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Q: My 19-month-old baby's temperature dropped to 34.1°C after taking prescribed fever medicine for the flu. Is this hypothermia okay since they are sleeping well?

  • Myeongchan Kim
  • 3 hours ago
  • 2 min read

Medically reviewed by Sang Hyun Ahn, MD

Content edited by Myeongchan Kim, MD


This post is a dramatization of a question and answer session experienced by our actual medical reviewers. Please note that this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.


Question:

My 19-month-old baby had Influenza A, and their fever fluctuated for over a week. The fever had finally settled, but recently spiked again. We visited the clinic, and the doctor said their throat was still swollen. They prescribed medication, which included a fever reducer, and advised us to give it for two days even if there was no fever.


Tonight is the second day. After taking the evening medication (including the fever reducer), I put my baby to sleep. They started sweating profusely, so I wiped them down and checked their temperature—it was 34.1°C! I quickly tried to warm their body, and now the temperature is fluctuating between 34.5°C and 35.3°C. Their lip color is normal, breathing is fine, and their hands and feet are warm. My baby is sleeping soundly, but I am extremely worried. Is this okay?


Answer:

I understand how worried you must be about your baby's sudden drop in temperature, especially after they have already been battling the flu for over a week.


Current Situation Assessment:

A body temperature of 34.1°C to 35.3°C is abnormally low (hypothermia). However, it is a very reassuring sign that your baby is sleeping comfortably, has normal lip color, stable breathing, and warm hands and feet.


Immediate Actions to Take:

  1. Cover your baby with a warm blanket, but be careful not to over-bundle them to the point of sweating again.

  2. Maintain a warm and comfortable room temperature, ideally between 24°C and 26°C.

  3. Recheck their temperature every 30 minutes.

  4. For the most accurate reading, use a tympanic (ear) or rectal thermometer rather than an underarm one.


⚠️ When to Go to the Emergency Room Immediately:

Please seek immediate emergency medical care if any of the following occur:

• The temperature remains continuously below 35°C.

• The baby becomes limp, extremely lethargic, or unresponsive when you try to wake them.

• Their breathing slows down, or their lips turn blue.

• The temperature does not rise above 36°C after 1 hour of gentle warming efforts.


Because there is a possibility that the low temperature is a side effect of taking the fever reducer when the body temperature was already stabilizing, please double-check the medication dosage and the exact times it was administered. I strongly recommend calling your local emergency medical services or a medical hotline right away for real-time guidance. Low body temperature requires prompt attention, so please seek an in-person medical evaluation at an emergency room if the temperature does not normalize quickly or if you observe any of the warning signs listed above.


For extra peace of mind and clear guidance when tracking your child's symptoms, the FeverCoach app is always there to help.






 
 
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