“How do you bring a child's fever down?”

You may give tylenol and/or advil preparations orally - giving a tepid bath will also lower the body temp. Extra fluids are helpful so the child doesn't get dehydrated as a result of running the fever.

To lower a fever, we have to define a fever. Current science tells use that a human has a fever when the temperature is 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher (38 degrees Celsius). If your child has a temperature of 99.8 degrees, then this is not a fever; medication will not lower it. For lowering fever, use Acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) or Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others). The dose should be based on body weight, and you should get the exact dose from your doctor so as to not over dose. Giving your child a bath in lukewarm or tepid water will temporarily lower the fever; it will come back up within minutes of getting out of the tub. Other than the above, keep your kid lightly clothed, have him/her drink plenty of fluids, and try not to worry. Now, the big question; do you really have to lower the fever? The answer is NO. Fever is a normal physiologic mechanism for fighting infection. Lowering the fever will not shorten the illness or make the child’s illness resolve. Lowering the temperature in a sick kid is for the child’s comfort only!!! So don’t fret if your kid has a fever. The most important question to ask is why does my child have fever? Then treat the cause.
Hope this is helpful.

Dr. K

Fever is the body's natural response to an infection, and is part of the immune system response that will help your child recover. Trying to cool the outside of your child, like with tepid baths or cool cloths, will likely only make him/her feel chilled and are not helpful. Medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen actually block the body's fever response, so will bring down the number on the thermometer, but in doing so are actually interfering with the body's natural healing process, which may not be a good thing. Knowing what is causing your child's fever and treating the cause is important. "Fever" is a core body temperature above 38oC or 100.4oF. The temperature of the skin, such as on the forehead, may not be an accurate indicator. Try to keep your child comfortable, encourage lots of clear liquids, easily digestible foods, rest. See your pediatrician to determine the cause of the fever and get appropriate treatment. Most fevers in children are caused by viruses, and antibiotics should not be given.

Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP