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Management of Fever (Antipyretics)

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Book cover Clinical Manual of Fever in Children

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  • #x203A; Fever in children is a frequent reason for consultation to pediatricians and GPs, estimated to be 30% of the total visits.

  • › The principal indication for the use of antipyretics is not to reduce body temperature but to make the child comfortable.

  • › Antipyretics are ineffective in preventing febrile seizures.

  • › Currently, paracetamol is a first-line choice for fever and pain management.

  • › Combining two antipyretics has no scientific basis and does not achieve a greater antipyretic/analgesic effect than using either agent alone.

  • › In therapeutic dose, antipyretics rarely cause adverse events.

  • › The use of tepid sponging for febrile children is unnecessary because of the availability of antipyretic drugs, which are simpler to use, more effective in reducing body temperature, and produce less discomfort to children.

  • › One of the most important duties of pediatricians is to differentiate between an ill child (who may need prompt attention, including hospitalization) and a well child who can be sent home. This is learned by experience.

  • › Fever phobia is common among parents and doctors. This excessive fear of fever is unfounded. It is not the fever that is harmful but the underlying disease. The associated fever may be protective.

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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Consultant Paediatrician & Honorary Senior Lecturer, Medical School Denver Close Petts Wood, Orpington Kent, BR6 OSB, UK

    A. Sahib El-Radhi FRCPCH, MRCP,Ph.D, DCH

  2. Professor of Neurology, Pediatrics, and Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology Vice-Chairman, Department of Neurology Chief, Section of Pediatric Neurology, The Medical College of Georgia, 1120 15th Street Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA

    James Carroll MD

  3. Division of Cell and Molecular Biology Institute of Child Health, Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Infection and Immunology, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK

    Nigel Klein MBBS, BSc, PhD, MRCP, FRCPCH

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© 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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(2009). Management of Fever (Antipyretics). In: El-Radhi, A.S., Carroll, J., Klein, N. (eds) Clinical Manual of Fever in Children. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-78598-9_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-78598-9_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-78597-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-78598-9

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