Fevers - my experience with doctors

[Wonder-Full]

I wanted to share that every time I see a new doctor I raise the "fever management" discussion with them (this is 3 regular doctors and 1 paediatrician to date)* just to see where they stand (call it a test ;)). I have *always* had good responses and reassurance that to let a fever run its own natural course is the best thing to do and pamol is not necessary and they would only use it to keep a child comfortable rather than reduce the fever - no one ever mentions a threshold point to give anything either. I raised it with our paediatrician this morning, and he was completely comfortable to do this even with my son who has a suppressed immune system due to steroids.

So I wonder where (in general) the fear of fevers comes from?

(He did however think that tamiflu should be offered if he were to get swine flu within the next 2mths before his system is fully recovered). This I am still wavering over...so am pretty much avoiding all sicknesses/children until the end of winter (which may be an over the top reaction), but since I don't want to use tamiflu it's the best option I can come up with.

* The only time I have had issues are with 2 emergency dept. doctors - so not sure what that says??

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

As your next experiment, ring a few parenting hot lines, plunket, ring hospital A & E's, and the pharmacies, and ask them about fever management.

Also, ask your doctor WHY it is that all doctors interviewed and reported in papers, and all the DHB documents state to use paracetamol for fevers?

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

they would only use it to keep a child comfortable rather than reduce the fever

Why is a child's comfort more important than optimal working of the immune system, and best chance for survival I wonder????

[Wonder-Full]

Also, ask your doctor WHY it is that all doctors interviewed and reported in papers, and all the DHB documents state to use paracetamol for fevers?

Good point! I will do this because I would love to hear what they say.

I guess I avoid all the previously listed people/groups so don't get the party line direct (but of course it filters through other mothers and message boards on the "best" course of action).

[Wonder-Full]

Why is a child's comfort more important than optimal working of the immune system, and best chance for survival I wonder????

Indeed. And in my reponse to that I was called cruel by the last A&E doctor...:rolleyes:

[oloph]

I have found that what doctors say they will do and what they will actually do are two different things. I bet these same doctors give you a good song and dance about letting fevers run their course but if you call them about a fever they will say to give tylenol.

When my dd had a febrile seizure my doctor wanted me to give her tylenol every 4 hours for 3 days. She was also a "no need to medicate a fever" doctor. Yes, she had a febrile seizure, but tylenol for 3 solid days afterwords? :rolleyes: I put up with her saying things like this because she respected my wishes. Too bad it's almost impossible to find a doc that meets all of your requirements.

[Wonder-Full]

Hmm, dunno, coz 2 of the doctors I asked about it was when my kids were in their office with a temp at the time but unknown cause hence my visit (one was double ear infection in my dd a few years back only dd wasn't complaining about it for me to know how to help - so doctor sent her home and said once the ears perforated her fever would break and she'd be fine). Upon knowing about the ear infection I gave her a remedy and the fever broke in half an hour.

I was re-reading Mendelsohn last night and he speaks of "fever fear" amongst doctors which sounds like what you're talking about.

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

When my dd had a febrile seizure my doctor wanted me to give her tylenol every 4 hours for 3 days. She was also a "no need to medicate a fever" doctor. Yes, she had a febrile seizure, but tylenol for 3 solid days afterwords? :rolleyes: I put up with her saying things like this because she respected my wishes. Too bad it's almost impossible to find a doc that meets all of your requirements.There is no need to put up with that. You just tell her, that there is NOT ONE MEDICAL article that proves that acetaminophen helps a febrile seizure, or prevents another from occuring.

That.. is a fact. So next time you see her, demand that she supply you with the medical evidence proving that it helps. Given that she can't, you can also add that until she provides it, you will not use tylenol again...

[magical1]

I remember the bad ole days when I frequented a Drs office with my babies...Every single time as I was leaving the Doc would say oh and how are you off for Pamol? Like it was lollies.

Not once did she tell me that excessive use was bad... in fact I assumed because they gave out such huge bottles of the stuff that it must be ok and used it all the time. I spoke to a brother the other day and he noted the same thing. They always push Pamol on you at the Drs office.

What sort of message does this send out?