HIGH TEMPERATURES & EAR ACHE WITH MENINGITIS ADVICE

These are caused by an infection and will often last for several days.

Children:
* Often run temperatures without other symptoms.
* They will often feel a bit better if you can cool them down a bit.
* Remove their clothes down to vest and pants and keep the room temperature down.
* Use Calpol/Disprol/Paracetamol liquid 3 or 4 times daily as directed on the bottle to help reduce the temperature.
* In children who don't suffer from asthma, Junior Ibuprofen may help if the above medicines are not helping, especially for pain.
* Sponging with lukewarm (not cold) water or blow them with a fan or hairdryer on the coolest setting.
* If earache is not controlled by these medicines or lasts several days make an appointment with Reception to see a Doctor.
* unless a discharge or vomiting is present, or painkillers are not helping the pain, clinical trials suggest using Paracetamol (Calpol) and/or Ibuprofen is the best for the first 2 days. Only if the pain persists after 2 days are antibiotics better, in which case see a doctor.

Watch out for:
* A temperature staying over 40°C or 104°F.
* A stiff neck, cramps or vomiting with a high temperature.
* A child that seems weak and listless whilst awake or suffers a fit or convulsion.
* A rash which looks like a small purple spot or blood blisters, but does not go skin colour when pressed on with a clean glass/tumbler. If this happens it might suggest meningitis or a serious illness so phone your Doctor straight away.