Can children with a fever take a warm bath?

Sep 04, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng

Introduction

In general, whether a child with a fever can take a warm bath depends on the severity of the fever, the child's mental status, and the water temperature. If the child's body temperature is below 38.5°C, the child is in good mental condition, and the water temperature is maintained between 38°C and 40°C, a bath is usually acceptable. However, if the body temperature exceeds 38.5°C, the child appears listless, or the water temperature is either too high or too low, bathing is not recommended.

Generally, whether a child with a fever can take a hot shower should be determined by considering the fever level, mental status, and the water temperature. If the child's temperature is below 38.5°C, their mental status is good, and the hot water temperature is maintained between 38-40°C, it is usually acceptable for them to bathe. However, if the temperature exceeds 38.5°C, the child appears listless, or the water temperature is either too high or too low, it is not advisable. A detailed explanation is as follows:

When a child has a mild fever, is in good spirits, and the hot water temperature is appropriate, taking a hot shower can help open the skin pores, promote heat dissipation, and relieve the discomfort caused by body heat. The shower time should be controlled within 10-15 minutes to avoid excessive physical exhaustion.

If the child has a high fever and is physically weak, taking a hot shower may increase physical strain and potentially cause dizziness, fatigue, or other discomforts. If the water temperature is too high, it may irritate the skin and hinder heat dissipation, which is not conducive to lowering body temperature. Conversely, if the water is too cold, the child may catch a chill, worsening the fever symptoms.

During a child's fever, daily care should include maintaining good indoor ventilation and an ambient temperature of 22-26°C. The child should be encouraged to rest and avoid strenuous activities. Their diet should consist of light, easily digestible foods such as porridge and soft noodles.

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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.