Question
An 11-month-old baby had a high fever the night before, improved after taking fever-reducing medicine, but is feverish again today. How should parents handle this situation?
Answer
It is recommended that parents take the baby to the hospital for a blood test to determine if there is a viral infection. If it is a viral infection, fever-reducing medicine is typically used to bring down the fever. However, if the baby has a fever again within 2-3 hours, antiviral medication such as ribavirin granules should be administered. For safety reasons, it is best to seek medical attention early, and wish the baby a quick recovery. The doctor may ask: Is the baby’s throat red and swollen? Are there any small blisters inside the throat?