When we have a fever, our body temperature is above the normal range, which is from 36.5 to 37.5 degrees Celsius. Fever can accompany many types of illness, and depending on the cause, it can be an indication that something harmless or serious is going on. The most accurate way to measure fever is to use a thermometer, but if you don't have one at all, there are several ways to understand the symptoms of a fever to help if you need medical attention.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Checking Fever Symptoms
Step 1. Touch the forehead or neck of the person suspected of having a fever
The most common way to check for fever without using a thermometer is to touch/feel a person's forehead or neck to check if it feels hotter than usual.
- Use the back of your hand or your lips because the skin on your palms is not as sensitive as these areas.
- Do not check/feel the hands or feet to check for fever, because a person's body temperature may feel cold while in fact his body temperature is high.
- Always remember that this is the first step in knowing if something might be wrong, but it can't tell you accurately when someone has a dangerously high fever. Sometimes a person's skin may feel cold and moist when they have a high fever, on the other hand sometimes a person's skin may feel very hot even if they do not have a fever.
- Be sure to check the skin temperature of the person suspected of having a fever in a room that is neither too hot nor cold, then do not check the temperature immediately after the person has sweated from exertion.
Step 2. Check if the person's skin is “red” or red
Fever usually causes a person's cheeks and face to turn red. However, this may be more difficult to see in dark-skinned people.
Step 3. Check for lethargy
Fever is often accompanied by lethargy or severe fatigue, for example moving or speaking slowly or refusal to get out of bed.
Children who have a fever may complain of feeling weak or tired, refusing to go out and play or lose their appetite
Step 4. Ask them when they feel sick
Pain in the muscles and joints also often occurs at the same time when the fever comes.
Headaches are also commonly experienced by people who have a fever
Step 5. Check if the person is dehydrated
When a person has a fever, it is easy for him to lose body fluids. Ask if they feel very thirsty or if their mouth feels dry.
If the person's urine is bright yellow, this could be an indication that he or she is dehydrated and may have a fever
Step 6. Ask if they feel nauseous
Nausea is the main symptom of fever and other illnesses such as the flu. Pay attention if the person has nausea or vomiting, and can't take food.
Step 7. Notice if the person is shivering and sweating
The body temperature of a person with a fever (can) fluctuate, so he usually shivers and feels cold, even though other people in the same room feel normal.
The person may also feel alternate heat and cold as a result of the fever. As a result of your body temperature rising and falling, you usually shiver and feel very cold, even though other people around you feel normal
Step 8. Treat any febrile seizures lasting less than three minutes
A febrile seizure is a sudden shaking state that occurs either before or when a child has a high temperature. About 1 in 20 children under the age of 5 will have a febrile seizure at some point. Although it can be very confusing to you when your child has a febrile seizure, a febrile seizure does not cause permanent harm to your child. To treat febrile seizures:
- Place your child on his or her side in a free space or on an area on the floor.
- Do not try to hold your child during the seizure and do not try to put anything in your child's mouth during the seizure because they will not swallow their tongue.
- Accompany your child until 1-2 minutes after the seizure stops.
- Lay your child on his side in the recovery position while he recovers.
Part 2 of 3: Determining a Severe Fever
Step 1. Seek immediate medical attention if your child has a febrile seizure that lasts longer than three minutes
This can be a sign of a more serious condition. Call 119 for an ambulance and accompany your child, keeping him on his side in the recovery position. You should also seek medical attention immediately if a febrile seizure is followed by:
- Gag
- Stiff neck
- Breathing problems
- Excessive sleepiness
Step 2. Call the doctor if your child is under 2 years old and the symptoms last for more than a day
Give your child plenty of fluids and encourage him to rest.
Step 3. Get medical help if the person with fever has severe abdominal pain, chest pain, difficulty swallowing and stiff neck
All of these conditions can be symptoms of meningitis, a highly contagious and life-threatening disease.
Step 4. Call the doctor if the person with the fever is restless, dizzy, or has hallucinations
All of these conditions can be a sign of a viral or bacterial infection such as hypothermia.
Step 5. Get medical attention if there is blood in their stool, urine or mucus
This condition is also a sign of a more dangerous infection.
Step 6. Seek medical attention if the immune system of a person with fever is weakened by another disease such as cancer or AIDS
A fever can be a sign that their immune system is under attack or that they are experiencing complications or other conditions.
Step 7. Talk to your doctor about other serious conditions that can cause fever
Fever is caused by many different diseases. Ask your doctor if a fever that occurs may be an indication of the following illnesses:
- Virus
- Bacterial infection
- Fatigue from heat or sunburn
- Arthritis
- Malignant tumor
- Antibiotics and certain high blood pressure medications
- Immunizations such as diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus (DPT) vaccines
Part 3 of 3: Dealing with Fever at Home
Step 1. Treat fever at home if the fever is mild and you are over 18 years old
Fever is your body's way of treating or recovering, most fevers go away on their own after a few days.
- Fever can be treated with proper treatment.
- Drink plenty of fluids and rest. Taking medication is not so important, but it can increase your level of calm. Use over-the-counter fever-reducing medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
- Call your doctor if your symptoms last more than 3 days and/or your symptoms are severe.
Step 2. Treat fever with rest and fluids if your child has no severe symptoms
Do not give aspirin to children and adolescents because it can trigger a condition called Reye's syndrome.
- Likewise, if your child's temperature is below 38.9 degrees Celsius, they are likely to be treated at home.
- See a doctor if the fever persists for more than 3 days and/or symptoms are more severe.
Tips
- It is important to note that the most accurate way to check for fever at home is to use a thermometer. The best places to check the temperature are in the rectum and under the tongue, or by using an ear thermometer. The temperature in the armpit is less accurate.
- If children under 3 months have a fever over 37.8 degrees Celsius, see a doctor.
