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Suggest Treatment For High Fever In A Child
Question: Hello doctor,
My daughter (3.5 years) is falling ill frequently since start of Sepetember this year. Since then she had fever 3 times. First couple of times, it was high fever (101-102 F). 2 weeks ago, she again had temperature but not reaching 101 but usually less than 100. Ibugesic plus brought temperature down in 4-5 days. Today again she has temperature 99.5 F. Our pediatrician has again asked to give Ibugesic plus. She also has coughing from last 4-5 days. Doctor has given Piriton CS and MTnL kid syrup. My question was more around, is it normal for kids to have fever so on and off? (We live in XXXXXXX XXXXXXX so the atmosphere is quite polluted and hot. just FYI)
My daughter (3.5 years) is falling ill frequently since start of Sepetember this year. Since then she had fever 3 times. First couple of times, it was high fever (101-102 F). 2 weeks ago, she again had temperature but not reaching 101 but usually less than 100. Ibugesic plus brought temperature down in 4-5 days. Today again she has temperature 99.5 F. Our pediatrician has again asked to give Ibugesic plus. She also has coughing from last 4-5 days. Doctor has given Piriton CS and MTnL kid syrup. My question was more around, is it normal for kids to have fever so on and off? (We live in XXXXXXX XXXXXXX so the atmosphere is quite polluted and hot. just FYI)
Brief Answer:
Looks like recurrent viral I'll illness - don't worry
Detailed Answer:
Hi....by what you quote I feel that your kid is having recurrent viral illness.
I will tell you how a viral illness behaves so that you will be more confident.
Fever of few days without any localizing signs could as well a viral illness. Usually rather than fever, what is more important is the activity of the child, in between 2 fever episodes on the same day. If the kid is active and playing around when there is no fever, it is probably viral illness and it doesn't require antibiotics at all.
Once viral fever comes it will there for 4-7 days. So do not worry about duration if the kid is active.
Paracetamol can be given in the dose of 15mg/kg/dose (maximum ceiling dose of 500mg) every 4-6th hourly that too only if fever is more than 100F. I suggest not using combination medicines for fever, especially with Paracetamol.
While the kid is recovering from viral illness it is quite common to have some cough. Symptomatic cough suppressant is enough for this.
Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health.
Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,
Looks like recurrent viral I'll illness - don't worry
Detailed Answer:
Hi....by what you quote I feel that your kid is having recurrent viral illness.
I will tell you how a viral illness behaves so that you will be more confident.
Fever of few days without any localizing signs could as well a viral illness. Usually rather than fever, what is more important is the activity of the child, in between 2 fever episodes on the same day. If the kid is active and playing around when there is no fever, it is probably viral illness and it doesn't require antibiotics at all.
Once viral fever comes it will there for 4-7 days. So do not worry about duration if the kid is active.
Paracetamol can be given in the dose of 15mg/kg/dose (maximum ceiling dose of 500mg) every 4-6th hourly that too only if fever is more than 100F. I suggest not using combination medicines for fever, especially with Paracetamol.
While the kid is recovering from viral illness it is quite common to have some cough. Symptomatic cough suppressant is enough for this.
Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health.
Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Dear Dr. XXXXXXX
Thanks indeed for your prompt and detailed response.
My daughter is active even during fever (typically when fever is below 101F).
The last time she had fever (~99.5F) which did not come down despite paracetamol, we gave Ibugesic plus (Ibuprofen + Paracetamol). This particular medicine is quite potent and fever comes down in 1-1.5 hours. However, as I understand, you don't recommend it.
I kind of guess the answer ("no") but just to ask for the sake of it.... isn't there any way to increase immunity of the child? It's disheartening to see her suffer every now and then.
Thanks again doctor.
Thanks indeed for your prompt and detailed response.
My daughter is active even during fever (typically when fever is below 101F).
The last time she had fever (~99.5F) which did not come down despite paracetamol, we gave Ibugesic plus (Ibuprofen + Paracetamol). This particular medicine is quite potent and fever comes down in 1-1.5 hours. However, as I understand, you don't recommend it.
I kind of guess the answer ("no") but just to ask for the sake of it.... isn't there any way to increase immunity of the child? It's disheartening to see her suffer every now and then.
Thanks again doctor.
Brief Answer:
Good and balanced diet is the route for good immunity
Detailed Answer:
Hi....good and balanced diet is the way towards good immunity. There are no medicines which can do this.
I would also like to reiterate the fact that recurrent viral illness doesn't mean that the kid is having low immunity.
To say a kid is having low immunity there should be recurrent pneumonia or severe lung disease or brain infection or bone and joint infection or recurrent skin infection or boils. So don't worry about low immunity.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Good and balanced diet is the route for good immunity
Detailed Answer:
Hi....good and balanced diet is the way towards good immunity. There are no medicines which can do this.
I would also like to reiterate the fact that recurrent viral illness doesn't mean that the kid is having low immunity.
To say a kid is having low immunity there should be recurrent pneumonia or severe lung disease or brain infection or bone and joint infection or recurrent skin infection or boils. So don't worry about low immunity.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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