Home Remedies
A fever is the body's way to fight infection. If a fever is mild and does not interfere with eating or sleeping, you may not need to treat the fever. If the fever is making the patient uncomfortable, however, you should treat it. There are several ways to lower a patient's temperature.
- Sponge the skin with tepid water. Do not use alcohol -- the vapors can be dangerous!
- Bathe the patient in cool water, about 70°F.
- Give the patient an over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. See below for the recommended dosages of pain medication for children. Adults may also try aspirin. Do not give aspirin to anyone under 19 -- it may cause a rare but serious condition called Reye's syndrome.
If the fever remains above 103°F (39°C) for more than 2 hours of home treatment, call your doctor.
Dosages of Pain Medications for Children
Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen Dosages for Fever Relief*
| Weight of Child (in pounds) |
Acetaminophen Dosage (in mg) |
Ibuprofen Dosage (in mg) | ||
| 6 Months to 2 Years (temp. below 102.5°F) |
6 Months to 2 Years (temp. at or above 102.5°F) |
Over 2 Years |
||
| up to 12 (infants) |
40 | — | — | — |
| 13–17 | 80 | 25 | 50 | — |
| 18–23 | 120 | 50 | 100 | — |
| 24–35 | 160 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| 36–47 | 240 | — | — | 150 |
| 48–59 | 325 † | — | — | 200 |
| 60–71 | 325 † | — | — | 250 |
| 72–95 | 325 † | — | — | 300 |
| adolescents | 500 † | — | — | 400 |
*The recommended dosage for acetaminophen is 10 mg for every 2.2 pounds (1 kg) of the child's weight every 4 hours, up to 5 times in 1 day. The amounts given here are estimated dosages.
† The dosage of 325 mg of acetaminophen equals 1 regular tablet or capsule; 500 mg of acetaminophen equals 1 "extra strength" tablet or capsule.
The recommended dosage for ibuprofen depends on age, temperature, and weight and is given every 6–8 hours. The amounts given here are estimated dosages for children over 5 months.
