Question
Female, 1 year old, our baby is normal during the day but suddenly has a fever at night. Could you please tell us what physical cooling methods are available for a child with a fever?
Answer
For children who do not wish to take medication for cooling, physical cooling methods can be adopted. A low-grade fever that does not subside may lead to meningitis, so prevention is necessary. Children with a fever are prone to dehydration, so they should drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. It is advisable to let the child wear fewer clothes and cover with a thin blanket to help dissipate heat and achieve a cooling effect. Rubbing the child’s hands and feet can also help reduce the fever, or you can use lukewarm water to wipe the entire body or take a lukewarm bath to cool down.