Is viral fever contagious?

My 5-year-old child has a viral fever and is being cared for at home, with the fever being reduced by wiping with cool water. Is the illness contagious, and when should I take my child to the hospital? (Ngoc Quyen, Ho Chi Minh City)

Reply:

Viral fever is a condition in which a child is infected with a virus or bacteria. Fever is a sign that the child's body is reacting to fight off the pathogen.

Many types of viruses cause common viral fevers, such as enterovirus, adenovirus, and rhinovirus. They can enter a child's body through the respiratory or digestive tract.

Besides the common symptom of fever, children may have other symptoms such as cough, sneezing, chills, headache, body aches, fatigue, tonsillitis, runny nose, sore throat, difficulty breathing, rash, swollen eyes, vomiting, etc.

Fever is only one of the symptoms of viral fever; the symptom itself is not contagious. However, the agents causing fever, whether viruses or bacteria, can be infectious. Respiratory viruses are transmitted through droplets, coughing, sneezing, and kissing. Gastrointestinal viruses are transmitted through food and drink, unhygienic food, sharing eating utensils with sick people, and waste products such as feces and urine. The level of danger depends on the virulence of each type of virus and the child's constitution.

Viral fever-causing agents can be transmitted through the respiratory tract when children cough or sneeze. (Image: Freepik)

Your child has a viral fever and needs to be isolated for treatment, limiting contact with other children to reduce the risk of infection. All family members should wash their hands frequently throughout the day with soap and water or disinfectant solution, eat cooked food and drink boiled water, avoid sharing personal items, and keep their living space clean.

Children with uncomplicated viral fevers will gradually recover and get better after about 7 days, or a maximum of 10 days. You can lower your child's fever by frequently wiping their body with cool water, giving them warm baths, encouraging them to drink plenty of fluids, and using over-the-counter fever reducers for viral fevers (usually ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Your child needs to eat a nutritious diet. If the fever persists for more than 7 days, you should take your child to the hospital for treatment.

If your child shows signs such as faster-than-normal breathing, chest retraction, seizures, lethargy, constant crying, excessive vomiting and diarrhea, urinating less than usual, dry lips, etc., you should take them to the hospital immediately.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Hanh Trang
Pediatrics Department, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City

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