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Q: My 7-month-old baby’s fever keeps coming back after an ear infection. Should I wipe him with lukewarm water or use a different medicine?

  • Myeongchan Kim
  • 3 hours ago
  • 3 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:

Hello. My 208-day-old baby weighs 8.5 kg. He had a mild fever this morning, so we went to the pediatrician, who said he had nasal congestion and phlegm. (He had an ear infection for about 3 weeks and just stopped his medication yesterday.) However, he doesn't have a cough or a runny nose—just a rattling sound when he breathes.


When we got home from the clinic, his temperature was 38.4°C at 1:00 PM, so I gave him 3 ml of acetaminophen. His temperature went down, and he was fine all day, but the fever spiked again after he fell asleep for the night. At 7:10 PM, his temperature was 38.5°C, so I gave him another 3 ml of acetaminophen. It seemed to go down briefly, but now it's back up to 38.5°C again.


He's currently sleeping but tossing and turning a bit. I only have him dressed in a thin t-shirt and a diaper. Should I wipe his body with lukewarm water? Or should I give him a different fever reducer?


Answer:

Hello! It is completely understandable that you are worried about your 7-month-old (208 days) baby having a recurring fever, especially right after finishing treatment for an ear infection.


Based on your description, your 8.5 kg baby has a recurrent fever of 38.5°C, has been taking 3 ml of acetaminophen (at 1:00 PM and 7:10 PM), and currently has rattling sounds without coughing or a runny nose.


Here is what you can do right now:

  1. Avoid lukewarm sponge baths: Wiping with lukewarm water is no longer recommended. According to current medical guidelines, it makes the child uncomfortable and has very limited effectiveness in reducing fever.

  2. Dress lightly: Keeping the baby in a diaper and a thin t-shirt is appropriate.

  3. Control room temperature: Maintain a comfortable room temperature of around 24-26°C (75-79°F).

  4. Encourage hydration: Offer breast milk or formula frequently while the baby is awake.


Regarding fever reducers:

  • Next acetaminophen dose: This can be given 4 hours after the last dose, meaning after 11:10 PM.

  • Dosage check: For an 8.5 kg baby, the recommended acetaminophen dose is 85-127 mg, which equals about 2.7-4 ml. The 3 ml you administered is a perfectly appropriate dose.

  • Alternative medicine: If the fever remains at 38.5°C or higher into the early morning hours and your baby is fussy, you can alternate and give ibuprofen instead.


When you need to revisit the clinic immediately:

  • If the fever persists for more than 3 days.

  • If your baby's breathing becomes rough, heavy, or rapid.

  • If feeding amounts drop to less than half of normal.

  • If there are no wet diapers for over 8 hours.


Since your baby's immune system might be temporarily weakened after the recent ear infection, he could have caught a mild cold. If your baby eats and plays well when awake, try not to worry too much and simply help him rest comfortably. However, if the fever continues tomorrow, please revisit your pediatrician for an in-person evaluation to be safe.


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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