Fever

Recommended Tips

How to lower fever:

Lowering your child's temperature will not cure the reason for the fever, but will make your child more comfortable.

• Give your child lots of cool, clear fluids to drink (not milk).
• Dress him or her in light, comfortable clothing.
• If your child starts to shiver, add more clothing, then remove when the shivering stops.
• Do not wrap him or her in blankets. This will make your child hotter.
• A pleasantly warm bath may make your child feel more comfortable but stop if your child starts shivering or fussing, as this can raise the temperature further. Never use alcohol to cool your child as this can be absorbed through the skin.
• Don't use an electric fan to cool your child, as this can cause the internal body temperature to rise.

Taking medicine correctly:

• Read all the instructions carefully.
• Always use the right amount of medicine.
• Use the measuring spoon or cup provided - don't guess.
• Always dose by weight rather than age.
• Never exceed the recommended daily dose, even if your child is apparently not responding.
• Watch the child while he or she takes it, to ensure it's all been taken.

How to take your child's temperature:

• Early in the morning and late in the afternoon are the best times to take your child's temperature.
• If your child is sick for several days, take his or her temperature at the same time each day.
• Don't give your child a hot or cold drink or food for half an hour before taking an oral temperature.
• Stay with your child and be sure he or she keeps still while you're taking the temperature.
• After reading the temperature, wash the thermometer with lukewarm water and soap, wipe it with alcohol and put it back into its case.

Methods for taking a child's temperature:

There are four accurate ways to take a temperature:

• Under the armpit, using an oral thermometer. This is the best method for parents to use with babies under 3 months old.
• Orally, using an oral thermometer. Only suitable for children over age 5.
• In the ear, using a specially designed ear thermometer. This is an excellent method, and the best one for parents to use in children over 3 months of age.
• Rectal temperature is often measured by doctors or nurses in very young children and babies. The technique is not recommended for use by parents.

The liquid-crystal "temperature strips" that read temperature from the skin of the forehead are not accurate enough for checking the progress of a sick child.

Temperature Taking tips for:

Mouth

• Clean the thermometer with cool, soapy water and rinse.
• Shake the thermometer so that the mercury inside goes below 36°C (96.8°F).
• Carefully place the tip of the thermometer under your child's tongue.
• With your child's mouth closed, leave the thermometer in place for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Remove the thermometer and read the temperature.
• Clean the thermometer.

Armpit

• Use a rectal or oral thermometer.
• Clean the thermometer with cool, soapy water and rinse.
• Shake the thermometer so that the mercury inside goes below 36°C (96.8°F).
• Place the tip of the thermometer in the centre of the armpit.
• Make sure your child's arm is tucked snugly against the body.
• Leave the thermometer in place for at least 4 minutes.
• Remove the thermometer and read the temperature.
• Clean the thermometer.

Ear

• Use a clean probe tip each time, and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.
• Gently tug on the ear, pulling it up and back. This will help straighten the ear canal, and make a clear path inside the ear to the eardrum.
• Gently insert the thermometer until the ear canal is fully sealed off.
• Squeeze and hold down the button for one second.
• Remove the thermometer and read the temperature.
• Different ear thermometers have different features and you should read the instructions provided with your unit carefully before use. Store the instructions with the thermometer for reference later on.