Almost half of all parents give their children incorrect doses of over-the-counter medications to manage high temperatures, new research has shown.

According to the findings, the mismanagement of fever in children is a universal trend.

The results were based on an analysis of 24 years of worldwide research and showed that over 30% of parents overdose children, while a quarter under-dose.

The study was carried out by Australian nursing researcher, Anne Walsh. She pointed out that little has changed in terms of what parents know about fever.

However there is some concern about a new trend of alternating different medications.

"A lot of parents are now being advised to give their children paracetamol and then follow up with some ibuprofen maybe two hours later.

The concern is that there has been no research into the effects of dosing children with these two drugs", Ms Walsh explained.

She said that the side effects of ibuprofen alone can include bleeding and stomach upset if not taken with food.

She noted that 95% of parents administer medication to manage temperatures, but in many cases, this may not be necessary and could even make the recovery time longer.

"Few people seem to realize temperatures of up to 40 degrees can be beneficial in helping the body to fight bacteria and viruses.

When you fight temperature, the body will raise it again and again until the bacteria or viral levels have dropped sufficiently", Walsh explained.

She said that it was understandable that concerned parents turned to over-the-counter medications when their children were sick, especially as many worry that a high temperature will bring on febrile convulsions. However less than 5% of children suffer from these. Medication only needs to be administered if a temperature is around 39.5 degrees or higher or if:

-- They have a headache, stiff neck or sensitivity to light.

-- They have breathing difficulties.

-- They refuse to drink.

-- They keep getting sick.

-- They are drowsy, irritable or miserable.

-- They are in pain.

-- They have a rash of red/purple spots.

-- Their mild symptoms have not improved within 48 hours.

-- They are feverish and are under six months of age. (Source:irishhealth.com)