Question
Is a child’s refusal to eat a sign of anorexia? The child has symptoms of hoarseness, runny nose, doesn’t eat, doesn’t drink milk, sometimes has abdominal pain, doesn’t like to drink water, and doesn’t eat the things they used to like. They are in good spirits, and the symptoms have persisted for 5 days. Past treatment and effectiveness: The fever is not severe, but the issue of not eating needs attention.
Answer
After a child falls ill, there are two main characteristics: a lack of energy and a loss of appetite. Sometimes only one of these symptoms may appear. These symptoms may be related to the child’s fever. Additionally, abdominal pain in children should be noted as it might be associated with mesenteric lymphadenitis, which is often related to fever. Guidance: The primary issue at hand is to actively treat the fever, which can include antiviral medications, drinking plenty of water, monitoring body temperature, and conducting routine blood tests to determine if there is a bacterial infection. If mesenteric lymphadenitis is diagnosed, active anti-inflammatory and antiviral treatments should be initiated.