Question

I’ve had a fever for three days now. The fever started in the afternoon of the first day, with a body temperature of 39 degrees Celsius. I gave my child fever-reducing medicine. The next morning at 4 a.m., I gave the child more fever-reducing medicine, and the temperature dropped. By 3 p.m. in the afternoon, the fever started again, just below 39 degrees Celsius. A little after 6 p.m., the child took another dose of fever-reducing medicine, and the temperature went down. At 3 a.m., the temperature was back up to 39 degrees Celsius, and after taking the fever-reducing medicine, it didn’t drop. By 4 a.m., the temperature rose to 39.5 degrees Celsius. Later, I used ice cubes to wipe my child’s body and alcohol to lower the temperature. The fever finally subsided. In the morning, we went to the hospital for a check-up, and blood tests showed elevated C-reactive protein levels, up to 24. What should I do? Do I have to be hospitalized and receive intravenous treatment? What medication is most effective?

Answer

C-reactive protein is a human acute-phase reactant that is non-specific and part of a routine screening panel, serving as an auxiliary diagnostic tool. There are many causes of elevated C-reactive protein levels, including hepatitis, nephritis, severe pulmonary tuberculosis, streptococcal infection, pneumonia, purulent infection, rheumatism, tumors, liver and gallbladder diseases, leukemia, aplastic anemia, cardiovascular disease, surgical operations, and burns, among others. Therefore, diagnosis should be made based on clinical symptoms and signs. It is recommended to undergo X-rays to rule out pulmonary diseases and to receive treatment based on the actual situation. C-reactive protein is an acute-phase reactant in our body and has diagnostic value for acute inflammation and tissue damage.