When a child develops a high fever due to COVID-19 infection, with a flushed face and listlessness, parents' hearts tighten with worry. Slow-acting fever reducers and recurrent fever spikes cause anxiety—is there a way to reduce the fever quickly?
Characteristics of Pediatric COVID-19 Fever and Common Missteps
Fever Traits:
Rapid onset: Sudden high fever (often >39°C) within 24 hours of infection.
Recurrence: Fever rebounds 4–6 hours after Western medication wears off.
Accompanying symptoms: Sore throat/food refusal, muscle aches, irritability/crying.
Parental Pitfalls:
Alternating ibuprofen/acetaminophen → Strains liver/kidneys.
Sweating tactics → Triggers febrile seizures.
Rubbing alcohol → Causes chills or toxicity.
TCM Approach to Pediatric COVID-19 Fever
According to Dr. Que Poh Yuen Albert, TCM expert at Singapore Gong Fang Tang, COVID-19 triggers a "struggle between healthy Qi and pathogenic factors," causing persistent high fever. Conventional antipyretics may fail to suppress the virus rapidly. The Anti-Toxin Fever-Reducing Simplified Formula swiftly releases heat, neutralizes toxins, and resolves fever at its root. Compared to standard drugs, it acts faster with fewer side effects, gentler on children’s delicate systems.
The formula combines three herbs:
Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica): Inhibits viral replication, reduces inflammatory storm.
Forsythia (Forsythia suspensa): Rapidly expels heat toxins, relieves throat swelling.
Cyrtomium (Cyrtomium fortunei): Resolves dampness and detoxifies, specifically targeting epidemic pathogens.
Adaptations:
Knife-like sore throat: Add mint (infuse last 3 minutes).
Vomiting/refusal: Mix decoction with honey.
Fever >39°C: Combine with lukewarm water sponging (neck/armpits/groin).
Case Study
Patient: 4-year-old child.
Symptoms: COVID-positive, 39.2°C fever. Ibuprofen temporarily reduced to 37.8°C, but spiked to 40.1°C at night. Crying, refusing food, pharyngeal congestion. Emergency care: Lukewarm sponging + cooling gel patch on forehead.
Prescription: Modified Anti-Toxin Formula.
Formula: Honeysuckle 5g + Forsythia 5g + Cyrtomium 4g + Mint 2g. Decocted to 150ml; 30ml every 4 hours.
Outcome: Temperature dropped to 38.1°C within 2 hours. After 12 hours (3 doses), stabilized at 37.3°C with reduced sore throat. No recurrence after 24 hours; energy restored.
