Understanding Fever Thresholds In Children

Fevers in children are one of the main reasons parents rush to a doctor or a hospital.^1a But, in most cases, a fever is caused by a harmless virus^1b and symptoms can be eased at home with the help of Panado®. However, there are times when your child will need a doctor’s attention.

For Babies Under 3 Months

If your little one is under three months old and has a temperature of 38°C or higher, call the doctor immediately.^2a At this age, fever can be a sign of something serious. If you can’t reach your doctor, head straight to the hospital.

For Babies 3 Months and Older, Toddlers, and Children

For older babies, toddlers, and children, pay attention to how they look and act. If your child seems well, is drinking fluids, and has no other symptoms, you usually don’t need to call the doctor.^2b However, call if the fever reaches 40°C or higher^2c, lasts longer than 24 to 48 hours (for those two years or younger) or 48 to 72 hours (for those three years or older),^2d reoccurs for more than a week,^2e if your child is vomiting or has diarrhoea,^2f or if your child shows signs of mild to moderate dehydration.^2g

Trust Your Instincts

Always trust your parental instincts. If something doesn’t feel right or you’re concerned about your child’s symptoms, don’t hesitate to call your doctor. It’s always better to be safe and ensure your little one gets the care they need.

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Regardless of age, certain symptoms paired with a fever require immediate medical assistance. The following red flags should never be ignored:³

• Uncontrollable crying
• Not moving or limpness
• A rash or purple spots that look like bruises and weren’t there before your child got sick
• A stiff neck
• A headache
• Difficulty breathing
• Seizure
• Stomach pain

Managing Fever at Home

While fever can be uncomfortable for your child, there are ways to manage symptoms.

Panado^®’s paediatric range includes, strawberry⁴ flavoured syrup, peppermint flavoured alcohol and sugar-free syrup⁵, and peppermint flavoured infant drops⁶ with a dosage dropper.

Always administer using a medicine measure or a syringe. Do not exceed the recommended dose.  Dosage details can be found at https://panado.co.za/dosage-calculator/ and are calculated according to your child’s age and weight.

Parents trust⁷ Panado^® to fight their little one’s pain and provide fast⁸ relief when needed most. Panado^® products are available at Baby City, Pick n Pay, Checkers, including Hypers, Shoprite, Clicks, Dis-Chem, and Independent Pharmacies. For more information, visit https://panado.co.za/ and join the conversations on Facebook.

References:

1. InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Overview: Fever in children. [Updated 2022 Dec 9]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279455/. Last accessed July 2024.
2. Babycentre. Fever in babies and kids. Available from: https://www.babycenter.com/health/illness-and-infection/fever-and-your-baby-or-child_84. Last accessed July 2024.
3. NEMOURS KidsHealth. Fever (high temperature) in kids. Available from: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/fever.html. Last accessed July 2024.
4. Panado^® Paediatric Strawberry Syrup approved professional information, March 2002.
5. Panado^® Paediatric Syrup Alcohol and Sugar-Free approved professional information, May 2022.
6. Panado^® Infant Drops approved professional information, August 1990.
7. Circana, MT, May 2024 MAT.
8.  Wilcock A, Twycross R. Therapeutic reviews: Acetaminophen (Paracetamol). Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 2013;46(5):747-755

Contains Paracetamol

Panado^® is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of mild-to-moderate pain and fever. Refer to Professional Information / Patient Information Leaflet for full dosage and directions for use. Do not exceed the recommended dose. Do not use for more than 10 days without consulting your doctor. KEEP ALL MEDICINES OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.

PANADO^® PAEDIATRIC SYRUP 5ml Sachets are for single use only. Always administer using a medicine measure or a syringe. Discard remaining contents of sachet after administration of the correct dosage.