Question
A baby over four months old has a high fever of over 39 degrees and it persists. The baby started to have a fever after 10 pm last night, and after receiving two injections, the temperature was still 38.5 degrees this morning, with only fever-reducing medication taken. By 3 pm, the fever rose again to over 39 degrees, and the baby was treated with intravenous drip again. At 7:30 pm, the fever reached 39.3 degrees once more, and fever-reducing medication was taken again. It has been over two hours since then, and the baby has fallen asleep.
Answer
The normal body temperature for a healthy child is about 36.9℃ to 37.5℃. When the body temperature is more than 1℃ lower than the normal baseline, it can be considered a fever. Low-grade fever refers to a body temperature around 38℃, while high fever means a body temperature exceeding 39℃. If the fever persists for more than two weeks, it is called prolonged fever. Regarding your baby’s condition, the severe high fever suggests that it may not be just a common cold or other common diseases. It is recommended to consult a doctor immediately to determine whether it is a viral or bacterial infection.