What should I do if my child is frightened and has a fever?

Some children will have a fever after being frightened. This problem is quite common. So don't be too anxious to cool them down at this time, otherwise it will have a counterproductive effect. Also, don't give them too many antipyretics, as these drugs will cause any problems to their bodies. So try to use alternating hot and cold compresses as a treatment method.

No rush to cool down

If the doctor determines that you just have a cold, it is best not to rush to take antipyretics within your tolerance range. Fever is one of the body's mechanisms to fight infection. Our body mobilizes its own defense system to kill foreign pathogens by raising body temperature (generally speaking, pathogens will die above 39°C), thereby shortening the duration of the disease and enhancing the effectiveness of antibiotics.

If you use medication to reduce fever at the onset of a cold (37-38.5℃), the bacteria in your body will be temporarily put into a state of suspended animation and become resistant to the drugs. Once they revive, they are often more difficult to treat.

Cold compress

If a high fever is too much for you to handle, you can use cold compresses to help lower your body temperature. Place a cold wet towel on your forehead, wrists, and calves, and cover other parts of your body with clothing. When the cold compress reaches body temperature, it should be changed and repeated until the fever subsides. You can also wrap ice cubes in a cloth bag and place it on your forehead.

Heat

If the body temperature is not too high, you can use hot compress to reduce the fever. Use a hot, wet towel to repeatedly wipe the patient's forehead and limbs to dissipate heat from the body until the fever subsides.

However, if the body temperature rises above 39°C, do not use hot compresses to reduce the fever. Instead, use cold compresses to prevent the body temperature from continuing to rise.

Wipe your body

Evaporation also has a cooling effect. Experts recommend using cool running water to help dissipate excess heat from the skin. Although you can sponge your entire body, pay special attention to areas where your body temperature rises, such as your armpits and groin. After squeezing out excess water from the sponge, wipe one area at a time, keeping the rest covered with clothing. Your body heat will evaporate this water, helping to dissipate the heat.

Bath

Sometimes, there's nothing more relaxing than a warm bath. It can also help relieve fever symptoms. Babies should be bathed in warm water or wrapped in a wet towel, which should be changed every 15 minutes.

Fluid replacement

When you have a fever, your body sweats to dissipate the heat; but when you have a high fever, your body loses too much water and closes its sweat glands to prevent further water loss, which prevents your body from dissipating the heat. The solution is to replenish fluids, drink plenty of boiled water and fruit and vegetable juice, which are rich in vitamins and minerals, especially beet juice and carrot juice. If you want to drink tomato juice, choose a low-sodium product. Solid foods should be avoided during a fever until the condition improves.

If the vomiting is not serious, you can also eat ice cubes to reduce fever. Pour juice into an ice tray and freeze it into ice cubes. You can also put grapes or strawberries in the ice tray. This is especially popular among children with fever.