Question
The child keeps having a fever and, after taking antipyretic medication, experiences diarrhea with loose, runny stools and a fishy odor. Recently, there have also been symptoms of runny nose and cough. The body temperature drops in the morning but rises again in the afternoon and evening. What kind of help is needed? What could be the cause, and what should be done?
Answer
Firstly, a routine stool test should be conducted to confirm the diagnosis, observing for the presence of white blood cells to differentiate between indigestion and enteritis. Additionally, attention should be given to whether there is intestinal dysfunction due to the fever. If it’s indigestion, it is recommended to take oral medications such as Shanyao Jianpi Oral Liquid, Mami Love, and Simida. If the test results show inflammation, anti-inflammatory treatment should be administered, which may include oral cefaclor and combined with antipyretic therapy. In severe cases, intravenous fluid therapy may be necessary to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. At the same time, the interval for changing diapers should be shortened to allow the gastrointestinal tract to rest and to increase fluid intake. When providing complementary foods, it is advisable to temporarily stop or reduce the amount and gradually resume after improvement. Special attention should be paid to avoiding difficult-to-digest foods. These are the suggestions for the issue of “a child keeps having a fever, nausea, vomiting, cough, and thick tongue coating.” I hope this helps you; wishing you health!