Sudden High Fever in Children at Night: What to Do Before Rushing to the Emergency Room in Rome

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Seeing your child burning up, crying, and being fussy in the middle of the night is one of the most stressful experiences for a parent. The first reaction is often to get in the car and rush to the nearest pediatric Emergency Room. However, in most cases, fever is a natural and positive response of the body to infections. Before facing the stress of a hospital waiting room, here is a very brief guide on how to safely manage the situation at home. The 3 Most Common Mistakes to Avoid 1. Bundling up the child too much: If the child has a high fever, they should not be "covered to make them sweat." On the contrary, they should be undressed to allow body heat to dissipate. 2. DO NOT Alternate medications (Paracetamol and Ibuprofen): The guidelines of the Italian Society of Pediatrics (SIP) advise against the routine alternation of the two drugs due to the risk of overdose and renal or hepatic toxicity. Starting with paracetamol is always the best choice, to be replaced with ibuprofen if the response is not satisfactory, always following the dosages based on the child's weight, not age. 3. Sponging with alcohol or cold water: This can cause vasoconstriction or thermal shock. A lukewarm shower is better if the child prefers it.

When a medical visit is urgent:

Contact MediClick.co's 24-hour pediatric service in Rome immediately if the child: - The fever lasts for more than 3-4 days. - The child absolutely refuses to drink and urinates very little (a sign of possible dehydration). - The fever returns high after having already disappeared for a day or two. - The child has severe abdominal pain or pain during urination. - The child shows difficulty breathing or persistent coughing - The child shows ear pain or discharge from the ear If the fever does not go down after antipyretics or if you have doubts about the medication dosage, do not wait alone until dawn. MediClick.co's pediatricians in Rome are available all night for video consultations to examine the child on screen, assess their general condition, and give you the peace of mind you need without leaving home. 👉 [Talk to a MediClick Pediatrician via Video Consultation now]