Parents may be treating fevers too quickly
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A new poll suggests that 1 in 3 parents give children fever-reducing medicine even when it may not be necessary. While medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help when a child is uncomfortable, a mild fever is often the body’s natural way of fighting infection. Experts generally recommend focusing on the child’s overall behavior, hydration, and comfort rather than treating the number alone. Unnecessary use of fever medicine may increase the risk of dosing mistakes or side effects, so parents should follow age- and weight-based instructions and contact a doctor when symptoms are severe or concerning.
Source
Sakr, F., Toufaili, Z., Akiki, Z., Akel, M., Malaeb, D., Dabbous, M., & Salameh, P. (2022). Fever among preschool-aged children: a cross-sectional study assessing Lebanese parents' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding paediatric fever assessment and management. BMJ open, 12(10), e063013. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063013
Additional Reading
https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/20/health/children-fever-reducing-medicine-wellness