Treat Fever

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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.