What department should a child with a fever visit?

Sep 04, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng

Introduction

In general, there is no absolute fixed department for children with fever. The choice of department can be based on accompanying symptoms and specific circumstances, such as pediatrics, pediatric respiratory medicine, pediatric emergency, pediatric infectious diseases, or pediatric gastroenterology. Additionally, if the child has underlying conditions such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, consultation with the corresponding specialist should be sought initially to rule out any effects related to the underlying condition.

Generally speaking, there is no absolute fixed department for children's fever. The choice of department such as pediatrics, pediatric respiratory medicine, pediatric emergency, pediatric infectious diseases, or pediatric gastroenterology depends on the accompanying symptoms and specific conditions. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Pediatrics

If a child only has a simple fever without obvious accompanying symptoms, or if parents are unsure of the exact cause, pediatrics should be the first choice. Pediatricians are skilled in diagnosing and treating common childhood illnesses. They can determine the cause of the fever through detailed questioning and basic examinations, such as common cold or exanthem subitum, and then provide targeted treatment recommendations.

2. Pediatric Respiratory Medicine

If a child has fever accompanied by respiratory symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, sore throat, or rapid breathing, it may be caused by respiratory diseases such as cold, bronchitis, or pneumonia. In this case, visiting the pediatric respiratory department is more appropriate. Doctors in this department specialize in children's respiratory diseases and can accurately identify the type of respiratory infection and formulate a professional treatment plan.

3. Pediatric Emergency

If a child has a high fever that persists, or if the fever is accompanied by convulsions, confusion, severe vomiting, difficulty breathing, or other emergency symptoms, immediate visit to the pediatric emergency department is necessary. The emergency department is equipped with rapid emergency equipment and response capabilities, enabling prompt treatment to alleviate critical conditions and avoid treatment delays.

4. Pediatric Infectious Diseases

If a child has fever accompanied by rash, diarrhea, vomiting, or has recently been in contact with patients with infectious diseases, and is suspected of having infectious diseases such as influenza, hand-foot-mouth disease, or chickenpox, it is recommended to visit the pediatric infectious diseases department. Doctors in this department are skilled in identifying and treating infectious diseases in children, effectively controlling the spread of infection while implementing appropriate isolation and protective measures.

5. Pediatric Gastroenterology

If a child has fever accompanied by significant gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, vomiting, or loss of appetite, it may be caused by digestive system diseases such as acute gastroenteritis or mesenteric lymphadenitis. In this case, visiting the pediatric gastroenterology department is more appropriate. Doctors in this department can identify gastrointestinal lesions through examinations and provide targeted treatment to relieve symptoms.

In addition, if a child has underlying diseases such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, fever may also first require consultation with the corresponding specialist to rule out the influence of the underlying disease. Before visiting, parents can check the hospital's official website or public account in advance to understand the outpatient schedule and reduce waiting time.

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How to reduce a child's fever of 39°C as quickly as possible

A child's fever of 39°C may be caused by post-vaccination reactions, high environmental temperature, upper respiratory tract infection, infantile emergency rash, bacterial tonsillitis, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and then rapidly reduce the fever through physical cooling methods, medication, or other treatments under a doctor's guidance. Additionally, the child's body temperature should be closely monitored daily, with measurements taken every 1–2 hours.

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How to reduce a child's fever of 39°C as quickly as possible

In general, a child's fever of 39°C may be caused by factors such as high ambient temperature, excessive clothing, influenza, tonsillitis, acute gastroenteritis, and other reasons. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and then proceed with general treatment, medication, or other methods under a doctor's guidance to reduce the fever quickly. During daily care, the child's body temperature should be closely monitored and recorded every 1–2 hours.

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How to reduce a child's fever of 38°C as quickly as possible

Fever refers to an elevated body temperature. A child's fever reaching 38°C may be caused by a hot and stuffy environment, vigorous activity, common cold, acute tonsillitis, infantile emergency rash (roseola), or other factors. The fever can usually be reduced through environmental adjustments, physical cooling methods, and medication. If abnormalities occur, prompt medical attention is recommended. When a child remains in a closed, high-temperature environment, the body may struggle to dissipate heat effectively, leading to an increase in body temperature up to 38°C.

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How many degrees indicate a fever in children?

In general, determining whether a child has a fever depends on the body site used for temperature measurement. Common methods include measuring under the armpit (axillary) and in the mouth (oral), and the criteria for fever vary according to the measurement site. When taking the temperature, avoid doing so immediately after the child has exercised, eaten, or cried. Wait until the child has been calm for 30 minutes to reduce measurement errors.