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What Causes Persistent Fever Despite Taking Medication?
Hello... My son is 2.3 yes old and around 12kgs. He is running very high fever going upto 104. Paracetamol is just not working so gave him meftal p. The fever did manage to come down to 99. However it s just been 4 hours and he has again got a temperature of 103.5. Can u please tell me if I can repeat the dose of Meftal p and if so how much he should be given. Thank you.
Tue, 4 Oct 2016
Hello,
Thank you for asking at HCM.
I carefully read your question and understand your concern.
It is common the first 3 days of fever for the temperature to be hard to stay under 38C. Paracetamol can be given and it's effect is 4-6 hours. Calculating the dose of paracetamol for kilos of weight of the child is very important so you be sure you are giving the adequate dose for the required effect. Meftal can be given also but it's effect is 8 hours so do not give it more often than 8 hours. Give it after food to protect the stomach. I would recommend you to:
1. give paracetamol every 4 hours in the accurate dose which you can calculate by referring to the letter of the bottle of the medication based on weight or age of the child. Calculations based on weight of he child are more accurate.
2. Give meftal every 8 hours after food- make sure the dose is correct by referencing the letter in the pack of the medication.
3. keep notes which medication you gave in what time- this will help to not confuse medications and timing and not cause overdose of one medication.
4. keep your child hydrated- give him frequent small amounts to drink. Dehydration makes the fever more resistant
5. if your child has fever for more than 3 days or is not improving or has any worsening you will need to send him to see a doctor. If he is not active, not playful and seems sick you will need to have him checked to rule out other infections other than viral ones.
Hope this is helpful and answers to your question
Best regards
Dr Antoneta
Thank you for asking at HCM.
I carefully read your question and understand your concern.
It is common the first 3 days of fever for the temperature to be hard to stay under 38C. Paracetamol can be given and it's effect is 4-6 hours. Calculating the dose of paracetamol for kilos of weight of the child is very important so you be sure you are giving the adequate dose for the required effect. Meftal can be given also but it's effect is 8 hours so do not give it more often than 8 hours. Give it after food to protect the stomach. I would recommend you to:
1. give paracetamol every 4 hours in the accurate dose which you can calculate by referring to the letter of the bottle of the medication based on weight or age of the child. Calculations based on weight of he child are more accurate.
2. Give meftal every 8 hours after food- make sure the dose is correct by referencing the letter in the pack of the medication.
3. keep notes which medication you gave in what time- this will help to not confuse medications and timing and not cause overdose of one medication.
4. keep your child hydrated- give him frequent small amounts to drink. Dehydration makes the fever more resistant
5. if your child has fever for more than 3 days or is not improving or has any worsening you will need to send him to see a doctor. If he is not active, not playful and seems sick you will need to have him checked to rule out other infections other than viral ones.
Hope this is helpful and answers to your question
Best regards
Dr Antoneta
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