Fever is body normal reaction towards infection and other illnesses. It is not a disease but a symptom. Normal body temperature is between 36.5ºC-37.5ºC. Above this is fever. Indicating a viral or bacterial infection. It can also indicate chronic disease or any immunological reaction.

Causes of Fever

• Viral infection causing common colds, sore throats and diarrhoea
• Bacterial infection example lung infection (pneumonia), tuberculosis (TB) and nerve infection (meningitis)
• Malaria/ dengue/ HIV
• Joint disease
• Cancer

Treatment

Minor infections can resolve on its own due our competent immune system

Home management for fever are :

• Mild fever <38 ºC with no complications
• Drink water or fluids frequently to replenish lost fluids.
• Eat light, easily digested food such as soup
• Try a shower or sponge bath with tepid water may reduce the fever.
• Dress lightly, do not wrap with blanket as this will increase the fever.
• Tepid sponging over body parts example head, feet and abdomen with wet cloth

When to see a doctor?

If you have serious symptoms:

• If temperature >38ºC not improve with home treatment.
• History of recent traveling outside your country .
• Has other symptoms like rash, bleeding, fit, drowsy, breathless, joint pain or swelling
• Pain in the abdomen, eye or cheek bone.
• Has other illness such as diabetes mellitus and cancer.
• History of dengue at your housing area.
• Unable to take enough food and fluids.
• Painful and frequent urination or less amount.
• No improvement after 4 to 5 days.
• Fever still persistent despite home treatment.
• Fever associated with injury

Prevention

• Avoid contact with someone who has fever with diagnosis of infectious disease example TB
• Practice good hygiene
• Take balance and healthy diet
• Avoid crowded areas example massive congregation and congested shopping areas
• Keep active with regular exercises

Frequently asked questions

How to measure body temperature?

• To be sure if you have a fever, measure your body temperature with a clinical thermometer, available from any pharmacy.
• Wash it with soap and water.
• Plaease read the information leaflet before using.
• Digital termometer is recommended as contrast for mercurial thermometer
• Ear probe thermometers can be used.
• Temperature color strips are not accurate and not advisable.

Reference

1. John Murtagh’s General Practice, July 2015, Six Edition