[e-drug] Management of fever in children in an outpatient setting (3)

["Paul Lobb" <paul.lobb@gmail.com>]

E-DRUG: Management of fever in children in an outpatient setting (3)
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Dear colleagues,

Recently I heard a presentation where it was suggested that treating a
fever in a child may do more harm than good. Apparently there are no
clinical trials that compare the use of paracetamol with placebo for
fever reduction. Treatment of the underlying condition is more
important than controlling the fever. Fever control is probably more
important for the comfort of the parents and health care workers than
unless the fever is causing severe discomfort (in which case I'd call
it pain control.)  The use of an anti-pyretic appears not to prevent
febrile seizures.

Does anybody have more information? Unfortunately I have not been able
to do any research.

I know that in the hospitals where I worked we used to dispense out
paracetamol syrup, often in combination with an antibiotic to almost
every child under the age of five who presented at the hospitals.

In theory less drug use especially injections is more efficient and
pleasant for the patient. Non pharmacological methods are also
effective in reducing fever.

-- 
Paul Lobb B Pharm (Hons) (UZ) MPSZ
email paul.lobb@gmail.com
Unemployed pharmacist