Question
The child was fine and then suddenly started to have a fever. After taking a fever-reducing shot, the fever came down, but it rose to 42 degrees at night again. Even after taking another fever-reducing shot and alcohol wiping, there was no effect. The child is conscious and has no discomfort throughout the body. The examination shows some issues with hepatitis B. Is the high fever causing hepatitis, or is the hepatitis causing the high fever?
Answer
When a child experiences persistent high fever, it is advisable to alternate between acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) and ibuprofen (such as Advil) containing different ingredients to reduce the frequency and side effects of each medication within a 24-hour period. The specific method is: after taking acetaminophen, you can give ibuprofen 4 hours later; if the body temperature rises again after taking ibuprofen, you can take acetaminophen again. If the body temperature rises again within 4 hours, do not continue using the same medication and should switch to another fever-reducing medication. If there is a high fever seizure, both medications can be used simultaneously at the same dose.