The Mayo Clinic says to only use fever-reducing medications when the fever is above 38. 9 °C (102 °F). Most pediatricians recommend treating a fever above 38. 9 °C (102 °F), or if the child is uncomfortable with any degree of fever. Both acetaminophen and ibuprofen products are available over the counter and are effective at reducing fever. It is safe to give acetaminophen to children who are over 2 months old, and it is safe to give ibuprofen to children who are more than 6 months old. Refer to the dosing guide on the product package or ask your doctor or pharmacist to measure an appropriate dose based on a child’s weight. [3] X Research source Acetaminophen will keep the fever down for four to six hours, and ibuprofen will lower the fever for six to eight hours. [4] X Research source

Sit the child in 51 cm (2 inches) of water that is 29 to 32 °C (85 to 90 °F). Use a sponge or washcloth to continuously moisten his bare skin. [7] X Research source Shivering will cause the child’s body temperature to rise, so slightly increase the water temperature if necessary. Alternatively, you can apply a lukewarm, wet cloth on forehead, hands, and feet to reduce the temperature. [8] X Research source

Have the child take small sips of water every 15 to 20 minutes. Juice and sports drinks, like Gatorade or Powerade, are not recommended for infants under one year old, as they don’t provide the proper balance of electrolytes in young children. Pedialyte, or other electrolyte replacement drinks designed for children, are ideal for ensuring proper hydration.

Heavy clothing and blankets prevent the body from naturally cooling itself. [12] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source

You can also open the windows if it is not too cold outside. Generally, anything below 20°C (68°F) outside would be too cold for a child with a fever. [14] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source

Never use an oral thermometer on a child who has just drank or eaten something cold. This can skew the results the thermometer gives you. [17] X Research source Rectal thermometers provide the most accurate results, especially for children under one year old, but are uncomfortable for the child and are more difficult for you to use when trying to get a proper reading. [18] X Research source

In these cases, your doctor should know whether or not your child needs to be monitored by medical professionals or if you can continue to treat the fever at home.

If the child has a temperature of 40. 5 °C (105 °F), medical attention is necessary. Take your child to the doctor for assistance.

Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen right away to start bringing down the fever.