Childhood Conditions: Fever in Children

Question 1

What body temperature is considered fever

Answer 1

above 38 degrees

> 39 is high grade fever

Question 2

Fever symptoms

Answer 2

• feel hotter than usual when touching forehead, back or stomach
• sweaty and clammy
• flushed cheeks

Question 3

Referral in fever

Answer 3

Below 3 months
- if temperature is >=38

Between 3 to 6 months
- if temperature is >=39
- longer than 24 hours

Above 6 months
- longer than 72

• dehydration
• fevrile convulsions
• floppiness
• vomiting
• rash

Question 4

OTC products

Answer 4

• Calpol (paracetamol) (120mg/5ml)
• Nurofen Liquid (ibuprofen) (100mg/5ml)

Question 5

Age restriction for paracetamol liquid

Answer 5

• 2 months plus
• above 4kg

Question 6

Age restriction for ibuprofen liquid

Answer 6

• 3 months plus
• over 5kg

Question 7

Paracetamol liquid doses for 3 to 6 months

Answer 7

60mg (2.5ml)

QDS 4 hours between doses

Question 8

Paracetamol liquid doses for 6 to 24 months

Answer 8

120mg (5ml)

QDS 4 hours between doses

Question 9

Paracetamol liquid doses for 2 to 4 years

Answer 9

180mg (7.5ml)

QDS 4 hours between doses

Question 10

Paracetamol liquid doses for 4 to 6 years

Answer 10

240mg (10ml)

QDS 4 hours between doses

Question 11

Ibuprofen liquid doses for 3 to 6 months

Answer 11

50mg (2.5ml)

TDS 6 to 8 hours between doses

Question 12

Ibuprofen liquid doses for 6 to 12 months

Answer 12

50mg (2.5ml)

QDS 6 to 8hours between doses

Question 13

Ibuprofen liquid doses for 1 to 3 years

Answer 13

100 mg (5ml)

TDS 6 to 8 hours between doses

Question 14

Ibuprofen liquid doses for 4 to 6 years

Answer 14

150mg (7.5ml)

TDS 6 to 8 hours between doses

Question 15

Ibuprofen liquid doses for 7 to 9 years

Answer 15

200mg (10ml)

TDS 6 to 8 hours between doses

Question 16

Fever advice

Answer 16

• Keep hydrated
• use digital thermometer
  (under armpit, ear, mouth, rectum)

Question 17

Paracetamol liquid post immunisation doses

Answer 17

For 2, 3 and 4 months up to 4 times a day at time of vaccination

For Meningitis B:
60mg, then 60mg, then 60mg. Each 4 to 6 hours after the next

Question 18

Ibuprofen liquid Post immunisation doses

Answer 18

For 2 and 3 months 50mg, followed by 50mg. Each between 6 hours