Patient's question:
Since yesterday afternoon, he has had a slight fever. After dinner, his temperature rose to 38.3°C, so we took him to the People's Hospital where he received a fever-reducing injection and intravenous fluids, and he also took fever-reducing medicine. His condition showed some improvement, but as soon as he arrived home and fell asleep, the fever returned. Just over ten minutes after the fever-reducing medicine took effect, it started again, reaching 38.5°C. He didn't cry or fuss and fell asleep.This morning, we took him to the hospital for a thorough blood test, and the results indicated a bacterial infection. The doctor suggested continuing treatment, but he didn't give him an IV drip this time. Instead, the doctor said if his fever drops below 38°C at home, we should give him fever-reducing medicine and bathe him to help lower his temperature. If it doesn’t reach 38°C, we should do nothing. However, after he slept for a while at home, his temperature rose to 39.5°C.
Medical History and Treatment Effects:
He was taken to the People's Hospital where he received a fever-reducing injection, intravenous fluids, and fever-reducing medicine, which showed some improvement. However, as soon as he arrived home and fell asleep, the fever returned. Just over ten minutes after the fever-reducing medicine took effect, it started again, reaching 38.5°C. He didn’t cry or fuss and fell asleep. This morning, we took him to the hospital for a thorough blood test, and the results indicated a bacterial infection. The doctor suggested continuing treatment, but he didn’t give him an IV drip this time. Instead, the doctor said if his fever drops below 38°C at home, we should give him fever-reducing medicine and bathe him to help lower his temperature. If it doesn’t reach 38°C, we should do nothing. However, after he slept for a while at home, his temperature rose to 39.5°C.
Type of Help Needed:
Is it possible that such high fever could lead to pneumonia? Is there any way to prevent him from being so focused on the fever and bring it down? The fever-reducing medicine he took doesn’t seem to be working at all.
Doctor's answer:
First, it's not necessary to be overly anxious about a temperature of 38.3 degrees. Physical methods can be used to lower the temperature. It's not advisable to take fever-reducing medication immediately after being discharged from the hospital, as this can be harmful to the baby.Advice: What the doctor said in the hospital is accurate. A temperature of around 38 degrees doesn't necessarily require medication. Bathing and drinking more water can help lower the temperature. Taking medication after this point can make it difficult to treat simple fever with other medications. For a temperature of 39.5 degrees, it is also recommended that you temporarily avoid chemical treatments (don't resort to IV drips). Instead, combine bathing, drinking more water, and alcohol rubs (using 75% alcohol mixed with warm water to rub areas with large blood vessels, such as the armpits and groin). Wishing you a speedy recovery!