Should Fever be Treated?
>> Aug 23, 2014
I’m
not already in good health but I feel better today. I’ve got cold symptoms for
the last few days and I had fever during the night –it was hard for me to sleep
well. At first, I didn’t take any
medicine to reduce my fever as I’ve ever read that a fever is a sign that one’s
body is fighting infections. So, fever is not a bad thing, essentially. But
then I decided to take a drug as I already felt very uncomfortable.
I’m
still wondering, should we care for a fever or let the fever run its way? So, I
searched a little and found this guidance from mayoclinic.org.
Age
|
Temperature
|
What to do
|
Infants
|
||
0-3
months
|
100.4
F (38 C) or higher taken rectally
|
Call
the doctor, even if your child doesn't have any other signs or symptoms.
|
3-6
months
|
Up
to 102 F (38.9 C) taken rectally
|
Encourage
your child to rest and drink plenty of fluids. Medication isn't needed. Call
the doctor if your child seems unusually irritable, lethargic or
uncomfortable.
|
6-24
months
|
Above
102 F (38.9 C) taken rectally
|
Give
your child acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). If your child is age 6 months or
older, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) is OK, too. Read the label carefully
for proper dosage. Don't give aspirin to anyone age 18 years or younger. Call
the doctor if the fever doesn't respond to the medication or lasts longer
than one day.
|
Children
|
||
2-17
years
|
Up
to 102 F (38.9 C) taken rectally for children age 3 and younger, or taken
orally for children older than 3
|
Encourage
your child to rest and drink plenty of fluids. Medication isn't needed. Call
the doctor if your child seems unusually irritable or lethargic or complains
of significant discomfort.
|
2-17
years
|
Above
102 F (38.9 C) taken rectally for children age 3 and younger, or taken orally
for children older than 3
|
Give
your child acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin,
others). Read the label carefully for proper dosage, and be careful not to
give your child more than one medication containing acetaminophen, such as
some cough and cold medicines. Don't give aspirin to anyone age 18 years or
younger. Call the doctor if the fever doesn't respond to the medication or
lasts longer than three days.
|
Adults
|
||
18
and up
|
Up
to 102 F (38.9 C) taken orally
|
Rest
and drink plenty of fluids. Medication isn't needed. Call the doctor if the
fever is accompanied by a severe headache, stiff neck, shortness of breath,
or other unusual signs or symptoms.
|
18
and up
|
Above
102 F (38.9 C) taken orally
|
If
you're uncomfortable, take acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil,
Motrin, others) or aspirin. Read the label carefully for proper dosage, and
be careful not to take more than one medication containing acetaminophen,
such as some cough and cold medicines. Call the doctor if the fever doesn't
respond to the medication, is consistently 103 F (39.4 C) or higher, or lasts
longer than three days.
|
I
took medicine yesterday when my fever reached 39 C; so I think I have done the right thing. I’m
glad that this night the fever doesn’t come.