In 2010, NSW Poison Information Centre received substantial number of calls concerning painkillers and children. Apparently, 3000 calls were due to paracetamol and another 1300 were related to ibuprofen. The overdose cases were not serious but around 400 ended in the hospital.

Dr. Naren Gunja, toxicologist and medical director of the centre, told The Sunday Telegraph, that "Fever season is here and people are going to be using paracetamol and ibuprofen in children. He further added, "My advice is, be meticulous about the dose."

Just like any medicine, when given appropriately, it would bring about its much needed therapeutic relief. However, the concern may focus on the relative ease of overdosing since this medication can be purchased over the counter and the knee-jerk reaction of giving medicine whenever there is fever. Inappropriate use of the drug may possibly harm the child's kidney, liver and gastric tract.

"We would see at least one a month. They have mild to severe liver damage," Dr Gunja said of the cases he handled at the Children's Hospital at Westmead. Fortunately, most cases responded well to the antidote administered and none so far, necessitated a liver transplant.

Danielle Stowasser , National Prescribing Service clinical adviser said: "There is a gross fear of fever, but it is a natural sign of the child's immune system working."

"Below 40 degrees it is reasonably safe to leave a child with a fever."