Should I wake up a child who has a fever and is asleep to give them fever-reducing medication?

Generally speaking, fever refers to an elevated body temperature. Whether to wake up a child with fever to administer antipyretic medication depends on the specific circumstances. If the child's body temperature is below 38.5°C, it may not be necessary to wake them for medication; however, if the temperature exceeds 38.5°C, it is recommended to wake the child to give antipyretics. Seek medical attention promptly if any discomfort occurs. The details are as follows:

If the child's body temperature is below 38.5°C, it is usually not necessary to wake them to administer antipyretics. When the body is fighting infections or inflammation, raising the body temperature helps enhance immune system activity and aids in combating illness. Administering antipyretics too early may interfere with the body’s natural defense mechanisms and potentially delay recovery. In such cases, physical cooling methods can be used—such as wiping the child’s forehead, neck, and armpits with lukewarm water, ensuring good indoor ventilation, and dressing the child in light, breathable clothing—to help dissipate heat.

If the child's body temperature exceeds 38.5°C, especially when reaching or surpassing 39°C, it is advisable to wake the child and administer antipyretic medication promptly. High body temperature increases the risk of febrile seizures in children, which may potentially harm the nervous system. Timely administration of antipyretics can effectively lower body temperature and reduce the risk of febrile seizures.

Commonly used antipyretics for children include ibuprofen suspension, acetaminophen (paracetamol) drops, and Xiao'er Chai Gui Tui Re Granules. When administering antipyretics, strictly follow the doctor’s instructions and dosage guidelines on the drug label to avoid underdosing or overdose.