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Message |
    
lisat
Citizen
Username: Lisat
Post Number: 184
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 2:02 pm: | 
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I'm wondering if everyone waits for a fever to reach a certain temperature before bringing out the Tylenol? Do you think there's a benefit to waiting and letting a fever take its course up to 101 for instance? Does the fever kill the offending germ and does bringing the fever down with Tylenol when it reaches, say 100 degrees, cause any harm to the child? I'm wondering because a nurse made a comment to me that the patients she comes across who are in their 90's seem a particularly hardy breed and I figured they've probably withstood more infections of various kinds without treatment. (Of course anyone who makes it to their 90's is probably hardier than most.) Anyway, at what temperature do you all bring out the Tylenol or other medicinal fever reducer? |
Jersey_Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 836
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 2:11 pm: |
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I give tylenol and motrin like water. I could set my watch by the change in behavior it brings about when it kicks in.
I don't care what the science is, my son feels better. Isn't that the point?
lisat,
Are you really withholding tylenol to insure your child becomes a nonagenarian? I'm pretty sure there's no science behind that.
Hope fever passes quickly,
J.B. |
Wendy
Supporter
Username: Wendy
Post Number: 2475
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 2:11 pm: |
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I agree with the premise of allowing the body's higher temperature to possibly kill off or keep away other germs, etc. I never offered my child a fever reducer when his temperature even exceeded 101 (except at night since I was concerned about spiking too high in the middle of the night). That said, although I didn't offer the fever reducer I often gave it to my son when he had 101 or even lower IF he complained of the discomforts associated with the fever itself or the illness.
And as for the hardy ones in their 90's. I don't think there's any connection there for the most part. Once you've gotten past a certain age (and I don't mean 89 heh), the studies show you're more likely to get to ninety.
Jersey, I see we cross-posted. My post was probably a longer way to say something similar to what you said. Comfort, pain remediation is always paramount. It even helps speed recovery in many instances.
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hismom
Citizen
Username: Hismom
Post Number: 434
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 2:14 pm: |
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I really don't have a set temperature that I break out the fever reducers. Fever is the body's indication that the number of white cells is increasing to fight an unidentifiable organisim. I rely more on how my child is acting. If he/she is miserable and complaining of feeling bad I'm more likely to give them tylenol than just based on a number on the thermometer. My 3 yo daughter has 101 with out complaining so I just let her go to sleep. (That said, if it was 103/104 I'd go for the advil/tylenol). Just MHO.
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doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1413
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 2:45 pm: |
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I deal with fevers like hismom...I generally don't even take their temp, as I've discovered that I'm usually right on in guessing (when I confirm). I treat only if they are miserable (& thus I am miserable!) or if it's really high
My oldest used to get really high fevers & that was the sign that he was sick - he wasn't a vomiter or anything...the middle gets them, but low-grade & youngest rarely gets fevers & shows he is sick in other ways...
I also sometimes use homeopathic fever reducers (different ones depending on several factors)instead of tylenol/motrin (they are hard on the kidneys & liver, Jersey Boy! ;-) |
lisat
Citizen
Username: Lisat
Post Number: 185
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 2:54 pm: |
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Thanks for the advice everyone. He doesn't seem miserable just under the weather with a temperature elevated by only 1 or 2 degrees. In the past, I would have given Tylenol more quickly but I'll see how this goes. |
Camnol
Citizen
Username: Camnol
Post Number: 347
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 3:42 pm: |
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I'm in the same camp as hismom et al. I use general demeanor as my guide. I find that I very rarely need to give my children fever reducers. A bottle of tylenol lasts a long time in my house (even with 3 kids). But then, we aren't big users of over-the-counter meds in general. I have a few homeopathic remedies that I rely on (for tummy aches and such) and that's about it.
Good luck! |
Handygirl
Citizen
Username: Handygirl
Post Number: 711
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 4:04 pm: |
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I agree with the bulk of posters (hismom etc.). I try not to medicate unnecessarily in general. Overmedication leads to illnesses that are resistant to medication. I use tylenol when my kids have fevers above 101 or so (especially my little guy) or when, as already stated, the child is miserable. Good luck. |
mrmaplewood
Citizen
Username: Mrmaplewood
Post Number: 343
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 4:33 pm: |
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Instead of medication, what could be wrong with a wet towel to reduce the fever? It is particularly effective with high fevers. |
Jersey_Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 837
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 8:11 pm: |
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doula,
Meds are hard on the kidneys and liver? I WANT to toughen them up so he'll live to ninety or older.
I'm just taking the opposite approach from lisat. We'll see in 88 years who was right.
J.B.
I don't really give him meds that much, but when he's uncomfortable, I don't hesitate. |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1415
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 8:16 pm: |
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JB,
Then maybe start with frequent martinis! ;-)
My mother-in-law still swears by alcolhol baths - the standard from her day - we have informed her that her illness-treating pass has been revoked at out house!
MrMaplewood - we do go for the luke-warm baths with our guys in need of cool down |
Jersey_Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 841
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 8:41 pm: |
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Ask the ninety year olds you meet. Most of them do have one or two cocktails every night. BECAUSE their doctor told them to sixty years ago!
Not sure if that's the reason for their longevity, or they're just the only ones still around who were told to do it.
J.B.
I'll let you know in 60 years if it works for me. (hic.) |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1419
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 9:02 pm: |
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I do notice that many of the old folks getting the Today Show bday shout out credit equally God & a nightcap...hmmm
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Jersey_Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 843
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 9:12 pm: |
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Maybe in the future my son will be crediting God, a nightcap, and motrin and tylenol...
J.B.
"Reality is for people who can't handle drugs." Lily Tomlin. |
Scully
Citizen
Username: Scully
Post Number: 477
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 10:24 am: |
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I thought that tylenol wasn't a fever reducer in the first place?
And my 92 year-old aunt(looks 70 & is VERY active) has beer with
lunch every day. |
shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 1249
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 11:49 am: |
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Tylenol is a fever reducer. It is not an inflammation reducer. |
juju's petals
Citizen
Username: Jujus_petals
Post Number: 254
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 1:12 pm: |
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And, it looks you are making a determination on use/no-use based on a temperature degree threshhold, you might want to make sure that the temperature taking method is pretty accurate. We use the ear one and consider it a good idea of low grade v. high grade but don't rely on it for an accurate degree reading, per se. A rectal temp is much more accurate but certainly less convenient, among other things.
That said, we tend to go for it with Motrin based more on behavior and the temp reading than the temp alone. Hope your little ones are feeling better.
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davidbuckley
Citizen
Username: Davidbuckley
Post Number: 618
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 11:26 pm: |
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Same question, for grownups...?
Sleep well, all.
David |
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