What should I do if my baby has a fever of 40 degrees?

If a child shows symptoms of high fever, parents will undoubtedly be the most worried, because children's body resistance is relatively weak, so once the fever becomes serious, they may be in danger of life. This is no joke. In real life, there are some babies whose fever reaches 40 degrees and they are basically in a state of fainting. So, what should I do if my baby has a fever of 40 degrees?

1. If the child's temperature is below 38.5 degrees, it is generally not recommended to give too active cooling treatment. You can let the child drink more water and move more, and sometimes the temperature will drop.

2. If the body temperature is over 38 degrees but less than 38.5 degrees, it depends on the child's own condition. For example, if there is a history of high fever convulsions, or if the child's temperature is found to be rising rapidly (the temperature changes of the child each time may be very different due to different pathogens), even if it is less than 38.5 degrees, the child should take antipyretics.

3. If the child's body temperature reaches or exceeds 38.5 degrees, it is recommended to give antipyretic treatment. The most important, accurate and direct way is to give antipyretics such as Tylenol, Motrin and other drugs, supplemented by physical cooling methods. The two antipyretics can be used alternately (but not necessarily), especially when the body temperature remains high and one antipyretic does not control the body temperature ideally.

4. If the fever is above 38.5 degrees, please ask the doctor to confirm whether it is a viral infection or a bacterial infection immediately. If it is a viral infection, use antiviral drugs (such as ribavirin); if it is a bacterial infection, use antibiotics (such as cephalosporins). Do not rush to reduce the fever. The fever is only a symptom and the cause of the disease must be found out.

Will a child's high fever damage his brain?

The most common rumor about fever is that a high fever may damage the baby's brain. This is how the child of a certain niece got his brain damaged. In fact, it is not a simple fever that burns the brain, but is caused by diseases such as encephalitis and meningitis. Generally speaking, a fever below 41°C will not cause direct damage to brain nerve tissue. Fever only causes damage to the brain when the body temperature is above 42°C, and the body temperature will only reach this level when it is exposed to extreme ambient temperatures. For example, leaving children in a closed car on a hot day.