Is it normal for a baby to have a fever??

Patient's question:

Patient Age: 4 days away from being 6 months old
Detailed Condition and Purpose of Consultation: Suddenly developed a fever of 38.5°C last night
Duration of Current Illness: 2 days
Current General Condition: Currently has a fever of 39°C
Medical History: Last month, the child had a sudden drop in temperature while bathing, but it wasn't a high fever—only 37°C with a runny nose. It took about 8 days to recover.
This is the child's first high fever. Their hands and feet are cold, but their head and upper body are severely hot. Why is this happening? Is it normal?

Doctor's answer:

Hello, the child has a fever. Parents must not let their minds overheat; they should remain calm, not panic, and avoid haphazardly handling the situation. Instead, follow these steps in order:
1. Analyze the cause of the fever: Most fevers are caused by infections, with viruses being the most common, such as colds, influenza, measles, roseola, and epidemic mumps. Bacterial infections are the second most common, such as tonsillitis, scarlet fever, and meningitis. Parasitic infections can also cause fever, such as malaria and kala-azar, but these are relatively rare. Non-infectious fevers include heatstroke, dehydration, leukemia, tumors, trauma, or post-surgical conditions. There are also diseases that impair heat dissipation, such as generalized ichthyosis and hypohidrosis. Of course, it may sometimes be difficult to distinguish, but once the situation is clarified, it can provide reference for the doctor.
2. Observe the type of fever: Use a household thermometer to accurately measure the axillary temperature and record it. Below 37°C is considered normal, below 38°C is a low-grade fever, between 38–39°C is a moderate fever, and above 39°C is a high fever. Additionally, observe how long the fever has lasted and any other symptoms accompanying it.
3. Do not overuse antibiotics: Many households keep antibiotics on hand, and as soon as a child has a fever, they immediately give them various antibiotics. This is not appropriate. First, most antibiotics are ineffective against viruses and can even suppress the body’s immune function. Second, fever itself is a normal response of the body’s defense mechanisms to eliminate pathogens. If you use medication to kill bacteria and viruses, it will affect the proliferation of phagocytes and the production of antibodies, thereby impairing the body’s ability to fight the disease.