Question
The child is 5 years old and has been experiencing fever, headache, and abdominal discomfort since yesterday afternoon, with a body temperature of 37.8℃ and a red throat. The fever persists even after taking antipyretics, and the child has had two fevers in the past month, with a history of tonsillitis. What treatment methods are recommended, as well as advice on how to bring down the fever?
Answer
Firstly, it is important to have a doctor confirm whether the cause of the fever is a viral or bacterial infection. For viral infections, antiviral medications (such as ribavirin) can be used, while bacterial infections should be treated with antibiotics (such as cephalosporin drugs). When it comes to lowering the fever, it is not advisable to focus solely on bringing down the fever but to identify the cause. Additionally, you can learn several physical methods of cooling down, such as using ice packs to compress the forehead or applying diluted alcohol to the back. Moreover, ensure adequate hydration to prevent dehydration and consume light, easy-to-digest liquid foods.