<s>[INST] hi dr Andrew. My son is 8 years old and having very high fever temperature 39 -41 degree C. I have given him paracetamol syrup but the temperature do not drop at all. He also complains of stomach pain after taking the paracetamol syrup. Should I change to other types of medication? what can I do to help to lower the temperature? [/INST] Hi, Fever of a few days without any localizing signs could as well a viral illness.  Usually, rather than fever, what is more, important is the activity of the child, in between 2 fever episodes on the same day.  If the kid is active and playing around when there is no fever, it is probably viral illness and it doesn't require antibiotics at all.  Once viral fever comes it will there for 4-7 days. So do not worry about duration if the kid is active. Paracetamol can be given every 4-6th hourly that too only if fever is more than 100F.  I suggest not using combination medicines for fever, especially with Paracetamol. Apart from Paracetamol, you can try Ibuprofen at 8th hourly if fever is more than 101F. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.  </s>