Question
My child has had a temperature of 37.7 degrees for two days now, I’m not sure if this is considered a fever, and whether it could lead to pneumonia? The baby is 22 days old and has never been to the hospital. I don’t know what to do.
Answer
If a 2-year-old child experiences recurrent fever along with symptoms like a stuffy nose and sneezing, it is typically associated with a respiratory infection. In such cases, the temperature may fluctuate but usually does not require immediate antibiotics. You can first administer appropriate fever-reducing medication and symptom-relieving drugs while monitoring the baby’s temperature and overall condition. If the baby’s temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees or they exhibit other discomforts such as difficulty breathing or listlessness, it is advisable to take the child to the hospital immediately. Additionally, it is recommended to closely observe any changes in the baby’s condition. If you notice that the baby’s condition is not improving or there is a tendency for it to worsen, you should also take the child to the hospital for examination and treatment promptly.