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Is Cold Sponging An Effective Method To Reduce Fever In Children?
Question: Hi Doc, my son is 2 years 3 months old weighting 15 kgs healthy boy(from last six months no cold/fever), he got fever at 2.30pm post noon today, we gave him 4ml of Calpol 250 mg oral suspension and XXXXXXX warm sponge bath, immediately the fever got subsided and he was playing normally till the night and slept off, but at 1am midnight, his temperature increased again and we gave him 4ml Calpol and sponge bath, its subsided. Now my question, "i have been advised by a pediatrician last time to continue giving him 4ml Calpol at 6hrs gap for at least next two dosage even though the temperature is normal then stop it, if fever re-occurs, then first give him sponge bath not the Calpol, if temperature reduces then fine, if not start the Calpol again and follow as previously advised", I want to know whether i have got the advise right. Or only i have to give him Calpol when the temperature rises again or should we first try to control the temperature by giving him sponge bath or both has to given.
Brief Answer:
Your doctor is right. Try sponging first, then calpol.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
Most often fevers in children is due to viral cause and calpol is enough for its treatment. Sponging is an effective method and can be used for reduction of temperature. Your doctor has been right in suggesting you to try sponging first. It is only if sponging does not help that calpol should be used. Most often calpol is used symptomatically rather than routinely. In case of fever although it is given at 6 hourly intervals, it can be given as early as 3 hours if the fever recurs. My suggestion would be to use calpol symptomatically after trying tepid sponging.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Your doctor is right. Try sponging first, then calpol.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
Most often fevers in children is due to viral cause and calpol is enough for its treatment. Sponging is an effective method and can be used for reduction of temperature. Your doctor has been right in suggesting you to try sponging first. It is only if sponging does not help that calpol should be used. Most often calpol is used symptomatically rather than routinely. In case of fever although it is given at 6 hourly intervals, it can be given as early as 3 hours if the fever recurs. My suggestion would be to use calpol symptomatically after trying tepid sponging.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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