Fever: First aid
Fever is one of your body's reactions to infection. What's normal for you
may be a little higher or lower than the average temperature of 98.6 F (37
C). That's why it's hard to say just what a fever is. But a "significant" fever
is usually defined as an oral or ear temperature of 102 F (38.9 C) or a rectal
temperature of 103 F. (39.4 C) don’t treat fevers below 101 F (38.3 C) with
any medications unless advised to do so by your doctor. If you have a fever
of 101 F (38.3 C) or higher, your doctor may suggest taking over-the-counter
medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil,
Motrin, others). Adults may also use aspirin. But don't give aspirin to
children. It may trigger a rare, but potentially fatal, disorder known as
Reye's syndrome.
How to take a temperature
You can choose from several types of thermometers. Today most have
digital readouts. Some take the temperature quickly from the ear canal and
can be especially useful for young children and older adults. Other
thermometers can be used rectally, orally or under the arm. If you use a
digital thermometer, be sure to read the instructions, so you know what the
beeps mean and when to read the thermometer.
Self Care
Fevers are not a disease in itself; they are a sign of some other form of
infection/illness. Your body develops a fever to help fight off the infection.
It is difficult for viruses and bacteria to live in a hotter environment, so
fevers can actually help you get better. This is the reason it’s advised not to
treat fevers below 101 F (38.3 C) If your temperature does rise above 101 F
(38.3 C), take to oral medication (examples above) and increase your intake
of cool fluids. You may be sweaty, so you are losing body fluids faster than
you normally do. Plus, the cool liquid can help cool you down from the inside.
Cool compresses can also be helpful. To do this, get a bowl of lukewarm
(NOT cold) water and a cloth. Pass the cloth over you face, upper body and
arms. As the water evaporates from your skin, you will begin to cool off. If
you start to shiver, you can either make the water warmer, or stop and dry
off. It is usually a good idea to avoid having baths or showers when you have
a higher fever. When you come out of the shower or bath, the water is
evaporating off of a much larger area than when doing the cool compresses,
and you can get too cold too fast. Your body will try to counteract this by
getting even hotter. There are no proven facts that say you should not eat
when you have a fever. If you feel hungry, have something. If your appetite
seems a little off, make sure you still drink plenty of fluids to prevent
getting dehydrated. Typically, fevers will only last about 2-3 days. But the
illness or infection that has caused your fever should be evident within 24
hours of the onset of your fever. If you have a fever and no other
symptoms for longer than 24 hours, check in with a doctor. The illness or
infection that caused your fever will likely last a bit longer than the fever,
depending on what it is. Also, you should see your doctor if the fever is
higher than 104 F (40.0 C) and lasts longer than 3 days.
See a doctor immediately if any of the following signs accompany your
fever:
*Severe headache
*Severe swelling in your throat
*Unusual skin rash
*Unusual sensitivity to bright light
*Stiff neck (so that you are unable to touch your chin to your chest)
*Confusion
*Persistent vomiting
*Difficulty breathing or chest pain
*Abdominal pain or pain when urinating
*Any other unexplained symptoms
If you have any further questions, please see one of the nurses in the
health centre
This information package has been developed by the nurses at Sheridan College, Davis Campus, April,
2006