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FEVER
Why do we develop Fever ?
Fever is present when the body temperature is higher than the normal of 37C when measured in the mouth, or 37.7C when measured in the rectum. Fever commonly occurs when the body is fighting off a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection, although it may also be due to non-infections disorders such as injuries, overheating (heat stroke),and dehydration. Fever is usually accompanied by other symptoms that may help identify the cause.
SYMPTOMS
- A body temperature above normal ( usually 39C. in adult and 38.5C in chidlren).
- Flushed face, hot skin.
- Accompanying symptoms (of other disorders):
- Headache, body aches, light headed.
- Shivering, chills, rigors(severe shivering followed by profuse sweating and a sudden drop in body temperature.
- Sweating thirst.
- Fast breathing.
- Poor appetite
- Confusion or delirium, especially in the elderly.
- In children, unexplained crying, feeding difficulty, or irritability.
COMPLICATIONS
- Febrile fits (convulsions),especially in children between 6 months and 6 years of age.
- Brain damage due to prolonged or repeated febrile fits.
COMMON CAUSES
- Bacterial, viral or parasitic infection.
- Heat stroke, dehydration.
- Thyrotoxicosis (toxic condition due to hyperactivity of the thyroid gland).
- Heart attack.
- Some forms of cancer (e.g. lymophoma or tumor of the lymphatic system).
WHAT YOU CAN DO
- Take a rest.
- Try to bring down the fever by removing excessive layers of clothing and using an air conditioner. Do not use thick clothes, coats, or blankets, as the fever may increase further.
- Take a cool (not cold) bath.
- Sponging with lukewarm water(especially for children).Leave the moisture on the body to dry to achieve a cooling effect. Keep sponging until the fever goes down.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Eat regular meals, even with a poor appetite. The body needs the nutrition and energy, particularly if it is fighting an infection.
- Take temperature readings every 4-6 hours(at least 30 minutes after eating or drinking).
- Take antifever medicine if you have a headache or the temperature reaches at least 39C in adults and 38.5 in children 12 years old and below.
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR/PHARMACIST IF:
- An infant less than 12 months old runs a fever.
- Fever remains at 39C or more in adults, and 38.5C or more in children below 12 years of `age despite efforts to bring it down.
- Fever lasts for more than 5 days(3 days in children).
- There are accompanying symptoms, such as cough with yellowish or greenish phlegm, earache, severe headache, marked irritability or confusion, dry mouth, stiff neck, abdominal pain, severe back pain, rash, extreme thirst, severe sore throat, painful urination ,vomiting and fits.
- You are pregnant and run a fever.
WHAT YOUR DOCTOR/PHARMACIST CAN DO FOR YOU
- Determine the cause of the fever.
- Admit you into hospital for treatment, if he suspects the fever to be caused by a serious disorder.
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