Any tips for reducing fever?

Specialties Pediatric

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I am looking for any tips on reducing fever in young children. Any tips would be great. Thanks!

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Specializes in cardiac/critical care/ informatics.

motrin works really well.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

Motrin is all I use for fever. I think Tylenol is useless for pediatric fevers.....

motrin works really well.
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Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

Actually - motrin and tylenol alternating works VERY well for pediatric fever. Keeping the kid well hydrated is the other key. Don't make them shiver - they generate more heat.

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I also recommend alternating Tylenol with Motrin every six hours for each, so the child would be getting something every three hours, and hydration is also key as state4s above.

Tepid sponge baths, the old standby, still work well.

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Please please keep in mind that Motrin/Advil (or any other Ibuprofen product) should not be used under infants 6 months or under. And you should probably check with your health care provider before using any ibuprofen product and before alternating Tylenol and Motrin, as some providers may not reccommend this. Also, making sure that your child is not overdressed and a warm bath can help. (Make sure your child does not shiver in a cool bath...otherwise, the temp can go back up!) :coollook:

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Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

But..We ARE health care providers :)

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Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

The problem with alternating motrin and tylenol is that it is difficult to explain it in such a way that the parent doesn't OD the kid on one or the other of the drugs. The max daily doses still need to be adhered to, but parents without healthcare background don't usually understand that. One study said it was better, the other said there was no difference and there is a risk of misinterpretation/misunderstanding between the provider and the parent.

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Well put...I am glad that you clarified that! That is the point I was trying to get across...I just didn't spell it all the way out like I probably should have!

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Specializes in Telemetry, ICU, Resource Pool, Dialysis.

I'm all for the Motrin/Tylenol alternating. My daughter had out of control fevers when she was little - 104 was typical for her. It wasn't until Motrin started being used for kids that I could get them down below 101. Tylenol did nothing by itself.

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Also remember that if your child isn't eating or drinking well, Motrin can be very hard on their little tummies. Just an FYI!

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Specializes in ER.

It all depends on how high the temp is and what the cause is. When we send kids home with a temp 102 gets the alternating tylenol and motin.

That's our general rule of thumb!

And no, I don't have any research to support it, but it's what the docs in our ER do.

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