Patient's question:
The newborn has had a high fever and had a chest X-ray taken. The doctor said it was pneumonia. They have been hospitalized for two days, but the high fever hasn't subsided, and they have been running a temperature of over 38 degrees. What should be done about a newborn with pneumonia and a fever?Doctor's answer:
Alcohol bathing is a commonly used method for reducing fever, but it is no longer recommended for infants. Rubbing alcohol on an infant's body can cause their skin to rapidly relax and contract, which can be highly irritating to them and may even lead to alcohol poisoning. Many parents often use cold compresses or ice on the forehead to lower fever. However, this method should not be used for children under six months old, as infants are easily affected by external temperature changes. Using cold compresses can cause a rapid drop in temperature, making it difficult for infants to adapt. Additionally, when an infant has a fever, their overall body temperature rises, so local application of ice only provides localized cooling. It is better to wipe the infant's entire body with lukewarm water.