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Treat Fever

December 5, 2009, 6:00 AM ET

About fever

Bringing down a fever will make the person feel better and help patients rest.child with fever

Treating a fever without medicine

  • Put a cool, damp washcloth on their forehead.
  • Wash their arms and body with a cool cloth.
  • Give the person a slightly warm bath.

Treating a high fever with medicine

  • Look for the ingredients "acetaminophen" or "ibuprofen" on labels.
  • These medicines may take 30 to 45 minutes to start working. They may not bring fevers down to normal temperature.

When a fever causes a seizure

A seizure makes you have jerky spasms and can also make you pass out. In rare cases, a fever can bring on a seizure, called a "febrile seizure." Seizures brought on by fever are more common in young children. Call the doctor or get medical help for seizures.

Any child younger than 3 months who has a fever should see a doctor.

Contact Us:
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    1600 Clifton Rd
    Atlanta, GA 30333
  • 800-CDC-INFO
    (800-232-4636)
    TTY: (888) 232-6348
  • Contact CDC-INFO