Question
How can I treat my baby’s fever more effectively? My baby’s body temperature has reached 39 degrees, and I want to know if intravenous drips or injections are faster. What could cause the fever? Does my baby’s preference for staying in an air-conditioned room also contribute as a cause? Moreover, he has been eating rice porridge and prefers harder foods; could this affect digestion and lead to fever? He has taken anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrheal medications in the past, but what was the effect? I hope to receive more effective treatment suggestions and understand what severe situations might entail.
Answer
The treatment for baby fever should be determined based on the cause of the fever. Common causes of fever include bacterial infections, viral infections, and mycoplasma infections. If the fever is caused by an infection, treatment should be directed at the infection. In cases of severe fever, it is advisable to follow medical instructions for fever-reducing medications. For babies under 6 months old, since their liver and kidneys are not fully developed, physical cooling methods should be prioritized. Common fever-reducing medications include aspirin (but note that it should not be given to children under 16 years of age) and acetaminophen, which is recommended by the World Health Organization as the first-line fever-reducing medication for infants and children over 2 months old during high fevers. Before administering fever-reducing medication, please consult a doctor or pharmacist.