Question
My child is just over four years old and has a fever. Is it okay to give them American ginseng?
Answer
When a child has a high fever, it’s important to first consider non-pharmaceutical treatment methods. This can include drinking plenty of water, reducing clothing layers, or removing bedding. For infants under six months, a 35% alcohol or lukewarm water bath can be used to cool down when the temperature exceeds 39℃; for children over six months, effective antipyretic medication should be administered for treatment. Additionally, oral antipyretics are also an effective method of fever reduction. Before these treatments are carried out, it’s necessary to determine the cause of the fever and develop a treatment plan accordingly. The child’s fever started on October 9th at 7 am, with a measured temperature of 37.3℃. Previous treatment and its effectiveness included taking antipyretic syrups. Placing wet cold towels on the wrists, calves, and other areas, while covering the rest with clothing, is also a method of cooling down.