Should physical cooling still be performed if the patient falls asleep with fever?
May 16, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Shuwen
Introduction
If a feverish person falls asleep, physical cooling measures should still be taken if the body temperature rises, to prevent further increase in temperature. If the body temperature has already returned to the normal range, physical cooling may be temporarily withheld. If the body temperature does not exceed 38.5°C, fever can be reduced using physical cooling methods. If the body temperature exceeds 38.5°C, antipyretic medication should be taken as directed by a physician.
In general, when a person falls asleep with a fever, physical cooling measures should still be taken if the body temperature continues to rise. However, if the body temperature has returned to the normal range, physical cooling may be temporarily withheld. The details are as follows:
1. Required
If a febrile patient's body temperature remains above the normal range after falling asleep, family members should still use physical methods to help reduce the fever and prevent further temperature increase. There are various physical cooling methods available, such as applying a fever-reducing patch on the forehead, placing an ice pack wrapped in a dry towel over major arteries, or wiping the forehead, armpits, palms, and soles of the feet with a warm towel to help lower body temperature.
2. Not required
If the measured body temperature of a febrile patient is within the normal range after falling asleep, physical cooling may be temporarily avoided. However, family members should continue monitoring the patient's temperature regularly to detect any recurrence of elevated temperature.
Fever refers to an imbalance between heat production and heat dissipation in the body. If body temperature does not exceed 38.5°C, physical cooling methods can be used to reduce fever. If body temperature exceeds 38.5°C, antipyretic medications such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules or acetaminophen tablets should be taken as directed by a physician.
