Suggest Treatment For Fever In A Person With Liver Cirrhosis

Brief Answer:
Give tepid sponging

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I would like to know if he has any other associated symptoms and whether chills and rigors are present. In case there is no other problem, tepid sponging should help in bringing down the temperature. If the temperature rises above 100, you need to give paracetamol/tylenol. No specific intervention is needed when the temperature is normal.

Hope that helps.

Regards

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Brief Answer:
It is important to bring the temperature down anyhow.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.

I understand that your father has cirrhosis and hence the liver's capacity to metabolize is limited. But it applies not only for medicines but also for protein metabolism and many other things that the body needs to do in its daily course.

Paracetamol is a relatively safe drug and can be given. But I would suggest giving it only if the temperature cannot be brought in control by tepid sponging. In case the temperature remains high, unless it is controlled fast, damage to brain may occur. So, you might need to give paracetamol if necessary. I would not suggest a dose modification. The regular dose of paracetamol is 15 mg/kg/dose. For an adult it is about 500 mg. You can try giving half a tablet and see if the temperature comes down. If it does not, full tablet would need to be given. The recommendations say to limit the maximum dose in a day to less than 2 - 4 g (varies with different authors).

Hope that helps.

Regards

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