What this covers
Fever in children is usually a sign the body is fighting infection — most often a viral illness, sometimes a bacterial one (and malaria after travel to an endemic area). Fever medicines make the child comfortable while you address the cause; they do not treat the underlying infection.
Safe-use guidance
- Use a children's formulation appropriate for your child's age and weight, and measure with the dosing device provided — never a kitchen spoon.
- Keep the child lightly dressed, offer plenty of fluids, and let them rest; avoid cold baths and alcohol rubs.
- If the child has recently travelled to a malaria area, mention this to a clinician and ask about a malaria test — do not assume or blindly treat.
- Write down when you give each dose to avoid accidental double-dosing between caregivers.
- See a clinician promptly for fever in any baby under three months — this is always significant.
Cautions
- Never give adult tablets or estimate fractions of adult doses for a child.
- Aspirin should not be given to children for fever — it is linked to a rare but serious illness.
- Danger signs with fever — convulsions, stiff neck, difficulty breathing, persistent vomiting, unusual drowsiness, or a rash that does not fade with pressure — need urgent hospital care.
- Many teething remedies and combination syrups contain hidden paracetamol — check labels to avoid doubling up.
How iHealix helps
A iHealix pediatric consult can help you judge whether a fever can be managed at home or needs urgent care, with correctly formulated children's medicines and malaria test kits delivered to your door.
Prescription medicines always require an in-app consultation with a licensed doctor first — the e-prescription then goes straight to a licensed partner pharmacy for dispensing and delivery.