Ask Your Pharmacist

My child has fever. What can I do? What medications should I give to my child?

Our body temperature fluctuates throughout the day depending on the activities we participate, with our usual temperature being 98.6^oF, or 37^oC.

One is considered to have fever when oral temperature is above 37.5^oC or when temperature taken by ear thermometer is above 38^oC. Fever can occur due to infections, illnesses, or some other causes (e.g. immunisation, overdressing). Treatment is aimed mainly to relieve discomfort and keep the temperature from increasing. This can be done by letting your child wear loose clothing, drink plenty of cool fluids and rest in a well-ventilated room. The use of cold compresses (ice bags, cold pads) can also help keep your child’s body temperature from escalating. Your child should be referred to a doctor if the temperature rises above 39⁰C (measured orally), has fever for more than 3 days or if he/she is less than 2 years old.

Non-prescription medications to treat fever (antipyretics) in children safely include those that contain paracetamol, and ibuprofen. It is important to note that there are various concentrations (ranging from 500mg/5ml to 120mg/5ml) of paracetamol available, and this will affect the amount you will be giving. Paracetamol is also known as acetaminophen.

Unlike paracetamol, which can be given regardless of mealtime, ibuprofen should be given after food whenever possible. Some studies suggest that ibuprofen is more effective in patients with fever above 39^oC (measured orally). There are currently no studies to show that alternating paracetamol with ibuprofen would be more effective as compared to when they are being used individually at the correct dose.

Source: Hie Szu Liang, Pharmacist, Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore

More information and advice can be obtained from your pharmacist. Send your questions to sthealth@sph.com.sg.