Fever

When tight clothes are worn.

During exercise.

When the climate is extremely cold or hot.

Hormonal disturbance in the body (during some special occasions in the month, the temperature of a female goes high).

Without any of the above symptoms, if the body temperature is above 100 F (37.5 C), it can be considered as a fever.But one need not worry about this temperature if he does not feel ill or uncomfortable.

If the body temperature is above 103 F (39.5 C) with a feeling of illness, we must consult the doctor.

Especially in children, we must check for rash whenever they have fever. They may be due to measles, chicken pox or typhoid.

Some times rash may appear after 3 to 4 days or even a week after the start of the fever.

If blisters are observed along with rash it should be taken as chickenpox.

In some cases pain killers and Antipyretic tablets may cause rash. If the rash appears within a few hours after consumption of the tablets, we must consult the doctor immediately.

Fever may be followed by shivering in cases of malaria and urinal infections.

Fever which increases the body temperature suddenly, is accompanied by shivering also.

Vomiting may be common in all fevers. Children with high fever should never be forced to eat something. Glucose water, fruit juice, plain water can be given sufficiently. The liquids are converted into sweat and its evaporation helps in reducing the fever.

If a child suffered a long periods of fever due to infection – a fever of 99.5 F may continue ever after the infection has subsided. The fever gets reduced in a few days automatically.

Cold and cough

Swelling of tonsils

Bronchitis

Infection of ‘Brandi’ tubes which takes air into the lungs

Infection of the ear

Chicken pox

Mumps

Infection of urinary tract

Pneumonia

Jaundice

Rheumatism

Tuberculosis

Rheumatic fever

Malaria

Typhoid

Head Ache

Vomiting

Shivering

Weakness

Body pain

Bitter mouth

Yellowish urine

Fits in children

Babbling or talking in sleep

Peculiar behaviour

Giddiness

Loss of appetite

Constipation

A fever of 102 – 103 F should considered as high fever and all care should be taken with children. Even if the child is active, a fever of 101 F should be considered as illness.

Children are likely to have fits during high fever, doctor must be consulted before the fever becomes serious.

Before the doctor’s help becomes available, the precautions to reduce the body temperature are as follows:

Remove the clothes on the body and wipe the body with a wet cloth.

Hands, legs, chest, abdomen, and the back are to wiped with a wet cloth as often as possible. You can put on the fan if necessary.

When the child has fits he may jerk his hands & legs. They may persist for few seconds. At that juncture the child’s face may also turn blue.

In case of fits, the child must be laid down on a pillow with the pillow under the back. If he is laid flat, there is a danger of the froth entering the lungs.

Crocin/melacin/pandol/calpol tablets containing paraceutamol should be given to all children above five years at an interval of 3-4 hours.

Children below five years can be given paraceutamol syrup – 2 teaspoons every 3-4 hrs. This is a safe dosage. For infants, half teaspoon or 8-10 drops is the dose. (Caution: These medicines should be given only under the supervision of a doctor).

Child with high fever should be served with sufficient water. If water is not taken temperature will not come down even with the best medicine. It is essential to drink water for the temperature to come down, in case of children.

Mother's milk can be given to infants with fever.

Elders should have paraceutamol tablet (crocin) every 4-6 hrs.

Disrobe the patient and wipe all over the body with a wet cloth. Specially, the chest abdomen and thighs.

Some feel that keeping a wet cloth over the forehead is sufficient. The temperature reaching the brain. But this is a misnomer. Wiping all over the body is a must.

Drink lot of water. Rest is a must. During fever, consumption of calories is more, hence suitable food must be taken to replace the lost calories.

Glucose/horlicks/fruit juice must be taken in sufficiently. Gravy water with either sagu, Barley or rice boiled in it can be had. One can have upma or cooked rice made into a pulp. Buttermilk and milk also are good to drink.

Coffee, tea or bread also can be had.

Meat, eggs, curd, butter and oily food are prohibited.

100 F (37.8 C) is considered as low fever

102 F (38.9 C) is fever

104 F (40 C) is high fever

105 F (40.6 C) and above is very high fever

For children place the thermometer for 5 minutes under the armpit

Add 1 F or 1 C to the reading of the thermometer – this is the actual temperature of the child.

The body temperature will be minimum at 4:00am and maximum at 8:00pm with a difference of 1 F (0.5 C).

When children cry continuously their temperature may go up.

After recovery from a long fever, the body temperature may be lower than normal. One need not worry bout this.

Patient usually is rid of the earlier symptoms of trouble. Feeling of perfect peace of mind is the first indication.

Anxiety and disgust get subdued.

Headache and body pain disappear.

Vomitings, shivering, and bitter mouths are no more.

Urine becomes clear.

Fits and babbling disappear.

Appetite returns.

One should not go empty stomach while having fever.

If food is vomited, wait for 1-2 hrs and give something the patient likes.