The Hellenic Pediatric Society is giving instructions on how to lower fevers in children, knowing there is a shortage of many medicines, including antipyretics.

“Parents should be aware that a high temperature (40 degrees) only makes the child breathe more, have more contractions and feel unwell. Fever does not cause any other harmful effects. Don’t be afraid of high temperatures. High temperature is our ally and inhibits the reproduction of viruses. We lower the temperature just to make the patient feel more comfortable, ”says the Hellenic Pediatric Society. To reduce the temperature, we use simple natural measures, on the one hand, and antipyretic drugs, on the other, he notes.

The physical measures are as follows:

1) We do not cover the baby with blankets and blankets, except when he is trembling. Otherwise, we do not cover it so that the body temperature goes into the environment.

2) We do not put a lot of clothes on the child. We dress him in light clothing, if possible, and few layers, which act as an insulator and prevent the fever from falling. If it’s not cold, leave him completely naked or in a tank top.

3) Take a bath, leaving the child in the water for 10-20 minutes and it would be nice to refresh him when the water warms up.

The shower does not reduce the heat as the water passes instantly through the child’s body and there is no temperature exchange between the body and the water. With the application of these measures, the fever from 40 ° C is reduced by 1-2 ° C, the child’s health improves and there is no need to give antipyretic drugs. In case we need to give antipyretics, paracetamol and ibuprofen derivatives are available in syrup in daily practice. This time when you can’t find paracetamol syrup, you can use effervescent tablets, which are available in abundance, the Hellenic Society of Pediatrics emphasizes.

For children over 12 years of age, we use effervescent tablets every 5-6 hours. Children 6-12 years old can take half an effervescent tablet every 6 hours. For children 3-6 years old, consult a pediatrician. You can dissolve 1/2 tablet in 80 ml of water and give the child 40 ml every 6 hours. “In these simple ways, you can manage a fever if you understand that a fever is not dangerous, no matter how high it rises.”