What Can I Use to Reduce a Fever if My Daughter is Also Vomitting?

Claire McCarthy, M.D., is a senior medical editor for Harvard Health Publications. She is an instructor in pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, an attending physician at Children's Hospital of Boston, and co-director of the pediatrics department at Martha Eliot Health Center, a neighborhood health service of Children's Hospital. The author of two books, "Learning How the Heart Beats" and "Everyone's Children", Dr. McCarthy was a regular columnist for "Sesame Street Parents Magazine" from 1995 to 1998 and is currently a contributing editor for "Parenting Magazine".

Question:

My 8-year-old daughter has a high fever and I would like to give her something to reduce the fever, but she is vomiting also. Is there anything you can suggest?

Answer:

Any time a child has a high fever (more than 102 degrees Fahrenheit or 39 degrees Celsius) it's a good idea to check in with your doctor's office. High fever and vomiting should always prompt a call to the doctor's office.

While most fevers in children are caused by viruses and don't necessarily need medical attention, your child's doctor or nurse will want to ask a few more questions to see whether medical attention would be a good idea.

Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are both good at bringing down fevers. Both come in liquid and pills (including chewable pills); only acetaminophen comes in a suppository that can be put inside the rectum.

To help fever when a child has nausea or vomiting, I usually recommend one of the by-mouth preparations first, with a small amount of water. Be aware that ibuprofen can cause stomach irritation in some children — so if there's a stomachache along with the vomiting, acetaminophen may be the better bet. If the medicine comes right back up, try a rectal suppository. If there is no vomiting for 30 minutes after the child takes the medication, there's a reasonable chance that at least some of it has been absorbed.

When using any over-the-counter product, read the package directions carefully for dosage instructions. Dosage is usually based on a child's weight. Use the dosage that best fits your child's weight, not age.

If you have any questions, if the fever still isn't coming down, or vomiting continues, call your doctor again.