Question
A one-year-old baby suddenly develops a fever of around 39 degrees, with cold hands and feet and persistent sleepiness. The baby’s face is flushed. What could be the cause of this? You have already used fever-reducing patches and taken medication as prescribed by the doctor, but the baby continues to sleep. Should you wake the baby to give the medicine?
Answer
The causes of a baby’s fever are varied, including viral and bacterial infections. It is recommended to conduct a diagnosis of the cause and treat symptoms accordingly, as fever-reducing medication can only alleviate symptoms but not cure the root cause. During this season, common causes of fever include respiratory infections, especially viral infections. If the fever persists for a long time, it may be accompanied by bacterial infection. It is suggested to follow the prescription for medication, take the medicine on time, apply fever-reducing patches on the forehead, armpits, and groin, drink plenty of water. If the body temperature is below 38.5 degrees, oral fever-reducing medication is recommended. After sweating, you can give the baby a warm bath.