U.S. & WORLD NEWS DIGEST | Doctors offer advice for children’s fevers

Doctors offer advice for children’s fevers

CHICAGO

Fever phobia is rampant among parents of young children, according to a myth-busting American Academy of Pediatrics report that advises against treatment every time a kid’s temperature inches up.

“There’s a lot of parental anxiety about fever. It’s one of the most common reasons people bring their child to the doctor,” said Dr. Henry Farrar, co-author of the report.

Most often, kids’ fevers are caused by viruses and will go away without medicine and without causing any damage.

Parents tend to overtreat fevers, even waking up sleeping kids to give them fever-reducing medicine, Farrar said. “If they’re sleeping, let them sleep,” he said.

Temperatures lower than 100.4 degrees are not considered a fever. There’s no harm in treating a true fever with over-the-counter acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

The report was released online today in the journal Pediatrics.

Tunisia’s president picks prime minister

TUNIS, Tunisia

Tunisia’s interim president chose a former government minister as a new prime minister Sunday, appealing for a return to calm after new violent protests that have hobbled this North African country since the ouster of its longtime leader.

Beji Caid-Essebsi will replace Mohammed Ghannouchi, who resigned earlier Sunday after becoming a major irritant to Tunisians behind the so-called “Jasmine Revolution” that toppled autocratic President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali last month and sparked a wave of upheaval in the Arab world.

GOP: Gingrich closer to presidential run

WASHINGTON

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich intends to take a formal step toward entering the 2012 presidential race within the next two weeks, Republican officials said Sunday, after months spent traveling to important primary and caucus states.

These officials declined to say precisely what type of announcement the 67-year-old former Georgia lawmaker would make, but added they expect him to make clear his determination to run.

Gingrich became the first Republican speaker in 40 years after he led his party to control of the House in the 1994 elections.

Boehner makes case to broadcasters

NASHVILLE, Tenn.

House Speaker John Boehner made his case to religious broadcasters Sunday for $4 billion in “reasonable spending cuts” that are part of the Republican plan to prevent a shutdown of the federal government.

Lawmakers must approve a new spending plan before the budget expires Friday.

“Americans want the government to stay open, and they want it to spend less money,” Boehner said in remarks released before the National Religious Broadcasters convention. “We don’t need to shut down the government to accomplish that.”

Troops from US, S. Korea begin drills

SEOUL, South korea

South Korean and U.S. troops have kicked off their annual drills, while North Korea has vowed retaliation for what it says is a rehearsal for invasion.

The South Korean and U.S. militaries say the drills that began today are to practice responses to any potential emergency on the Korean peninsula.

North Korea issued a statement Sunday calling the drills a “dangerous” plot aimed at toppling the North’s government.

It said if provoked, North Korea would start a “full-scale” war with counterattacks against the allies.

Associated Press