the fever is actually doing him good and is not necessarily the enemy. He's had a fever all night of about 100-101 and I haven't given him anything and didn't plan to...but I made an appt with the ped and if he's got a fever by the time we get there, I know they'll ask if I've given him anything. Or if anything (meds) has worked to bring down the fever.
zacharysma
09-11-2007, 06:55 AM
I think it first depends on age. 6 mos or younger and I administer and call the pediatrician. My kids (all 3 ) have a history of febrile seizures so I administer Motrin right off the bat at the first sign of a fever and then go with Tylenol, this is because Motrin works better for us and Tylenol maintains more. Also my kids fevers move so fast it is hard to administer before the onset of a seizure. Anyway, Motrin is harsh on their lil bellies so I dont like to use it all the time. I use Tylenol for pain like teething and stuff and motrin for the fevers. If it is a high fever we use the Motrin Tylenol combo every 4 hours.
