| Fever | |||||
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Fever is a raising of the body temperature, usually by th immune system in response to some type of infection.
Most bacteria that infect the body exist very comfortably at body temperature and by increasing body temperature to a higher level, the body is able to kill the bacteria by the millions and stop infection.
The body's thermostat in the hypothalamus controls body temperature and fever.
Normal body temperature is about 37° C (or 98.6° F). Fever occurs when temperature is rises above this.
Fever generally causes the following symptoms:
- Alternatively feeling hot and cold
- Feeling generally unwell
- High body temperature (over 37.5° C)
- Hot feeling in the face
- Lethargy
- Shivering
If fever progresses or gets too high, it can cause the following symptoms:
- Confusion
- Fits (especially in babies and young children)
- Hallucination
- Muscle spasms
- Rapid heart beat
High fever can cause convusions and may be especially dangerous in babies, toddlers, young children and the elderly. Always consult a doctor if fever is high.
Fever is usually cause by a viral or bacterial infection of some type, but it can also be caused by the following:
- Chronic illness - such as rheumatoid arthritis, hay fever
- Heat stroke - can cause heating up of the body (without sweating usually)
- HIV infection - the first sign of infection is a low grade fever
- Leukemia - usually cause some type of recurrent fever
- Malignancies - some malignant tumours can cause fever
- Topical diseases - such as typhoid fever, cause a recurrence of fever
Diagnosis and testing
Fever is usually diagnosed by a thermometer check (either under the armpit, in the mouth, in the ear or rarely in the rectum) for temperature.
Today thermometers are mostly electronic so a diagnosis of temperature can usually be taken fairly quickly.
Conventional treatment
- Increase fluids - drink more water and juice to rehydrate the body and help lower temperature
- Paracetemol or ibuprofen - these work to lower temperature
- Rest - have plenty of rest to help your body heal from the infection and lower fever
Alternative / completementary treatment
Always ensure that you notify your medical practitioner of any supplements that you want to take - it may interfere with other medication or conditions you have. Confirm with your doctor it is safe to take BEFORE you try it.
- Cold compresses - use a wet cotton cloth on the pulse points (forehead, arms especially) to help lower temperature, re-apply every few minutes as the cloth heats up due to the high temperature
- Garlic - this should be incorporated either as a supplement or fresh in food, to assist the body in healing when fever is caused by a bacterial or viral infection
- Increase fluid intake - drink plenty of water (around 8-10 glasses), juices (mix them with water) and herbal tea such as peppermint and chammomile
- Rest - resting the body allows it to heal itself naturally
- Vitamins - certain vitamins help the body heal quicker
- Vitamin A - this antioxidant vitamin assists the body to heal, when the fever is due to a bacterial or viral infection
- Vitamin C - the powdered form of vitamin C is especially beneficial in reducing fever
- Normal body temperature is about 37° C (or 98.6° F)
- Always err on the side of caution with children who have a fever over 40° C and take them to the doctor immediately (or call an ambulance - 000)
- If a child is convulsing due to fever and it does not stop after 5 minutes, call an ambulance - 000
- Children under 3 months who have a fever over 38° C (100.4°F) should be taken to a doctor immediately as they may be quite ill and require immediate medical attention
- Babies less than 6 weeks old who have any type of fever should be taken to a doctor as they require immediate medical attention
- Antibiotics have no effect on fever caused by viruses or any other reason other than a fever caused by a bacteria
- Aspirin should not be used in babies, children or teenagers to treat fever
references
- Amar PJ, Schiff ER. Acetaminophen safety and hepatotoxicity--where do we go from here? Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2007 Jul;6(4):341-55. Review
- Fetveit A. Assessment of febrile seizures in children. Eur J Pediatr. 2007 Sep 2
- Walsh A, Edwards H, Fraser J. Over-the-counter medication use for childhood fever: A cross-sectional study of Australian parents. J Paediatr Child Health. 2007 Sep;43(9):601-6. Epub 2007 Jun 29
- To learn more, go to NSW Health Fact Sheet on Fever (PDF)
- If you are worried about your child's fever, call the Maternal and Child Health Line - 132 229 - this number is available 24 hours a day (Australia only)
