How many days does a child's viral fever last?
Disease description:
Doctor, my child has had a fever for the past few days. How many days does a viral fever usually last?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
The duration of viral fever in children is related to the type of virus infection, the age of the child, immune status, and whether there are complications.
1. Common viral infections: In most viral infections, such as influenza, the febrile phase usually lasts 2–5 days; fever caused by roseola infantum can last 3–5 days; and fever due to chickenpox may persist for 1–5 days. During this period, a child's body temperature may rise repeatedly, especially at night.
2. Severe or chronic viral infections: Some severe viral infections, such as acute infectious mononucleosis caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, may result in fever lasting 10 days or even extending to 1–2 months. In addition, DNA viral infections such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) and EBV may lead to a chronic onset with recurrent fever, and the recovery period may require 1–3 weeks.
If a child's fever lasts more than one week or is accompanied by severe symptoms such as persistent high fever, difficulty breathing, continuous vomiting, lethargy, rash, or seizures, prompt medical attention is advised. In daily life, avoid excessive bundling and ensure good indoor air circulation.
