Question
A 3-year-old child has been experiencing persistent low fever and has already undergone 8 days of intravenous treatment, but the fever has not subsided. The white blood cell count is 10.77 (H), the lymphocyte percentage is 41.8 (H), the lymphocyte count is 4.5 (H), and the platelet count is 334 (H). The Mycoplasma pneumoniae IgM antibody test result is negative. The child has previously been treated with erythromycin, but showed an allergy to it. Professional advice is sought: how should medication be administered, how should the situation be handled, what are the potential adverse effects of long-term low fever (nighttime temperature ranging from 38 to 38.5 degrees) on the child’s body, and should intravenous treatment continue?
Answer
Based on the above situation, the baby has been experiencing recurrent fevers since around the age of 3, and has received 8 days of intravenous treatment with no improvement. The blood routine is basically normal, so there is no need to be overly concerned, as children’s lymphocytes are usually higher and white blood cell counts are normal. If the intravenous treatment was for anti-inflammatory medication, it is not recommended to continue. It is suggested to undergo a detailed examination at a higher-level hospital or consult a different doctor. There is no need to be overly concerned about a fever below 38.5 degrees; physical cooling methods can be considered, such as wiping the armpits, forehead, and inguinal areas with alcohol.