Question
A 17-month-old baby developed a fever at 4 AM, with a temperature rising to 39.3 degrees. After taking ibuprofen, there was no improvement. The baby went to the hospital for a consultation at 6 PM and returned home, but the fever did not subside, and the parents were unsure what to do.
Answer
A baby’s fever usually has a cause, and parents should act promptly to identify it and administer the appropriate treatment. A routine blood test can be conducted first to determine the cause. If the temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees, fever-reducing medication should be used. At the same time, parents should ensure the baby drinks plenty of water and regularly measure the body temperature. Generally, the fever may persist for three to four days. If the temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees again, fever-reducing medication should be administered once more, and efforts should be made to find and treat the underlying cause.