Can a baby with a 39°C fever sleep in an air-conditioned room?
Fever usually refers to an elevated body temperature, and a temperature of 39 degrees means 39°C. When a baby has a fever of 39°C, it is acceptable to turn on the air conditioning while sleeping if the room temperature is too high, but the temperature should not be set too low; around 28°C is ideal. Specific analysis is as follows:
Generally, it is safe to turn on the air conditioning when a baby has a fever of 39°C. A temperature of 39°C indicates a high fever, which may easily lead to febrile seizures. If the room temperature is excessively high during sleep, turning on the air conditioner to cool the room is recommended. However, care should be taken not to set the temperature too low—ideally between 26°C and 28°C. While using the air conditioner, ensure proper indoor air circulation and open windows for ventilation whenever possible. Additionally, avoid directing the airflow from the air conditioner straight onto the baby, as this could worsen the baby’s condition. Parents should actively take measures to reduce the baby's temperature to prevent recurring fever episodes, which might otherwise lead to dehydration and subsequent electrolyte imbalance. Under medical guidance, antipyretic medications such as acetaminophen tablets or indomethacin tablets may be used to help bring the child’s body temperature back to the normal range.
When a baby experiences high fever, in addition to medication, physical cooling methods can also be applied simultaneously to quickly bring the body temperature back to normal levels.