Question
The baby has been coughing for several days. I measured the temperature in the morning and it was 37.6 degrees Celsius, and just now it was 37.4 degrees Celsius. Is this considered a high fever? Previous treatment and effectiveness: The doctor prescribed Shuanghuanglian Granules and Amoxicillin yesterday, which are being taken. Concerns: Do I need to go to the hospital? I’m afraid of avian influenza and am hesitant to go to the hospital!
Answer
A high fever is defined as a body temperature of 37.3℃ to 38℃. Fever can also be physiological, meaning it is not indicative of illness. Such fevers are typically between 37.2～37.5℃ (axillary temperature), with good spirits and appetite, and without any symptoms. Through thorough examination, no abnormalities are found in these cases. In such situations, it’s best to also measure the rectal temperature; if the rectal temperature is below 38℃, it should not be considered a fever (rectal temperature is higher than axillary temperature by 1℃). For children, this type of fever is also considered normal because the standard for normal body temperature is based on the values of most people, not absolute values.