Can Children with Viral Fever Take a Bath? How to Bathe a Feverish Child

Fever in infants and young children is a common occurrence, and parents often wonder if it is safe to bathe their little ones during this time. This article aims to address this concern and provide guidance on managing fever in children.

1 Can a Child with a Viral Fever Take a Bath?

According to medical experts, bathing a child with a viral fever can help them feel more comfortable and relaxed. Lowering the child’s body temperature through bathing can reduce irritability and fussiness. However, if the child is extremely weak, bathing may lead to a risk of catching a cold, so it is important to monitor their condition and make a decision accordingly.

Is it safe for a child with a viral fever to bathe?

Here are some important considerations when bathing a child with a viral fever:

• Avoid using cold water as it can lower the child’s body temperature further and worsen the fever.
• Ensure the bathroom is draft-free to prevent the child from catching a chill.
• Give the child a warm drink before bathing.
• Dry the child thoroughly after the bath to prevent chills.

2 How to Bathe a Child with a Viral Fever

Follow these steps to bathe a child with a viral fever safely:

Step 1 First, take the child’s temperature. If there are signs of decreasing body temperature, do not bathe the child at this time.

Step 2 Before bathing, give the child a warm drink, and during the bath, ensure the child’s body is immersed in warm water. The ideal water temperature for bathing is 37-38°C.

Step 3 Start bathing the child from the head and work your way down to the feet. Try to bathe the child as quickly as possible to minimize their exposure to water.

Step 4 After bathing, dry the child thoroughly with a soft towel and dress them immediately.

How to bathe a child with a viral fever

If you are still concerned about bathing your child with a viral fever, you can opt to use warm towels to wipe their body instead.

Step 1 Prepare five clean towels for this process.

Step 2 Soak the towels in warm water at a temperature of 37-38°C.

Step 3 Place two towels under the child’s armpits, two towels between their legs, and use the remaining towel to wipe their body.

Step 4 After wiping their body, quickly dress the child and keep them warm, ensuring they are not exposed to cold drafts.

3 Can a Child with a Viral Fever Shampoo Their Hair?

Can a child with a viral fever shampoo their hair?

Medical experts advise that it is safe to shampoo a child’s hair when they have a viral fever. Shampooing can aid in their recovery and alleviate feelings of heat and discomfort. However, when shampooing a child with a viral fever, keep the following in mind:

• Use warm water for shampooing, never cold water.
• Ensure the bathroom is draft-free during shampooing.
• Shampoo quickly and dry or blow-dry the child’s hair afterward.

4 What Should a Child with a Viral Fever Eat?

What should a child with a viral fever eat?

It is important to provide a variety of nutritious foods to support the child’s recovery:

• Encourage the child to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and help reduce body heat.
• Offer soft, easily digestible foods such as porridge or soup.
• Include vitamin-rich foods in their daily meals to boost their immune system and speed up recovery.

This article has provided guidance on managing a child’s viral fever, including bathing and feeding practices. We hope it has equipped you with the knowledge to confidently care for your little one during this time.

Sources: Medlatec.vn, Thu Cuc Hospital