Q: Why does my baby's fever keep coming back after having diarrhea?

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Question: My 16-month-old baby has had a fever and diarrhea for over a week. The diarrhea had a little blood in it, but it's getting better with the medicine we got from the hospital. The fever went away but came back, especially at night. Her temperature was 38°C at the hospital today. She seems fine and plays during the day, but the fever returns in the evening. What could be causing this recurring fever?

Answer: Hi there, I understand you’re very worried. Your 1-year 4-month-old baby had fever and diarrhea with some blood for over a week. The diarrhea improved with medicine, but the fever returned, especially at night.

Why Is the Fever Coming Back? 1. The infection may not be fully gone—some bacteria take time to clear. 2. A complication might have developed—like dehydration or another issue. 3. A new infection could have started—like malaria (if common in your area) or another illness.

What You Should Do Now

✅ Continue giving the prescribed medicine as directed.

✅ Ensure your baby drinks plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

✅ Check for malaria if it wasn’t tested yet.

✅ Use fever medicine based on your child’s discomfort, not just the number on the thermometer.

✅ Avoid lukewarm sponging — it can make kids feel even more uncomfortable.

✅ Return to the hospital if:

• The baby becomes weak or refuses to eat/drink.

• Vomiting a lot.

• Fever keeps rising or lasts too long.

You’re doing a great job monitoring your baby. Keep watching closely, and don’t hesitate to seek medical help if needed! 💙

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

https://fevercoach.us