kid fever: Bring it down, or "let it work"

[TechnoViking]

So my ex and I have a difference of opinion on this. We have two boys, ages 2 and 4.

I was brought up to believe that drugs are good, and that if you are not feeling well then you should take them to feel better.

She was brought up to believe that the side-effects of drugs are dangerous and, thus, medicine should only be taken in extreme situations.

I think we both agree that a high fever for young children needs to be brought down.

But is there any truth to the belief that letting a lower-grade fever (say 101 or 102) persist will cure the child faster?

By bringing the fever down, am I lengthening the duration of the bug? Or is she making the kid feel miserable by not giving him some Tylenol when he feels bad?

Edit: So the question is: Does letting high temperature (your body's natural defense) remain high help to kill the bug?

[jhynesrockmtn]

When my son was an infant we got the advice to let the fever run its course from our doc. He ended up having a febrile seizure from the temp. Scariest moment of my life. Never again, we treated his fevers after that.

https://www.google.com/health/ref/Febrile+seizures

I don't care what the docs say, I've watched a friends daughter turn into a veritable vegetable from uncontrolled seizures that started when she was 1, it wasn't something I was going to screw around with.

[masraum]

My mother was a nurse, I don't think she'd start to worry until it was up closer to 102. This may be why.

Febrile Seizures Fact Sheet: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

The majority of children with febrile seizures have rectal temperatures greater than 102 degrees F. Most febrile seizures occur during the first day of a child's fever.

[JavaBrewer]

I'm no doctor so YMMV but I have no problems with fever reducing medicine. My son has been very healthy but my younger daughter was very prone (like every other month) to fever lasting 2-3 days till she turned 8. We would treat with a cooling bath and some Ibuprofen. She's 10 now and is very healthy.

I think the bigger issue is parents, and some docs, over-prescribing antibiotics.

[M.D. Holloway]

Let it work its way out unless it goes above 104 then put in a cool water tub. Kids can take alot and a high fever is the bodies way of breaking the virus then it is able to produce an activated antigen. We never gave our Son anything to break a fever - now he never gets ill.

Also something to consider, it may sound harshe but it the kid feels like crap and you give them something to ease the pain what you are you really helping them with? Lety them understand the pain and work it through.

Be strong.

[stomachmonkey]

I think it's best to make a judgement call based on each situation.

My wife and I are opposite of you.

I leave meds as a last resort while my wife runs for the medicine chest for everything.

Sometimes you are better letting nature run its course. You may suffer a bit more but for a shorter period of time.

A fever is symptomatic of something else going on. You need to treat the root cause and not the fever. Fevers are a bodies way of killing of infection.

Same thing with the runs. Your body is trying to get rid of a bacterial infestation. Taking stuff like Imodium may keep you out of the bathroom but it also prolongs getting better.

[Rikao4]

paging Dr. Fluffer..
pick up the phone...

Rika

[Moses]

You're all nuts. Seriously.

[jyl]

I don't consider moderate fevers (like 102F) to be dangerous. This isn't based on any medical knowledge, just that my kids have had those temps frequently with no effects. I had those temps quite often as a child too.

I'll give my kids medication just to make them feel better. Don't see the point of toughing it out.

My daughter had some big fevers when she was a baby. On one occasion the digital thermometer read 106F, we got her temp down quickly via a water bath and took her to the pediatric ER, it was midnight in Rome. (The bill was like $20.) Another time she spent 4 days at 102-104F, we took her to the ER, it was in Toledo. (I don't think they even charged me.) She would throw up when temp got 104F and up. No lasting ill effects. I've been 104F as an adult, several times. Perhaps high temps just run in our family.

[berettafan]

our ped says treat for comfort/rest, not just to get a lower reading.

our little guy can run a fever too. 104+ many times.

[TechnoViking]

Originally Posted by Moses

You're all nuts. Seriously.

So....in your professional opinion, we should always treat a fever? There is no benefit to letting a fever persist?

[nostatic]

I'm a fan of leeches

[dan79brooklyn]

Our 2.5 year old son has had several high fevers. We treat it with tylenol if it gets above 102 and/or if he seems uncomfortable and can't sleep. The fevers never last more than 24 hours.

This is what our pediatrician told us to do.

[berettafan]

i employ the damp wash cloth patting technique as well.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by nostatic

I'm a fan of leeches

We must rid ourselve of the excess humors...

[Looking_for_911]

Originally Posted by berettafan

i employ the damp wash cloth patting technique as well.

Throw in a few soothing, kind words and this is the oldest known fever remedy for Southern Grandmothers!
Works every time!

[M.D. Holloway]

bloodletting and skull drills...back in the day that was the way

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by nostatic

I'm a fan of leeches

Me too, though not so much now with the wound vacs. Used to be you could get the arterial stuff back together, but you would get venous congestion, your stuff would turn purple and die. Stick leeches on the end and not only do you get the blood out, you get a groovy anti-coagulant. Maggots, while creepy, are nice because they only eat the dead stuff.

I would tend to do what the pediatrician quoted above said, treat if temp gets too hot. Gotta stay on top of it, little kids can get way hot and dehydrated fast. Plenty of fluids when they are running a fever, obviously, cause they lose water faster. You can alternate tylenol and ibuprofen, which allows you to treat more aggressively if needed.

[ddbach]

Hmm $8 per leech Buy Medicinal Leeches - pricing information

Maggots $98/ vial ~250 larvae http://www.monarchlabs.com/typeorders.htm

[jyl]

When my daughter was little, we were traveling, and used fever reducers in suppository form. Those were great - no coaxing a crying or puking 6 month old to drink a liquid, just pop it up her butt and it seemed to act very quickly. No one uses those in the US.