A child has contracted influenza A and develops a fever as soon as they fall asleep.
My child has contracted influenza A. He seems fine during the day, but his fever returns as soon as he falls asleep. The fever-reducing medication brings the temperature down a bit, but the fever comes back again after a while. What should I do?
Doctor's answer (1)
Influenza A, also known as H1N1 flu, refers to the influenza caused by type A influenza virus. After children are infected with Influenza A, body temperature changes may be related to the body's immune response. During sleep, the metabolic rate decreases, and the immune system may become more active in fighting the virus, which can cause an increase in body temperature.
Parents should closely monitor their child's condition, ensure the child gets sufficient rest, and maintain good indoor air circulation. Physical cooling methods, such as sponge baths with lukewarm water, can be used to help reduce the child's body temperature. Parents should also pay attention to isolating the infected child from other family members to prevent the spread of the virus.
If the child's fever is high (body temperature exceeding 38.5°C), appropriate doses of fever-reducing medications such as Paracetamol tablets or Ibuprofen sustained-release capsules may be administered under a doctor's guidance to alleviate fever symptoms.
During treatment, the child's diet should be light, nutritionally rich, and easy to digest. The child can eat moderate amounts of fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, and other foods. Spicy foods such as chili peppers should be avoided, as they may irritate the body and affect recovery.
When the child is sleeping, parents should create a comfortable sleeping environment, avoiding excessively high indoor temperatures or using overly thick bedding, which may prevent effective heat dissipation and cause an increase in body temperature.
