Antipyretic facts for kids
Antipyretics are special medicines that help lower a fever. The word "antipyretic" comes from two parts: "anti-" means 'against', and "pyretic" means 'feverish'. So, they literally work 'against fever'.
When you have a fever, your body's temperature goes up. Antipyretic medicines help your body cool down. They do this by telling a part of your brain, called the hypothalamus, to reset your body's thermostat to a normal temperature. This makes your body work to lower the heat, which helps reduce the fever.
Most medicines that lower fever also do other helpful things. For example, many of them can also help with pain.
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What Are Antipyretics?
Antipyretics are medicines that reduce high body temperature. They are often used when a person has a fever due to an illness. These medicines help you feel more comfortable while your body fights off an infection.
How Antipyretics Work
When you get sick, your body's immune system starts fighting germs. Sometimes, this fight causes your body temperature to rise, leading to a fever. This rise in temperature is often caused by tiny chemicals called prostaglandins.
Antipyretics work by blocking these prostaglandins. When these chemicals are blocked, your brain's thermostat (the hypothalamus) gets the signal to lower your body temperature back to normal. Then, your body starts to cool down, often by sweating or by sending more blood to your skin.
Common Antipyretic Medicines
Many common medicines you might know are also antipyretics. The most well-known ones include:
- Ibuprofen: This medicine is often used for pain relief and to reduce swelling. It also works very well to lower fever.
- Aspirin: Like ibuprofen, aspirin helps with pain and swelling. It is also an effective fever reducer. However, children and teenagers should usually avoid aspirin because it can cause a rare but serious condition called Reye's syndrome.
- Acetaminophen (Paracetamol): This medicine is great for pain relief and lowering fever. It does not reduce swelling as much as ibuprofen or aspirin.
These medicines belong to a group called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), except for acetaminophen. NSAIDs are known for fighting pain, swelling, and fever.
Why Do We Get Fevers?
A fever is not always a bad thing. It is actually a sign that your body's immune system is working hard. When you have an infection, your body raises its temperature to make it harder for germs to grow and spread. This higher temperature can also help your immune cells work better to fight off the illness.
Should You Always Lower a Fever?
There is some discussion about whether it is always best to lower a fever with medicine. Since fever is part of your body's natural defense, some experts believe that letting a mild fever run its course can help your body fight off the infection more effectively.
However, high fevers can make you feel very unwell and can sometimes be dangerous, especially for very young children or people with certain health conditions. In these cases, using antipyretics is important to make you more comfortable and prevent complications. It is always a good idea to talk to a doctor or a trusted adult about whether to take medicine for a fever.
See also
In Spanish: Antipirético para niños
