Patient's question:
My nephew is one and a half years old. For the past three days, he has had a fever every afternoon, below 39 degrees Celsius, with poor spirits, no cough, no runny nose, but with night sweats. What could be the cause?Doctor's answer:
Please note whether it could be a viral cold, tonsillitis, otitis media, or possibly pneumonia with mild symptoms. See a doctor for a clear diagnosis before discussing treatment. Of course, the first step is to promptly control the fever, followed by treating the underlying cause.Antipyretics should be a household staple for children. Commonly available options include "Tylenol, Tylenol Suspension, Motrin, Children's Tylenol Chews," etc. Choose based on the child's age. Use them when the temperature exceeds 38.5°C. You may also keep on hand antelope horn powder or capsules to prevent seizures during high fevers when combined with antipyretics. Provide plenty of warm water, and physical cooling methods like ice packs or alcohol rubs can also be used.
After antipyretic treatment, parents should recheck the child's temperature to confirm if the fever has subsided or is in decline. Children with a history of high fever seizures should seek medical attention early upon fever onset. Those with asthma, favism (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency), or no prior use of antipyretics should use these medications under the guidance of a doctor.