Managing fever in children with a single antipyretic.

It has become an increasingly common practice to treat fever in children with a combination of antipyretics, despite the lack of evidence of clinical benefit. Promoting this practice can potentially worsen "fever phobia", which is widespread and puts children at risk from dosing errors. National guidelines and research evidence recommend treating a child's fever with one type of antipyretic. This article dispels some of the myths associated with paediatric fevers and reviews best practice for treatment. Armed with knowledge of evidence-based practice, nurses are in a position to influence parents and the wider healthcare community and so achieve safer drug administration.