It is common for babies to have a fever, but some babies are prone to recurring fevers, which can be very distressing for parents. So, what should you do when your baby has a high fever?
What to do when your baby has a high fever:
1. Sponge bath with warm water
Use a towel dipped in warm water (the water should not be too hot to touch) to wipe the neck, armpits, and thighs for 5-10 minutes. You can also use commercially available "fever patches" (or homemade ice packs) on the forehead to help dissipate heat and cool down.
2. Alcohol wipe
When the fever is above 39 degrees Celsius, it can be considered a high fever. In this case, you can use alcohol to wipe the child's limbs, armpits, and back to achieve a good antipyretic effect.
3. Take antipyretic medication
When the baby's fever exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius, the doctor may consider using oral or rectal suppository antipyretics. If the above physical measures are not effective, oral antipyretics can be taken to reduce the temperature.
What medicine should a child take when their fever is 39 degrees Celsius:
When a child takes antipyretics, it is important to follow scientific guidance and take the medication according to the doctor's instructions.
1. Ibuprofen
Usage: It can be used for antipyretic in infants and young children, and can relieve mild headaches, sore throats, and toothaches caused by colds, flu, etc. The dosage is 5-10mg/kg of body weight, and it can be repeated every 6-8 hours if necessary, up to 4 times within 24 hours.
Advantages: It is one of the two recommended antipyretics by the World Health Organization, along with acetaminophen, and is a relatively safe antipyretic. Its advantage is that it can quickly and steadily reduce fever, with an average control time of about 6 hours, and up to 8 hours. It has a better antipyretic effect for fevers above 39 degrees Celsius compared to acetaminophen.
2. Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol)
Usage: 10-15mg per kilogram of body weight, once every 4 hours, up to 5 times within 24 hours.
Advantages: It is absorbed quickly and completely, and can produce antipyretic effects within 30 minutes of oral administration. It has relatively small side effects, minimal irritation to the gastrointestinal tract, no effect on platelet function and coagulation function, and no kidney toxicity, making it relatively safe. For children under 2 years old, doctors usually prefer to use this medication. It can also be taken with milk or juice.
