Question
The 3-year-old baby has a fever of 39 degrees at night. It has been diagnosed with tonsillitis and treated with antibiotics, but the fever still persists. Inquiry about whether the tonsillitis has healed and how to handle the situation.
Answer
A child’s fever can be caused by an infection. If the fever lasts for more than 48 hours, or is accompanied by symptoms such as coughing, vomiting, or lack of energy, the child should be taken to the hospital for a urine test to determine if the infection is bacterial, viral, or mycoplasma, and medication should be prescribed accordingly. Additionally, the doctor should examine the child’s lungs to rule out pneumonia. If the fever persists for a long time, attention should also be paid to whether the child has been infected with the Epstein-Barr virus. When the body temperature is above 38.5 degrees, antipyretic medication should be used; if it is below 38.5 degrees, physical cooling methods such as wiping the child’s neck, armpits, inguinal area, and groin with a warm towel can be adopted. The diet should be light and avoid greasy and irritating foods. If the fever does not subside, timely medical treatment should be sought.