When a child has a fever, his body is defending against an infection. This means that the fever itself is not bad, and it might even be counterproductive to try to lower the fever as quickly as it is, since we don't let it work. That is why we have been talking about the fact that there are certain measures that we can apply before using the anti-thermal agents.
However, there are certain occasions when we feel we can or should medicate the child to improve his condition. When to use anti-thermal agents, will depend a lot on the degree of fever, the general condition of the child or the effectiveness of other physical measures.
According to the Spanish Association of Primary Care Pediatrics, anthermic agents should be used in the following cases, and always after making sure that there is indeed fever (fever is considered at a temperature greater than 38 ° C in the armpit or greater than 38.5 ° C if taken in the rectum).
Temperature greater than 38 ° Celsius (axillary).
When the child has a fever and physical measures are not enough to lower his temperature, such as leaving him with little clothing or bathing in warm water to bring the child's temperature closer to that of the water (although this measure really costs to apply; I I have not been able to bathe my daughters for this purpose if they are not in good general condition).
Child discomfort from fever. We have all known some feverish episodes in which we have had to repeat the temperature taking because the child's condition is so good, it is lively, it eats well ... that there seemed to be some mistake.
Children with a history of: metabolic, neurological or cardiorespiratory disease and febrile seizures.
Great family anguish. We assume that if this point is reached, it is because some of the above conditions are met, so that it would be justified and it would be beneficial to give the child the anti-thermal.
Let's not forget that we should try to calm the fever before treating it, since, although The anti-thermal agents are beneficial if used properly, as all medicines can have harmful effects, therefore they should not be used unnecessarily but only in the cases described and following the appropriate dose recommendations.
