Understanding Fever Thresholds in Children
Fevers in children are one of the main reasons parents rush to a doctor or a hospital.¹ª But, in most cases, a fever is caused by a harmless virus1b and symptoms can be eased at home with the help of Panado®. However, there are times when your child will need a doctor’s attention.
For Babies Under 3 Months
If your little one is under three months old and has a temperature of 38 °C or higher, call the doctor immediately.2a
At this age, fever can be a sign of something serious. If you can’t reach your doctor, head straight to the hospital.
For Babies 3 Months and Older, Toddlers, and Children
For older babies, toddlers, and children, pay attention to how they look and act. If your child seems well, is drinking fluids, and has no other symptoms, you usually don’t need to call the doctor.2b
However, call if the fever reaches 40 °C or higher,2c lasts longer than 24 to 48 hours (for those two years or younger) or 48 to 72 hours (for those three years or older),2d reoccurs for more than a week,2e if your child is vomiting or has diarrhoea,2f or if your child shows signs of mild to moderate dehydration.2g
Trust Your Instincts
Always trust your parental instincts. If something doesn’t feel right or you’re concerned about your child’s symptoms, don’t hesitate to call your doctor. It’s always better to be safe and ensure your little one gets the care they need.
Other Symptoms to Watch For
Regardless of age, certain symptoms paired with a fever require immediate medical assistance.
The following red flags should never be ignored:³
· Uncontrollable crying
· Not moving or limpness
· A rash or purple spots that look like bruises and weren’t there before your child got sick
· A stiff neck
· A headache
· Difficulty breathing
· Seizure
· Stomach pain
Managing Fever at Home
While fever can be uncomfortable for your child, there are ways to manage symptoms.
Panado®’s paediatric range includes, strawberry⁴ flavoured syrup, peppermint flavoured alcohol and sugar-free syrup⁵, and peppermint flavoured infant drops⁶ with a dosage dropper.
Always administer using a medicine measure or a syringe. Do not exceed the recommended dose. Dosage details can be found at https://panado.co.za/dosage-calculator/ and are calculated according to your child’s age and weight.
Parents trust⁷ Panado® to fight their little one’s pain and provide fast⁸ relief when needed most.
Panado® products are available at Baby City, Pick n Pay, Checkers, including Hypers, Shoprite, Clicks, Dis-Chem, and Independent Pharmacies.
For more information, visit https://panado.co.za/ and join the conversations on Facebook.
