76 Where There Is No Doctor 2011
3. Anyone who has a fever should drink lots of water, juices, or other liquids. For small
children, especially babies, drinking water should be boiled first (and then cooled).
Make sure the child passes urine regularly. If she does not pass much urine, or the
urine is dark, give a lot more water.
4. W hen possible, find and treat the cause of the fever.
Very High Fevers
A very high fever can be a sign of a dangerous illness. Bring the fever down as soon
as you can and treat the cause of the fever, if possible. High fever can cause seizures
(convulsions) and is most dangerous for small children.
When a fever goes very high (over 40°), it must be lowered at once:
1. Put the person in a cool place.
2. Remove all clothing.
3. Fan him.
4. Pour cool (not cold) water over him, or put cloths soaked in cool water on his
chest and forehead. Fan the cloths and change them often to keep them cool.
Continue to do this until the fever goes down (below 38°).
5. Give him plenty of cool (not cold) water to drink.
6. Give a medicine to bring down fever. Aspirin or acetaminophen works well, but
for children under 12 years old it is safer to use acetaminophen.
Dosage for acetaminophen (using 300 mg. adult tablets):
Persons over 12 years: 2 tablets every 4 hours
Children 6 to 12 years: 1 tablet every 4 hours
Children 3 to 6 years: 1/2 tablet every 4 hours
Children under 3 years: 1/4 tablet every 4 hours
If a person with fever cannot swallow the tablets, grind them up, mix the powder with
some water, and put it up the anus as an enema or with a syringe without the needle.
If a high fever does not go down soon, if the person is
unconscious, or if seizures (fits, convulsions) begin, continue
cooling with water and seek medical help at once.