How many days does a child's viral fever last?
Disease description:
My child has a viral fever caused by a cold, and I'm especially worried about his health. I'd like to ask the doctor: how many days does it take for a child's viral fever to recover?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xin
The duration of viral fever in children varies from individual to individual, but typically lasts 2-7 days. The exact number of days depends on multiple factors, including the child's physical condition, the type of virus causing the infection, the site of infection, and whether complications are present.
If the child is in good physical condition and infected with a smaller amount of virus, recovery may occur within 2-5 days. However, for children with weaker constitutions or higher viral loads, the recovery period may be longer, although improvement is generally seen within 5-7 days.
For certain specific viruses, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the fever may last longer, even up to 1-3 weeks. During this period, parents should closely monitor the child's body temperature and implement appropriate physical or medication-based cooling measures. If the child develops severe symptoms such as persistent high fever or lethargy, prompt medical attention should be sought.
