Having a fever means having a body temperature above the normal range of 36.7-37.5 ° C. Fever can accompany many illnesses and, depending on the underlying cause, can be an indication of some minor or even serious health problem. The most accurate way to measure a fever is to use a thermometer, but in the absence of this there are a few ways to interpret the symptoms and determine if you need to see your doctor.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Controlling the Fever Symptoms
Step 1. Touch the person's forehead or neck
This is the most common way to check a fever without a thermometer, which is to touch the forehead or neck to see if these areas are warmer than usual.
- Use the back of your hand or your lips, as the skin on your palm isn't as sensitive as it is in these other places.
- You don't have to feel the person's hands or feet to check their fever, as these are usually quite cold areas when the body temperature is quite high.
- This is the first thing to do to understand if a person is unwell, but it is not possible to accurately determine if a dangerously high fever is present. Sometimes the skin may feel cold and clammy with a high temperature, while other times it may feel very hot even without a fever.
- Be sure to check the temperature in an environment that is neither too hot nor too cold, and above all check that the person has not just sweated due to physical activity.
Step 2. Check if the skin is red or otherwise red
Fever usually causes the cheeks and face to turn red. However, it may be difficult to notice this if the person has dark skin.
Step 3. See if the person is lethargic
Fever is often accompanied by lethargy or extreme fatigue; the sufferer tends to move or speak slowly or refuses to get out of bed.
If a child has a fever, they usually feel weak or tired, don't want to play, and often lose their appetite
Step 4. Ask the person if they feel sore
It is quite typical in the case of a fever to have pains in the muscles and joints all over the body at the same time.
Headache is also a symptom that often occurs in the presence of fever
Step 5. Check if the person is dehydrated
When the body temperature is high, it is quite easy for the body to be dehydrated. Ask the person if they are very thirsty or if their mouth is dry.
If your urine is bright yellow in color, it could be an indication of dehydration and you may have a fever
Step 6. Ask the patient if they feel nauseous
This is a typical symptom of fever and other illnesses such as the flu. Pay close attention if the person is nauseous or vomiting and cannot hold on to food.
Step 7. Check for trembling and sweating
It is quite common for people to shiver and feel cold when they have a fever, even when everyone else in the room feels comfortable.
The person may also alternate between feeling hot and cold when they have a fever. Even if the temperature rises and falls, it is quite common to shiver and feel very cold
Step 8. Manage any febrile seizures that last less than three minutes
A febrile seizure is manifested by body shaking that usually occurs in young children shortly before or already in the presence of a high fever. About 1 in 20 children under 5 years of age will experience febrile seizures at one time or another. While it can be impressive to see your baby having a seizure, know that it does not cause permanent damage. Here's what you need to do to treat it:
- Place the baby on its side in a free space or on the floor.
- Do not try to hold him during the seizure and do not put anything in his mouth at these times, because he will not swallow his tongue with this type of seizure.
- Stay with him during the seizure until he stops after 1-2 minutes.
- Lay him on his side in a safe position as he recovers.
Part 2 of 3: Determine if the Fever is High
Step 1. Seek immediate medical attention if the child's febrile seizures last more than three minutes
This can be a sign of a more serious condition. Call 911 for an ambulance and stay with the child, keeping him on his side in the recovery position. You must get medical attention immediately if febrile seizures are accompanied by:
- He retched;
- Nuchal stiffness;
- Breathing problems
- Extreme sleepiness.
Step 2. Contact your doctor if your child is less than 2 years old and symptoms persist for more than a day
Give him plenty of fluids and encourage him to rest.
Step 3. Medical intervention is also important if the person has severe abdominal or chest pain, has difficulty swallowing, and a stiff neck
These are all potential symptoms of meningitis, a highly contagious and life-threatening disease.
Step 4. Call the doctor if the person is agitated, confused, or hallucinating
These could all be signs of a virus or bacterial infection (such as sepsis, which can also lead to hypothermia).
Step 5. Get medical attention if you notice blood in your stool, urine or mucus
These are also signs that indicate a more serious infection.
Step 6. It is important to seek medical attention if the person's immune system is already weakened by another disease such as cancer or AIDS
A fever could be a sign of an attacked immune system or other conditions or complications.
Step 7. Discuss other serious conditions that could cause fever with your doctor
In fact, there are many diseases that can cause fever. Find out from your doctor if the fever in your case could be caused by:
- A virus;
- A bacterial infection;
- A heat stroke or sunburn
- Arthritis;
- A malignant tumor;
- Certain antibiotics and blood pressure medications
- Vaccines such as that for diphtheria, tetanus and acellular for whooping cough.
Part 3 of 3: Treating Fever at Home
Step 1. You can treat your fever at home if it is mild and if you are over 18 years old
Fever is the body's way of trying to heal or regain shape, and most fevers go away on their own after a few days.
- Fever can be managed with the right kind of treatment.
- Drink plenty of fluids and rest. There is no need to take medications, but they can help you feel less discomfort. Take an over-the-counter antipyretic such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
- Call your healthcare provider if symptoms persist for more than 3 days and / or more severe symptoms develop.
Step 2. Treat the fever with rest and fluids if the baby is not showing any severe symptoms
Children and adolescents should not take aspirin because it has been linked to a serious condition called Reye's syndrome.
- In any case, if the child has a temperature below 38.9 ° C it can be safely treated at home.
- A visit to the pediatrician is important if the fever persists beyond 3 days and / or more severe symptoms develop.
Advice
- Know that the most accurate way to manage fever at home is to take an accurate temperature with a thermometer. The best places to measure it are the rectum and under the tongue, or using a tympanic (ear) thermometer. Axillary temperatures are less accurate.
- If the baby is less than 3 months old and the fever exceeds 37.8 ° C, it is important to have him examined by the pediatrician.
