What should I do if my child has a high fever?
Aug 16, 2021
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xie Zixing
Introduction
If your baby’s fever is below 38.5°C, parents may use physical cooling methods—for example, applying a cool, damp cloth to the forehead. If the temperature exceeds 38.5°C, antipyretic medication may be administered under a physician’s guidance. However, high fever above 39°C may trigger febrile seizures in children. Because infants under six months of age can experience rapid clinical deterioration during fever, prompt medical evaluation and treatment are essential.
Infants’ bodily functions are still immature, and their immune resistance is relatively weak. Even minor lapses in care can easily lead to colds or fever. Generally speaking, a baby is considered to have a fever when the axillary temperature exceeds 37.5°C, or the rectal or tympanic (ear) temperature exceeds 38°C. So, what should you do if your child develops a high fever? Below, we address this question.
What to Do When Your Child Develops a High Fever
If your baby’s fever remains below 38.5°C, parents may employ physical cooling methods—for example, applying a cool, damp cloth to the forehead. If the temperature exceeds 38.5°C, antipyretic medication may be administered under a physician’s guidance. However, high fever exceeding 39°C carries an increased risk of febrile seizures in children. Because infants under six months old often experience rapid disease progression during fever episodes, prompt medical evaluation and treatment are essential. That said, some mothers worry excessively about their babies getting chilled and therefore overdress them—layering on significantly more clothing than adults wear. Infants’ thermoregulatory systems are not yet fully developed; excessive clothing impairs heat dissipation, causing body temperature to rise artificially—potentially leading to misdiagnosis of fever. In such cases, simply removing excess clothing often brings the temperature back down to normal.
Knowledge Extension: Important Considerations When Using Rectal Suppositories for Fever Reduction
1. Rectal suppositories may be used for fever reduction when tympanic (ear) temperature exceeds 38.5°C. However, if the child has diarrhea, suppositories should generally be avoided to prevent further intestinal irritation.
2. If tympanic temperature remains below 38.5°C, oral antipyretic syrup may be tried first. After administration, observe the child for at least 40 minutes; only if the fever persists and temperature remains elevated should rectal suppositories be considered.
The above outlines key approaches to managing high fever in children. We hope this information proves helpful to you.
