Question
How should I deal with my baby’s fever?
Answer
If a baby’s body temperature is above 38°C, it can be considered a high fever. When a baby has a fever, they can quickly reach temperatures of 38°C or even higher, so it’s important to go to the hospital promptly to check what is causing the high fever, whether it is due to inflammation or a viral infection. These two conditions are reflected differently on a blood test. If the white blood cell count is normal but another item (the name of which I’ve forgotten, but the doctor will inform you) exceeds the normal range, it is likely that the fever is viral, and you should not take antibiotics arbitrarily because antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections but not against viruses. If the white blood cell count is elevated, it is likely due to inflammation, and the doctor will prescribe medication accordingly.