Last night my 2.5 yr son had a bit of a fever so I gave him half a dose of tylenol(1/2 teaspoon). I checked on him throughout the night and he was fine. This morning when I got him out of bed, he was extremely warm so without even checking his temp, I gave him another half dose of Tylenol. About 15 min later, I checked his temp and it was only at about 36.6 temp so now I'm worried that I gave him Tylenol when he didn't need it. Is giving a child Tylenol when they don't need it harmful? I'm worried. But then I checked his temp under the other arm, and that arm was 37.3 C.
How is it different under each arm? Should I do a rectal? I don't know if he'll go for that though.
At what temp should I call a DR and what temp is emergency room? And don't forget to answer about the Tylenol! Thanks!
An accurate dose of Tylenol even if he isn't sick isn't going to hurt him. If you are worried enough to ask, then take him to the doctor.
No need to worry. Obviously no one should ever make a habit of giving Tylenol when it isn't really necessary, but once in a while it is not a problem. Even many pediatricians suggest giving a dose right before they have shots to ease the pain or if they hurt themselves, just in case. So giving a dose because you think it might be helpful once in a while isn't harmful. One thing you may want to think about though is the fact that you are giving half doses. I totally understand why you are doing it that way, but sometimes a half dose isn't enough to do anything so it is putting medication in their body without a benefit. Only you know if it really seems to help or not. Yes, a rectal temp is MUCH more accurate than under the arm. Whenever I am truly concerned about my son, I always take it rectally. I have always been told to call a doc when the temp is 103 F OR if I cannot get it down with Tylenol. I believe 103 F is about 39 C (you may want to check me on that), so you should be ok. I don't usually give Tylenol unless the temp is around 100 F or he seems in pain. I hope that helps. I really think you guys are totally fine though! God Bless.
He will be perfectly fine:) But I will say, I would not recommend giving half doses. You should give the full recommended dose, so that you dont have inconsistency, and so that if the fever does not come down, you dont have to try to figure out how much to give him and when. Many, many studies and trials are done to perfect the dosing for meds., esp something as simple as Tylenol. So, really, go ahead and give him what is states he needs for his weight (more acurate than age). But, no worries, you are not in any sort of trouble right now. ~A.~
Keep in mind that an armpit temp is not very accurate and tends to be 1.5 degrees cooler than oral, 2 degrees cooler than basal.
I would get a scanning temporal thermometer for about $30 at Wal-Mart or any drug store.
At 2.5, the temps are not as scary as they are before six months. My guidelines are 102 or acting sick with a fever, call the doc. Anything over 103 that you can't get down to 102 with tylenol and tepid baths, ER.
No, a single (regular) dose of tylenol isn't likely to hurt him. An overdose can cause deadly liver damage, though - and if he already has liver damage, tylenol is more dangerous than normal.
S.
