Why is my child still running a fever after receiving intravenous fluids for five days? What should I do?

Nov 11, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Introduction
In general, if a child still has a fever after receiving intravenous fluids for five days, it may be related to the severity of the illness, poor drug efficacy, allergies, infections, pneumonia, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the cause, and then follow a doctor's guidance for treatment through medication, surgery, or other appropriate methods. In daily life, parents should pay attention to observing and caring for their child's condition changes to help them through this difficult period. Regarding diet, it should be kept light and simple.

Under normal circumstances, if a child still has a fever after receiving intravenous fluids for five days, it may be related to factors such as severe illness, poor drug efficacy, allergies, iatrogenic infection, pneumonia, or other causes. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the specific cause, and then follow a doctor's guidance to treat with medications, surgery, or other appropriate methods. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Severe illness: If the child's condition is particularly severe, it may require a longer time to bring the illness under control. Five days may not be sufficient to fully manage the condition.

2. Poor drug efficacy: The child may be insensitive to the medication being used, resulting in suboptimal therapeutic effects and persistent fever. It is recommended to change the medication under a doctor's supervision.

3. Allergic reaction: During intravenous therapy, the child may develop an allergic reaction to the medication or the infusion equipment, leading to continued fever after five days of treatment. The patient may also experience symptoms such as dizziness and headache. In such cases, the patient should follow medical advice to take antiallergic medications, such as Loratadine tablets, Cetirizine hydrochloride oral solution, or Methylprednisolone sodium succinate for injection.

4. Iatrogenic infection: If improper techniques or unsterilized infusion equipment are used during the intravenous process, it may lead to infection in the child, causing fever even after five days of intravenous treatment. The child may also experience discomfort such as nausea and vomiting. At this time, it is important to inform the medical staff and undergo necessary examinations, such as blood culture and urinalysis, to determine the type and pathogen of the infection. Additionally, follow a doctor's instructions to use anti-infective medications such as Cefaclor granules, Cefadroxil tablets, or Azithromycin for injection.

5. Pneumonia: If the child suffers from pneumonia, even with intravenous treatment, the inflammation may not be completely controlled, resulting in fever persisting after five days of intravenous therapy. The patient may exhibit symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, and sputum production. Follow medical advice to use pneumonia-targeted medications, such as Amoxicillin granules, Cefdinir granules, or Penicillin G sodium for injection. If the child's condition is severe, hospitalization may be required, and surgical interventions such as lung lavage might be necessary.

In daily life, parents should pay close attention to observing and caring for their child's condition changes to help them through this difficult period. Regarding diet, emphasize light and easily digestible foods, and avoid spicy or irritating foods such as pepper, chili peppers, and garlic, which may hinder recovery.