Suggest Treatment For Frequent Fever In A Child
Lookslike recurrent viral illness - you need not worry - will explian you
Detailed Answer:
Hi...I understand your concern. By what you quote this looks like a recurrent viral illness which is very very common in this age group.
First of all I will explain you how a viral illness behaves so that you can be more confident here after.
Fever of few days without any localizing signs could as well a viral illness. Usually rather than fever, what is more important is the activity of the child, in between 2 fever episodes on the same day.
If the kid is active and playing around when there is no fever, it is probably viral illness and it doesn't require antibiotics at all. Once viral fever comes it will there for 4-7 days. So do not worry about duration if the kid is active.
Paracetamol can be given in the dose of 15mg/kg/dose (maximum ceiling dose of 500mg) every 4-6th hourly that too only if fever is more than 100F. I suggest not using combination medicines for fever, especially with Paracetamol.
My suggestions for you -
1. Please do not panic for fever - it is just a body's reaction signifying that the body is fighting the infection.
2. Most of the kids' fevers are viral in fact 95% of them are viral.
3. Viral illness behaves like what I told you above. In between two fever episodes on the same day the kid will be well looking.
4. While viral illness is getting better in terms of fever, the kid may get some cough and cold. But if there is no fast breathing or respiratory difficulty, you need not worry for this also.
Though you have not provided the details of the 3 seizures in a gap of 3 months, I have gone through your history in this website which my dear colleagues have answered.
I understand that you are already on Syrup Valparin for this and I suggest you continue the same.
I will address this concern too - this is called febrile seizure.
Febrile seizures are seizures which occur during high fever in some kids. They usually occur form 6 months to 6 years of age and usually are self limiting after 6 years of age. They usually do not leave any focal neurological deficits also. Rather than the height of the temperature the rapidity of rise of temperature is more important.
If the seizure lasts for longer than 5 min,buccal or intranasal midazolam (AVAILABLE AS MIDAZOLAM NASAL SPRAY) may be used and is often preferred by parents. If the parents are very anxious concerning their child’s seizures, intermittent oral diazepam (0.33 mg/kg every 8 hr during fever) or intermittent rectal diazepam (0.5 mg/kg administered as a rectal suppository every 8 hr), can be given during febrile illnesses. Such therapies help reduce, but do not eliminate, the risks of recurrence of febrile seizures.
You are already on Valparin and in spite of this if seizure comes then you can go ahead with the above option of intranasal midazolam. But this is a prescription drug and you will need one for this.
If you can get back to me with the weight of the kid then I will suggest you the appropriate dose of Valparin.
Regards – Dr. Sumanth
There is no medicine to prevent fever permanently
Detailed Answer:
Hi.... coming to your queries directly -
1. There is no medicine to prevent fever permanently. As I have already mentioned many times it will be viral infection and fever is a sign that the body is effectively fighting out that infection naturally. But at the same time some kids get seizures during fever which I have already explained.
2. Please do not think that your son is suffering from fever recurrently. Usually this viral infections will get better and the frequency also will come down as the age progresses. This occurs because the kids will be gradually gaining resistance to the viral infections. So as the age progresses the frequency of fever and viral infections also will come down. So be patient and be rest assured.
3. This itself signifies that your kid has got a good immune system. There are no scientifically proven medications to improve the immune system. Please do not believe in certain natural herbal medications which claim to increase immunity power. We do not know the side effects of these medications and do not know how the kid might react to these medications.
Please get back to me if you have any further queries, I will be happy to interact with you.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth