Question
A 3-year-old child has a fever of 38.8 degrees Celsius, with warmth in the palms and soles. Should the child’s upper body be exposed to promote cooling, or should clothing and blankets be worn to prevent chills?
Answer
For the situation and symptoms you described, if the baby’s body temperature is below 38.5 degrees Celsius, physical cooling (using warm water to wipe) and the administration of antipyretic medication can be done. In daily life, it’s important to pay attention to diet. When a child’s body temperature rises, due to the large temperature difference between the inside and outside of the body, the child usually feels cold, so blankets should be used to cover up. If the baby sweats slightly, the body temperature will decrease as the sweat is released, and the condition will improve. Additionally, if the baby’s body temperature is below 38.5 degrees Celsius, physical cooling (using warm water to wipe) and taking antipyretic medication can be performed. It’s also important to pay attention to diet in daily life.