Fevers - Is It Better to Let It Run Its Course or Keep It down with Motrin??

If the child isn't horribly uncomfortable, you should let the fever run its course. The viruses and bacteria that make us sick usually function best at our normal body temperature. So, one of our body's best defenses is to raise the body temperature; a fever is not just a symptom of an infection, it's actually a pretty effective weapon that our body uses to treat itself. Most of the illnesses that we get are caused by viruses (colds and flus are both viral), which cannot be fought with antibiotics, so we should do our best to help our bodies fight those infections.

Generally, as long as the fever is below 102, I try not to give my kids anything to bring it down. Above 102 or so when they start becoming more uncomfortable, I give something and/or give a warm bath, which, because of the evaporation off of the skin, will help bring the temperature down a couple of degrees.

Some worry about febrile seizures, but they are pretty rare, and strongly genetic. No one in my family has had them, but I have a family friend that has them in her family, and all 4 of her children has had a febrile seizure. The seizures aren't generally harmful, though, and all of her children are now healthy adults. If you haven't seen febrile seizures in any of you family, you most likely don't have to worry about them.

Dr. Greene has a pretty good article on fever treatment at:

http://www.drgreene.com/21_832.html

What does your doctor say? I will let a low grade fever go, as long as they are not uncomfortable. I would ask your doctor what they think of 102' for the second day in a row.

If you don't keep fevers down...they can spike up and the child can have seizures.

Sounds like everyone is in agreement, let it runs it's course. The fever is what is fighting off the infection. If they are comfortable, I don't give it to them. If they are irratable and very achy I do. Also, if it is very high, over 104, I would give them a dose to bring it down. I almost always give them a dose before bed though.

My middle child had febrile convulsions (seizures) with a fever, and it is definitely the scariest thing to watch and then to have her not start breathing again on her own. I always use Tylenol/Motrin for anything over 100. The fever is a signal that his body is fighting an infection, but whether you let it go or treat it with over the counter medicines does not affect how long it will last or how quickly the body will fight the illness. It only affects the comfort of your child. It would be a good idea to take your son to the doctor to check for strep if the fever continues into day 3.

If there are fevers consecutive days there is another issue. Fevers cook germs but they will also start cooking your insides as well, including the brain. There are a lot of homeopathic remedies, like vicks on the feet and a few others that I can't remember. I think over 100 you should medicate.

I've heard both. My ped always says Tylonol or Motrin, but I go to a natural doc that says don't do it. Our bodies are made to fight through those kinds of things and all the medicine does is interfere with the body's healing process. I always put a cool wash cloth on my kids' heads and that usually makes them feel better. If his fever lasts more than a few days and he has other symptoms like coughing I would take him in to see someone though. It could be something else, especially this time of year.

You should be alternating Motrin and Tylenol. Too much of either isn't good. Make sure that you're giving the dose according to their weight and if the label says to consult your pediatrician, do so. You'll also want to check with your doctor and see how many hours you should go in between each dose. Also, make sure you don’t give him the Motrin on an empty stomach or he will throw it up. Our daughter had over a 103 temperature last week and we ended up in the ER because even though we were following the dosages on the Tylenol and Motrin bottles, we weren't giving her enough for her weight and the fever wouldn't come down.

If the fever is over 100 then you need to keep it down. If it is a small fever 99 to 100 let it try and run its course but keep track that it doesnt get any higher.

Fevers are your bodies way of fighting the germs. They are good for you. There is nothing wrong with a fever of 102, especially if your child doesn't sem overly uncomfortable with it. Lying down and sipping cold liquid is GOOD for him, his body needs rest in order to heal. (As long as he keeps geting liquid in him he should be fine) As an alternative to giving him meds to bring down his fever, if you feel the need to do so, you can go to the drug store, or the pharmacy section of the grocery store or walmart and pick up a product called " Be Kool" they are gel sheets that stick to your childs forehead. They are non medicated and work wonderfully. My daughter can not take tylenol etc..... when she has a fever, so these are what we use when her fever does get too high, or she's very uncomfortable.

W.H. make sure he doesn't have a ear infection.

D.

Hi, W.H.
Sorry your little one isn't feeling well. My pediatrician is of the opinion that a mild to moderate fever should be allowed to run its course. In those instances, he says give tylenol/motrin only for comfort. If your child doesn't seem too uncomfortable and is sleeping and drinking, let the fever do its job. A high fever should be treated, and a pediatrician consulted, especially if you think there is a chance your child may become dehydrated. Hope he's well soon!

I have let the fevers run their course. A lot of people get freaked out by fevers...but they are the bodies response to invaders. If you continue to medicate before the body can build more anti-bodies, it becomes less efficient at healing itself the next time. My son runs high fevers....106 to 107. He lays around and sleeps. He is usually up and running a lot quicker when we don't give him ibuprofen.

I've been told to let the fever run it's course, unless it gets above 102 with my 2 year old. He was pretty sick two weeks ago with a fever and he laid around and slept for the most part. I just kept tabs on it - and did give him some tylenol during the night when he just couldn't rest and that helped.

If my kids' fevers aren't too high then I don't give motrin unless at night so they can sleep better. I have heard also that it is better not to give motrin so the fever can do it's job. When you give medicine it supresses the fever & then the fever can't work properly. Hope that helps. :) Hope your son feels better soon!

I would take him to the doctor after tomorrow if he is still running a fever because that would be about 3 days. If your not able to break it tomorrow then most likely there is something causing the fever. Like maybe an ear infection. My son just recently went through that same thing and after 3 days we was not able to break his temp. So I took him to his doctor and he ended up haveing Bronchitis. We had the same thing in mind with letting it runs its course but after 3 days he may need something other than motrin to help fight off his fever. Hope this helps, good luck.

B.