Giving birth and raising beloved children to grow up and mature is never easy. In particular, young children have immature immune systems and weak resistance, making them prone to fever. So, what should parents do when a child has a 39-degree fever but still sleeps soundly? Read the following article to get the answers you need.
1. Causes of 39-Degree Fever in Children
Before answering the question of what to do if a child has a 39-degree fever but still sleeps soundly, let's explore the causes of a 39-degree fever with Ru9. There are two main groups of causes:
1.1. Pathological Causes
- Viral fever is a common cause of high fever in children, which can reach 39-40 degrees Celsius. Additionally, children may experience aches, headaches, diarrhea, etc.
- Dengue fever is also a cause of high fever in children (39 degrees). Children often have fever accompanied by sweating, rash, diarrhea, etc.
- Pneumonia: The child experiences symptoms such as high fever, wheezing, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, etc.
- Flu: A 39-degree fever due to the flu usually improves after 2-3 days. At this time, the child may have a stuffy nose, sore throat, loss of appetite, etc.
- Tuberculosis: The child shows signs of prolonged fever, excessive night sweats, weight loss, coughing up blood, etc.
- Besides the diseases mentioned above, meningitis, sepsis, measles, etc., are also common causes of high fever (39 degrees) in children.
1.2. Constitutional Causes
- Children's immune systems are still weak, so even a sudden heat wave or rain shower can cause a high fever of 39-40 degrees.
- You may not know that when babies are teething or have recently received routine vaccinations, they often exhibit high fever, difficulty sleeping, and fussiness.
- Newborns' body temperatures are often unstable, so if parents dress their children in too many layers of clothes, it can also cause a high fever.
- Children playing and sweating a lot can cause their pores to dilate, making them susceptible to catching a cold, leading to a high fever of 39-40 degrees.
A 39-degree fever in children can be due to illness or weather changes.
2. Is it dangerous if a child has a 39-degree fever but still sleeps soundly?
High fever in children is one of the top concerns for many parents. This is also a common condition in children with weak immune systems or newborns. When a child has a fever of 39 degrees, they often cry, feel very hot, and sweat continuously. However, there are also cases where a child has a 39-degree fever but still sleeps soundly. So, is a 39-degree fever dangerous in such cases?
According to experts, although 39 degrees is a warning sign of high fever in children, parents do not need to be overly worried or lose their composure if the child has a 39-degree fever but still sleeps soundly, is playful, and eats well. This is because sometimes a child's fever is not due to illness but to many other objective factors. At this time, parents only need to closely monitor the child's health and care for them according to the instructions of medical staff; after about 2-3 days, the child will recover.
However, if the child has a continuous high fever of 39-40 degrees Celsius accompanied by seizures, parents should be cautious. This is a dangerous symptom that can even seriously threaten the child's health and development. Some complications that can occur if the child has a high fever for too long include:
- Neurological sequelae such as mental retardation or cerebral palsy
- Multiple organ failure
- Cardiovascular and respiratory complications
- Coagulation disorders
A prolonged 39-degree fever in children is a serious health warning sign.
3. What should parents do when a child has a 39-degree fever but still sleeps soundly?
What should parents do when a child has a 39-degree fever but still sleeps soundly? As explained, this is not an overly dangerous phenomenon, but it should not be allowed to prolong. First, parents can help the child reduce fever by simply wiping their body with a warm towel. Additionally, parents should wring out the towel and place it in the armpits or groin to help the child dissipate heat faster.
If the child's condition does not improve, parents should consult a healthcare professional for advice on choosing a suitable and safe fever-reducing medication for young children. In addition, parents should note the following issues when caring for their child:
- Open the room windows to improve air circulation, making the child feel more comfortable.
- Ensure the child is adequately hydrated.
- Maintain a nutritious diet for the child.
- Absolutely do not arbitrarily bundle up or apply cold compresses to the child without consulting a healthcare professional.
- Dress the child in breathable clothing made of sweat-absorbent material. This is because excessive sweating can increase body temperature, making the child prone to chills and difficult to bring down the fever.
- If the child has a continuous high fever, avoid bathing them or exposing them directly to drafts to prevent dangerous cold exposure.
- Closely monitor the child's temperature and symptoms to take timely action.
- Go to the nearest medical facility for examination if the fever does not subside or worsens.
What should parents do when a child has a 39-degree fever?
The questions "What if a child has a 39-degree fever but still sleeps soundly? Is it dangerous?" and "What should parents do?" have been thoroughly answered in the article above. In addition to caring for a sick child, parents should pay attention to the child's sleep quality even when they are healthy.
Refer to more articles to help your child sleep better:
- Types of mattresses that help young children sleep well and grow taller
- Rubaby mattress for children
- Causes of head shaking in 3-month-old babies during sleep and how to fix it
- Effective, natural, and safe ways to treat cough in babies during sleep
- What to do if a child has a fever while sleeping? The most effective way to handle it
- Effective ways to treat cough in babies during sleep, understanding the cause of the illness
If you don't know how to help your child sleep soundly throughout the night, please contact Ru9's team of Sleep Care experts for further advice.
