BBC Focus Magazine

[Thinker]

Can you become immune to the effects of Paracetamol or Calpol by taking it too much?

I only ask, because my two year old has a tendency to have a temperature reading of over 37°c and this in turn makes my missus pour Calpol down her throat (at the recommended times, don't worry!), but I get a bit fustrated with it all, because surely a temperature is just the bodies way of fighting off infection and I'm worried that if she keeps filling her with paracetamol that she'll become immune to it!

[The Beige Avenger]

Tolerance levels will build up...

[Nails]

A quick google search brought up this:

Paracetamol is an opiate and therefore is a Schedule II controlled substance. It has a high abuse liability and while it is very similar to morphine, codeine and other opiates, Paracetamol is still structurally distinct. While it alters the perception of pain in the spinal cord and brain, it does not affect nerve endings. Paracetamol triggers the brain’s pleasure centers while blocking pain. This process contributes to its ability to generate an addiction in users

A tolerance for Paracetamol can be quickly developed and users may require more and more of the medication to achieve the desired effect. Dependency is manifested in a strong desire or need to continue taking more of the medicine; a need to increase the dose to maintain the effects of the medicine; and withdrawal symptoms occurring after the patient stops taking the medication

http://www.drugrehabwiki.com/wiki/Paracetamol

You could always try the good old placebo effect: cool-pads, cuddles, coloured/flavoured water on a spoon etc.

[Thinker]

Would this prolonged exposure affect paracetomal's power to reduce a high temperature though or is it merely talking about the pleasure effects?

[Nails]

I would magine that all of its positive effects would be reduced.

Most worrying though is the onset of withdrawl, which would make a child look ill.

To note though Thinker, I am not a physician and you should always seek expert medical advice on such matters if you have any concerns. A pharmacist will be more than suitable and you're unlikely to be waiting two or three days to speak to one.

Hope it all goes well.

To return to the second part of your original post, the evolutionary mechanism of the immune response is not 100% understood as far as I'm aware. There is some debate wether the body is aided by a slight increase in temperature or whether the invading arganism benefits - I suppose it depends upon the nature of the infection. In general though I believe that it is recommended only to reduce a temperature if it becomes way too high as your body can vary in temperature quite naturally.
A mild increase in temp is unlikely to pose a threat to health, and really mediceine should only be given when symptoms become more than just mild cough/cold/fever. That way you are giving the body a chance to increase its immunity repsonse without the need for additional chemicals.
There is a school of thought that suggests (in adults at least) the best way to treat a cold is to just leave it alone. The medicine will only treat the symptoms, and if your body wants the symptoms then you are only prolonging the infection.

Seriously though, if you have any real concerns go and speak to your local chemist.

[Thinker]

I always ride a cold out anyway. I know people that take Beechams, Lemsip and all such bother, but to be honest, it never seems to make me feel better. I say, bring on the hankies and general moping about saying "Urgh! I've got the plauge." Works for me.

[Colm]

Well there's no better cure than the thought of a sick day off work the next day!

But onto the 2 year old, wouldn't it be better to see a doctor as to why the temperature is so often over the 37?

[Thinker]

We've done that already Colm. Said doctor insists that if there is no rash involved and no other perturbing symptoms then there is nothing to worry about!

[nemisis39]

But onto the 2 year old, wouldn't it be better to see a doctor as to why the temperature is so often over the 37?

At that age could be back teeth coming through i had it with 4 of my 10. Kids get temps for alsorts of reasons. iv'e found through experience that unless they are in distress because of it then leave them to it, sleep is the best cure courde as co;m says if in doubt seek medical advice as kids do differ in so many ways.

as for the immunity aspect i find taking paracetomal as a form of pain relief i may as well take smarties

[Nails]

as for the immunity aspect i find taking paracetomal as a form of pain relief i may as well take smarties

It may be recgarded as unethical for a doctor to prescribe a placebo, but is it unethical for a parent to give their child sweetened coloured flavoured water on a measured plastic spoon for a cough or cold?

[nemisis39]

as for the immunity aspect i find taking paracetomal as a form of pain relief i may as well take smarties

It may be recgarded as unethical for a doctor to prescribe a placebo, but is it unethical for a parent to give their child sweetened coloured flavoured water on a measured plastic spoon for a cough or cold?

If it helps with the pain then yes, but most cough syrups wouldn't do that much really. I think with a lot of cold medicines it is more of a physiological effect that an actual medical one that makes you feel better hence the reason why there are so many to choose from

As for the smarties reference the reason it was made is because paracetomal dose nothing for me in a pain relief aspect.