Question
A parent inquires about a seven and a half month-old baby who has a fever. The baby had a fever the previous afternoon with a maximum temperature of 38.3 degrees Celsius. The fever subsided yesterday, but it has flared up again today, with temperatures ranging between 37.5 to 38.2 degrees Celsius. The parent asks whether it is necessary to take the child for a blood test.
Answer
Doctors suggest that for a seven-month-old baby with a fever below 38.5 degrees Celsius, it is advisable to first use fever-reducing medication like Tylenol, along with physical cooling methods such as using fever-reducing patches, wiping the baby’s forehead, neck, chest, back, inguinal area, armpits, and limbs with lukewarm water for at least ten minutes each time, and to replenish fluids as needed. If the temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius, consider using fever-reducing medication and continue to monitor the temperature. Regarding whether to conduct a blood test, doctors point out that if the baby’s mental state is good and the temperature does not exceed 38.5 degrees Celsius, it is appropriate to observe and take the aforementioned measures first; however, if the baby’s mental state is poor or there are other symptoms, it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly so that the doctor can determine whether further examination, such as a blood test, is necessary.