What should I do if a 15-month-old child has a fever of 38°C?

Generally, fever refers to an elevated body temperature. A 1-year-and-3-month-old child with a fever of 38°C may be experiencing it due to factors such as catching a chill, indigestion, or pediatric pneumonia. Fever can be reduced through methods including drinking more warm water, cold compresses with ice packs, wiping with a warm towel, applying fever-reducing patches, and medication. Specific analysis is as follows:

1. Drink More Warm Water

When a 1-year-and-3-month-old child has an elevated temperature, drinking more warm water can help lower the fever. Increased fluid intake promotes sweating, which helps regulate body temperature. It also increases urination, aiding in the elimination of toxins through urine and contributing to fever reduction.

2. Cold Compress with Ice Pack

If the child's fever is below 38.5°C, a cold compress using an ice pack may be used for cooling. Wrap the ice pack in a towel and place it on the forehead to promote heat dissipation and help reduce body temperature.

3. Wiping with a Warm Towel

To avoid rapid drops in body temperature, warming the child with a damp, warm towel is another option. Wiping the whole body with a warm towel can dilate blood vessels and help lower surface body temperature.

4. Applying Fever-Reducing Patches

Fever-reducing patches provide physical cooling. They are convenient, have minimal side effects, act quickly, absorb heat evenly, and offer long-lasting cooling effects, making them an effective method for reducing fever.

5. Medication

If the above measures do not improve the condition and the child’s temperature continues to rise, medications such as ibuprofen suspension or acetaminophen tablets may be used under medical guidance to reduce fever.

If the child experiences fever accompanied by other discomfort symptoms, it is recommended to seek timely medical attention at a hospital to avoid delaying treatment.