Once you have established your child has a fever and have taken practical measures, such as placing them in a cooler environment, to combat this, a fever-reducing medication can be administered.
In a recent study, ibuprofen was found to provide fever relief for up to eight hours, while paracetamol worked for six hours.
The study also found that the majority of parents surveyed favoured ibuprofen for reducing a temperature of more than 39°C in children younger than three years old.
However, ibuprofen should not be given to children who have (or had) stomach ulcers or other serious stomach disorders. It should also not be given to children under three months or those who have aspirin/NSAID sensitive asthma.
Always follow instructions on the pack when giving a child ibuprofen or paracetamol products. Speak to a pharmacist or GP if you are worried about using any of these products.
