The first investigated the hypothesis that paracetamol and ibuprofen, used prophylactically, will reduce the incidence of febrile convulsions across a wide variety of conditions. It found no evidence that the prophylactic use of antipyretics has any effect in reducing the incidence of febrile convulsions. The second review assessed 12 studies of the effects of paracetamol for treating children in relation to fever clearance time, febrile convulsions and resolution of associated symptoms. It also found no evidence that the use of prophylactic paracetamol influenced the risk of febrile convulsions.

Evidence summary
Limited evidence was found regarding the use of antipyretic medications in the promotion of wellbeing, activity, eating and drinking, and no evidence of cost-effectiveness. One study suggested that parents could identify some improvement in activity and alertness after the administration of paracetamol, but not in mood, comfort, appetite or fluid intake. There is no evidence that the use of antipyretic agents reduces the incidence of febrile convulsions.

GDG translation The GDG noted that, from the evidence, antipyretic agents do not appear to be effective in the prevention of febrile convulsions. There is very limited evidence regarding the effect of paracetamol on activity or other areas contained within the clinical question, which showed inconsistent effects.

Fever Charts

• from Stanford Childrens Hospital site, in California. (URL no longer works) It shows that a fever must be very high before causing damage

  Your child probably has an early virus infection. Most fevers are good for children and help the body fight infection. Use the following definitions to help put your child's level of fever into perspective:
  100-102°F (37.8 - 39°C) -- low grade fevers and beneficial
  102-104°F (39 - 40°C) -- moderate grade fevers and beneficial
  Above 104°F (40°C) -- high fevers and cause discomfort, but harmless
  Above 105°F (40.6°C) -- higher risk of bacterial infections
  Above 107°F (41.7°C) -- the fever itself can be harmful
  

• Dutch (Netherlands) Guidelines:
  Just so everyone can put the fever issue in perspective. Not all of the world panics at fever.............

  Below is a (quick) translation, by one of my list members, of the official policy guidelines for Dutch family doctors in case of fever in children, given by their organisation and published on internet.

  I have added the Fahrenheit degrees

  Official guidelines for Dutch family doctors in case of fever in children:
  - A realistic notion about fever will make it more easy for parents to deal with children having fever.
  - In general, fever does not need treatment.
  - Actively lowering the body temperature is not neccessary. Applying cold compresses and cold sponging of the child is not meaningful.
  - In principle, no antipyretics are given. Antipyretics do not fight the disease and at best will make the child feel a bit better.
  - Fever is qualified as a rectal temperature above 38 degrees C. (100.4 degree Fahrenheit)
  -There are no injurious effects of fever below 41.7 degrees C. (107.06 degree Fahrenheit)
  - Fever is a useful bodily reaction. If the heat is allowed to drain away, fever will not rise above 41.7 degrees C. (107.06 degree Fahrenheit)
  - The increase of the body temperature seems to be important in fighting the disease.
  - If the fever is not treated, this does not mean the temperature will keep rising.
  - The main reason for taking the temperature is knowing whether or not there is a fever.
  - There is no use in measuring each change. It is sufficient to take the temperature once a day.
  - Parents should not wake their child to take the temperature.
  - Temperature should be measured per rectum. Other ways are not reliable.
  - Observing the child and registering changes in the childs behaviour are more important than frequently measuring the temperature.
  - The extent to which the child is sick is far more important than the temperature of the fever.

Homeopathic Treatment of a Child with Fever

Find the ONE remedy that matches the symptom picture best. If these lists aren't complete enough, may need to consult a homeopath, take one of my classes, or find other remedy lists

• Fevers In Children do NOT go by her dosage information - use the information I post at the end of this section as to how to give a remedy for a minor acute illness or first aid

• Fevers (Homeopathic Remedies)
  He errs on the side of caution in the paragraphs in the first part of the page. See above for info on that. He is way to cautious in my opinion here - "Any fever that is over 101 F for more than a sort period of time needs to be assessed by a medical professional. Any fever that rises suddenly to high temperatures, such 103 to 104, needs immediate professional help, as this can be a sign of a serious condition. The remedies given here are for simple, uncomplicated fever, as any other type of fever may need professional attention."

  I don't agree that 103 or 104 needs professional help unless prolonged fever and no progress being made or other serious symptoms. You have to make your own decision on that.

  I post this information for the remedy pictures he lists

  Again, find the one remedy that matches the symptom picture the best, especially paying attention to the emotional state of the child while ill

Administering Homeopathic Remedies

Best not to take them dry. The vital force of the body does better if you put them in water and then raise the potency a little each time. The vital force doesn't do as well with the same potency over and over and that is the way you would do it if you used them dry

PRINT this out and keep handy with your remedies.

Generally I suggest you use 30C (unless you have completed a course with me, then I suggest 200C). Do not treat for chronic or recurring things on your own or with 30C.

DO NOT go by what is on the bottle (heaven only knows why fda or whatever makes them say that stuff)

• You can give just a dry pillule, but it appears to work better to give in water (aqueous solution) and be able to succuss it between doses - but in a pinch, give as dry. (for an infant crush if possible or just put in a little water in a cup and let melt and then give.) But best to give in the way I describe below.

• BEST to give as an aqueous solution - one or two pillules/tablets in water

• Put ONE pillule or tablet in 6 oz of water (use purified, filtered water if possible) in a water bottle used only for this

• Let dissolve or sit for at least 5 minutes (the remedy coats the pillule which is sucrose or the tablet which is lactose)

• Shake just a little

• Take one teaspoon out of water bottle and give to the person. Have person hold in their mouth for a few seconds if possible.

  Wait.

• Use a plastic spoon (if you use a metal spoon, save it for use only for this person while being treated. After person well and not using it any longer, boil it in water for 5 minutes before it is washed and used for other things

• You basically give 1 dose of 1 remedy and wait........
  • a. If improvement, don't give anymore

  • b. If improvement and then same symptoms come back - give another dose of same
    • 1. to give another dose, take the water bottle you have and succuss it - this is strong downward thrusts from about 2 feet up - like a judge hitting a gavel do this 10 times on a book or something (you are succussing to slight raise the potency of what you have started with - it seems that the vital force does better with a little higher potency each time, than the same potency)
    • 2. give another teaspoon out of this
    • 3. if using a cup and not a water bottle - better to use water bottle though - stir briskly 10 times and give one teaspoon

  • c. If improvement and new symptoms that are really a problem and body can't deal with itself - research and find what the new remedy should be (will sometimes use one remedy and shift things and then need a different to finish up)

  • d. If no improvement on one dose of 30c in water, repeat it in 20-30 minutes; if no improvement on one dose if 200c in water, repeat it in 1 hour can do this 2 or 3 times with 200C or 30C. if no improvement after that probably wrong remedy

• Improvement you may see first is in mental/emotional symptoms, or sleep, or general well being, or thirst or appetite - then the physical symptoms may improve later If you are using 6X or something, may have to repeat oftener than a 30 C as the energy 'gets used up', in a way.

• If you get near the end of the bottle, keep at least one teaspoon in there and add 6 ozs more of water to keep it going, as you have been raising the potency each time and don't want to start over. Mostly you will never get to this point as you will only be repeating 3 or 4 times. Don't need to refrigerate unless keeping overnight and usually this will not be the case.

• Throw all away at the end once treatment is over or not needing this remedy for this illness any longer