Management of Hyperpyrexia in Children

Abstract

Some practical points in management of febrile children are presented. In addition to a careful history and examination, urinalysis and a chest x-ray are helpful diagnostically. Antibiotics are unnecessary in the vast majority of cases. High fever by itself does not represent an emergency and is not necessarily harmful. Antipyretic measures should be governed by the patient's condition rather than by the thermometer reading. “Treat the child, not the thermometer.”