What causes low-grade fever (37.5°C), muscle aches, and chills during lactation, and what should be done about it?

Low fever, also known as mild fever, during lactation at 37.5°C may be caused by factors such as catching a chill, mild mastitis, or tonsillitis. Symptoms can be improved through general treatments or medications. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Catching a chill (common cold)

This may occur when a nursing mother fails to keep warm enough during lactation, leading to cold-induced muscle aches and low-grade fever. Drinking ginger-date tea may help expel coldness from the body and promote sweating and fever reduction.

2. Mild mastitis

This typically results from insufficient milk removal by the infant, causing milk accumulation and blocked milk ducts, which may lead to localized bacterial infection. Inflammatory stimulation can cause symptoms such as low fever, redness, swelling, and muscle pain. Using a breast pump to remove excess milk and applying warm compresses with a heated towel to the affected area may help relieve symptoms.

3. Tonsillitis

Lactating women with weakened constitutions may become susceptible to viral or bacterial infections, leading to inflammatory damage of the tonsils. Clinical manifestations include fever, difficulty swallowing, headache, general malaise, and chills. If symptoms are severe, breastfeeding may need to be temporarily paused under medical guidance, and medications such as Pudilan Xiaoyan Oral Liquid or Weic Yinqiao Tablets can be taken to alleviate symptoms.

Besides the above causes, low fever during lactation could also result from conditions such as calcium deficiency or endotoxemia. When necessary, prompt medical consultation is advised for thorough hospital examinations to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.