What should I do if my child's fever doesn't subside after taking fever-reducing medication?

If a child's fever does not subside after taking fever-reducing medication, parents can take the following measures: 1. **Observation Time**: A child's body temperature usually starts to decrease about half an hour to an hour after taking fever medication. If there is no significant drop in temperature within this time frame, parents can wait a little longer, as medications require a certain amount of time to take effect. 2. **Time for Medication to Take Effect**: Different fever-reducing medications take effect at different speeds. Some may begin working within 15 minutes after administration, while others may require 30 minutes or longer to reach peak effectiveness. Parents should patiently wait for the medication to work. 3. **Hydration**: Encourage the child to drink more warm water. Proper hydration can accelerate blood circulation and promote sweating and urination, which may help reduce body temperature. 4. **Lukewarm Sponge Bath**: Give the child a lukewarm bath with water temperature maintained at about 37°C. Use a warm, damp towel to wipe areas rich in blood vessels such as the palms, soles, armpits, groin, and neck for approximately five minutes. Repeating this wiping action can help lower body temperature. 5. **Cool Compress on the Forehead**: Place a cold compress or cool water bag on the child's forehead or use it as a pillow under the back of the head to help reduce fever. 6. **Fever-Reducing Patches**: Apply fever-reducing patches to the forehead, temples, neck, or other recommended areas to achieve a cooling effect.