Question
The anal temperature of a 5-month-old baby measured at 37.8 degrees Celsius. Is this temperature normal? The baby is newborn and often has red spots and vomiting. Parents are unsure what to do and would like to ask for expert opinions.
Answer
Hello, a 5-month-old baby’s anal temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius is generally considered normal. It is usually recommended that a baby’s body temperature not exceed 38 degrees Celsius. If it does not exceed this range, there is no need to take fever-reducing medication. At this point, physical methods of cooling can be adopted, such as using alcohol to wipe the body or using warm water to wash the face and forehead. However, if the body temperature exceeds 38 degrees Celsius, ibuprofen suspension or naproxen can be considered as fever-reducing medications. It is important to note that an elevated body temperature in babies may be a symptom of residual symptoms after a cold, and it is not advisable to over-medicate to reduce the fever. Instead, attention should be paid to subsequent nourishment and recovery to avoid a decline in physical quality and delayed recovery of the illness.