Should I do anything if my child has a fever of 39.8°C and falls asleep?

Generally speaking, fever refers to an elevated body temperature. When a child falls asleep after developing a fever of 39.8°C, timely intervention is required. The analysis is as follows:

Although sleep helps the body's self-repair mechanisms, a body temperature of 39.8°C falls into the category of high fever. If not treated promptly, it may further increase, potentially leading to febrile seizures, which are harmful to the child's health. Parents can use a cold, damp towel, wrung out, and place it on areas such as the child's forehead, armpits, and groin to help reduce the temperature. Care should be taken to avoid sensitive areas such as the chest, abdomen, or top of the feet. Fever-reducing patches can also be used as an auxiliary method to lower body temperature. If the child is sleeping deeply, ice packs or fever-reducing patches may be applied to the head, armpits, or neck.

While applying physical cooling methods, if the child's temperature remains high for a prolonged period, medications such as ibuprofen suspension, paracetamol granules, or cefixime chewable tablets should be used after identifying the cause of the fever and under a doctor's guidance.

After administering medication, parents are advised to measure the child's temperature every 2–3 hours to monitor changes. Additionally, the child's sleep condition should be closely observed. If the child sleeps peacefully, breathes steadily, and shows no obvious signs of discomfort, their sleep should not be disturbed. However, if the child becomes restless, experiences difficulty breathing, or cannot be awakened, immediate medical attention is necessary.