What to Do When a Child Has a Fever and Body Temperature Exceeds 38.5 Degrees?

Question

What should parents do if a four-year-old child has a fever and the body temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees?

Answer

Fever in children can be caused by viral or bacterial infections. It is recommended that parents take their child to the hospital for examination and follow symptomatic treatment as diagnosed by the doctor. Fever is the body’s response to inflammation, and if the body temperature exceeds 40 degrees, it may affect the child’s brain, so active treatment is required. If the temperature drops, a routine blood test can be conducted to check for signs of pharyngeal congestion, whether the tonsils are swollen, and if there are any signs of inflammation. Timely use of antibiotics to control infection and dexamethasone to lower body temperature can prevent complications such as febrile seizures.