What should I do if a child with a fever refuses to drink water?

Generally, if a young child has a fever and refuses to drink water, the situation can be improved through various measures such as offering a variety of beverages, selecting appropriate drinking tools, timing water intake correctly, consuming fruits, or adjusting medication. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Offer a variety of beverages

If the child does not like drinking plain boiled water, diluted light juices can be tried instead, ensuring the juice is properly diluted to avoid excessive sugar intake.

2. Select suitable drinking tools

Choose fun and appealing cups based on the child's age and preferences, such as cups with cartoon patterns, animal shapes, or those that make sounds, to increase the child's interest in drinking water.

3. Timing of water intake

Offer water promptly when the child feels thirsty, such as after waking up, following physical activity, or after meals. Avoid forcing the child to drink immediately after eating or while they are happily playing, as this may cause resistance.

4. Consume fruits

Fruits also contain a large amount of water. Appropriate options include apples, pears, and watermelons, which can help replenish the body's water needs and are easily digested and absorbed.

5. Medication adjustment

If body temperature exceeds 38.5℃, antipyretic medications can be used under a doctor's guidance. Common medications include acetaminophen tablets and ibuprofen suspension, which inhibit prostaglandin synthesis in the body and help reduce fever.

If the above methods are ineffective, timely medical consultation is advised to identify the underlying cause at a hospital and receive targeted treatment accordingly.