Do I Have to Treat my Child’s Fever if he is Acting Fine?

Fever is simply the body’s way of fighting off infection, and giving medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen will not shorten the course of illness. I recommend giving medication to your child only if he or she is complaining of pain or just looks miserable. But if he is bouncing off the walls or she is dancing all around the room, skip the meds! Of course, some children with underlying heart, lung, or neurologic diseases may not tolerate fevers, so talk to your child’s doctor for specific instructions.

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