Treatment for Fever

For treatment of fever, the goal is to bring the temperature between about 100 and 102 degrees F, but not to eliminate the fever completely. 

Fever is an important part of the body's defence infection.  Cold baths or alcohol rubs cool the skin and may seem like a good idea, but they can often make the situation worse by causing shivering, which raises the body’s core temperature.

Please understand that a fever does not necessarily need to be treated.  For example, if a child is playful and comfortable, drinking plenty of fluids, and able to sleep, then treatment of the fever is not likely to be helpful.

If the child however is uncomfortable, vomiting, dehydrated, or having difficulty sleeping, then steps should be taken to reduce the fever, and also identify and treat the underlying illness.

What is important is to find out what is causing the high fever. For this, you should seek the diagnosis of a doctor as soon as possible.