Paediatric pain and fever

What causes mild to moderate pain and fever in children? 

• Viral or bacterial infections that can cause mild to moderate pain and fever in children include the common cold, a sore throat or common childhood illnesses.¹
• Teething in young children is often a cause of discomfort as the tooth erupts through the gums. Cavities may also cause toothache in older children.²
• Headaches are common, occurring in up to 75 percent of school-aged children. There are many causes of childhood headaches, but some of the more common include as a symptom associated with upper respiratory tract infections (ear, throat or sinus infection, or an allergy); a minor bump on the head; or a tension headache.³

What is fever? 

Fever:⁴

• is a normal response of the body to illness that facilitates and accelerates recovery^.
• is defined as a body temperature ≥38°C (degrees Celsius). Note that in children, it is more accurate to measure body temperature in the ear, or in the axilla (armpit).
• is frequently a cause for concern among parents and healthcare
• causes discomfort, which is often associated with pain due to the underlying condition such as a sore throat or headache.
• is not harmful in However, fever in a child younger than 3 months of age should be further investigated by your healthcare provider.

Treatment of pain and fever in children 

• Medicines to relieve pain and fever are mostly given to relieve the discomfort. This enables the child to eat better, may reduce the risk of dehydration and reduce ⁴
• Over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol may be given to children to relieve pain and fever. Note that aspirin should not be given to children or adolescents, as it increases the risk of a rare but serious condition called Reye’s syndrome.¹
• Due to anxiety about fever, parents or caregivers may give more medicine than is needed to adequately treat a On the flip side, pain, especially in young children, is often undertreated.⁵
• For pain and fever medicine to work most effectively, it is very important to give it to the child at the correct prescribed dose, at the correct scheduled time.⁵
• For example, for effective control of pain, paracetamol should be given as a scheduled dose over time, and not “as needed”.⁵
• Giving too much medicine may result in unwanted side effects or toxicity, while giving too little will hamper the effect of the medicine.⁵

Paracetamol in the treatment of pain and fever in children 

Paracetamol has a dual action, which means it relieves mild to moderate pain as well as fever in children. It is the first-line choice for treatment of pain and fever according to national and international guidelines and recommendations, and is included in the List of Essential Medicines for Children of the World Health Organization (WHO).⁵

Paracetamol may be given to children younger than 3 months of age, and to children with chickenpox.⁵

Panado (which has paracetamol as its main ingredient) has a wide range of products specially formulated for children to provide fast pain and fever relief, including sachets, drops and syrups in a variety of appealing flavours.^6-13

The table below shows which products are suitable for your child according to age. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about products and doses if you have any uncertainty. Note that children aged 9-12 years can also take Panado capsules and tablets from 6-12 years, but appropriate dosage is less than for adults. Children over 12 years of age can take Panado capsules and tablets according to adult dosages.^6-13