How to Break a Fever in Children

Fevers are most often caused by your body raising its temperature to fight off an infection. Most bacteria and viruses are active in the human body at a temperature of around 98 degrees. This means that when the body raises its temperature, you get a better chance of successfully fighting off illness. Fevers are also not nearly as dangerous as once feared. Most fevers do not raise to higher than 105 or 106 degrees, and brain damage does not occur until the fever reaches 107 degrees or higher. However, fevers can cause discomfort, dehydration and an inability to sleep. Not all fevers in children need to be broken. If the fever is causing the types of problems mentioned, or if the temperature starts climbing dangerously high, steps should be taken to break the fever.

Things You'll Need

• Fan(s)
• acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Lukewarm bathwater

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Instructions

• 1

  Remove any excess clothing or blankets from the child. He should wear one layer of thin clothing, and use a single blanket for sleeping.

• 2

  Place the child in a cool room. Turn up the air conditioning if possible or turn a fan on the child.

• 3

  Administer either acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Children's Advil), for fever in children old enough to take this medication. Acetaminophen is not recommended for children under three months, and ibuprofen is not recommended for children under six months.

• 4

  Bathe the child in a lukewarm bath. Avoid bathwater that is too cold, or alcohol rubs, as they will cause the child to shiver. This will raise the child's core body temperature, adding to the problem.

• 5

  Be aware that fevers are the result of both minor illnesses and serious infections. Because it can often be hard to distinguish between the two, children with fevers should be brought to their pediatrician to be examined in many cases. Children less than three months old with a fever greater than 100.4 degrees, and children of any age with a fever greater than 105 degrees, should be seen by a doctor.