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- What is fever?
- Symptoms of fever
- Causes of fever
- Prevention of fever
- Risk factors for fever
- Complications of fever
- When to see a doctor about fever
- Diagnosis of fever
- Conventional treatment of fever
- Alternative/complementary treatment of fever
- Living with fever
- Caring for someone with fever
Fever is a raising of the body temperature, usually by the 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 or viruses by the millions and reduce or 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 the body temperature rises above this.
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Facts about fever
- Normal body temperature is about 37° C (or 98.6° F)
- Fever is a self defence mechanism controlled by the hypothalamus and initiating an immune system response
- 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
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2: symptoms >
Last reviewed: 8 September 2007 || Last updated: 17 February 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
