Question
The child suddenly developed a fever of 38.5-39.7 degrees Celsius on the afternoon two days ago. I gave him fever-reducing medicine when the temperature exceeded 39.5 degrees. This morning, the fever suddenly subsided, but no rash has appeared yet. There’s a bit of runny nose today. Is this an emergency? Will the fever recur? How was the past treatment and its effectiveness? When should anti-fever medication be used? Does my child’s condition require an emergency visit?
Answer
The child’s condition may be due to a viral infection, such as a cold or flu. Generally speaking, if the child’s body temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius, fever-reducing medicine can be administered. Since the fever has subsided, there may be no need for an immediate emergency visit. However, if the child exhibits any of the following conditions, it is recommended to go to the emergency room immediately:
- Difficulty breathing or blue skin color.
- Fever lasting more than 3 days or body temperature exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.
- Drowsiness or difficulty waking up.
- Extreme restlessness, even when held.
- Appearance of purple spots on the body. Additionally, even if the child’s temperature has dropped, if the condition does not improve or there are any changes (such as vomiting, abdominal pain, drowsiness, etc.), medical attention should be sought immediately. Generally speaking, fever is a way for the body to resist viruses or infections and can be safely endured under a doctor’s guidance. As for whether the fever will recur, this depends on the child’s physical condition and the specific disease they face. If the child’s immune system has not completely defeated the virus or infection, the fever may reappear.