How to deal with a child with a fever of 38.5 degrees

Whenever a child at home feels a little unwell, it always worries the mother. Fever is the most common symptom of illness in children. Whenever this happens, many parents will be at a loss, anxious like ants on a hot pan, not knowing how to help their children reduce the fever. Sometimes children may have a fever of 38.5 degrees in their daily life. In order to protect the health of children, we need to carefully understand the treatment methods. So how should we deal with a child’s fever of 38.5 degrees? Let’s see what authoritative experts say.

1. Step 1: Measure body temperature regularly

A baby's fever is both a symptom and a defensive reaction. Fever is not a bad phenomenon. It means that the body is fighting against pathogens, so it consumes a lot of physical energy and the patient will become sleepy and weak. When the mother notices that the baby's temperature or behavior is unusual, she should monitor the baby's temperature in time.

Because the baby's body temperature center is not yet fully developed, the baby's body temperature is easily affected by the environment, so the baby's normal body temperature also varies from person to person. When the baby has a fever, the most important thing for mothers is to monitor the baby. When you feel that the baby's temperature is close to normal, you should measure the baby's temperature every hour or so and monitor the temperature changes. This way you can understand the baby's condition more carefully and accurately, and take corresponding cooling measures.

Measure your baby's temperature regularly, and of course, choose a convenient and accurate thermometer. At present, there are many types of thermometers available on the market, and the measuring parts are also different. So which one is the most suitable for children?

"When taking your baby's temperature, safety and accuracy are the most important." In terms of the material of the thermometer, it can be divided into three types: glass mercury thermometer, electronic thermometer, and infrared thermometer.

A mercury thermometer can keep the mercury column in its original position as body temperature rises, making it convenient for the user to observe at any time. However, this type of thermometer is not suitable for newborn babies and babies who like to move around. Electronic thermometers are thermistor thermometers and are the most commonly used thermometers in Europe and the United States. This thermal thermometer has a fast measurement speed, usually taking less than a minute.

Unlike mercury thermometers and electronic thermometers, infrared thermometers can obtain body temperature values ​​without direct contact with the measurement target. And the measurement time usually only takes a few seconds. For parents who pursue high efficiency, this is an excellent baby thermometer.

2. Step 2: Physical cooling

Generally speaking, there are three types of baby fever: low fever 37.5℃-38℃; moderate fever 38.1℃-39℃; high fever 39.1℃-40℃. Generally speaking, if the baby's body temperature is below 38.5℃, and he is not feeling particularly uncomfortable and in good spirits, that is, he eats, sleeps and plays as usual, the mother does not need to rush to give the baby medicine, and physical cooling is more appropriate.

Warm water bath: Wiping the whole body with a warm water towel is a good way to reduce the temperature and is also suitable for all babies with fever. The water temperature should be 32-34 ℃, and each wiping time should be more than 10 minutes. The key areas to wipe are the skin folds, such as the neck, armpits, elbows, groin, etc.

Cold compress: Use an ice bag, hot water bottle or plastic bag, fill it with cool or ice water; you can also soak a towel in cool or ice water and wring it dry before applying a wet compress. The places for placement are the back of the head, forehead, armpits, and thigh roots.

Lower the ambient temperature: You can open windows for ventilation, wear less and cover less, and open swaddling or wrapped bedding to lower the temperature. For infants under 3 months old, opening their clothes and quilts and letting them wear less clothes may have the effect of gradually reducing their temperature. Generally speaking, babies with high fever should not be covered with thick quilts and should wear less clothes.

Drink more water and urinate: Babies with fever should drink more water to increase urine volume, which can promote the excretion of toxins in the body. At the same time, attention should be paid to replenishing the electrolytes lost by the body. Mothers can let the baby drink some glucose water or light salt water appropriately.

3. Step 3: Choose medicines for children

When your baby's fever is around 38.5℃-39℃, you can first take the following physical cooling methods at home. At the same time, you should also consider letting your baby take antipyretics. Some mothers may think that since they have already given their children cold medicine, they do not need to give them antipyretics. However, cold medicine does not have the effect of reducing fever quickly, and once the baby's body temperature exceeds 38.5℃, it is easy to cause effects on the body.

How to deal with a child's fever of 38.5 degrees? I believe everyone knows from the above content that if the baby's fever temperature rises, you must go to the hospital for treatment in time. Fever itself is very uncomfortable. Parents must take good care of their babies and try to use physical cooling methods to relieve the child's pain.