Tepid Sponge Bathing and Fever Management Fever is one of the most common symptoms of illness in children. Although most fevers are usually self-limiting, parents are often very concerned about lowering them.
Fever is an elevation in set point such that the body temperature is regulated at a higher level.
The efficacy of antipyretic medications in reducing fever is well documented. However, the value of cooling measures, such as tepid sponge baths, is not supported by research. Twenty children between 5 and 68 months of age were randomally assigned to one of these two groups. The children's temperatures, using an infrared tympanic thermometer, were recorded initially and at 30 minute intervals during the 2 hour study period. The tepid sponge baths, lasting 15 minutes, were administered 30 minutes after the acetaminophen dose.