Home: Fever

Fever: First Aid

Fever is defined as the temperature of the body that is higher than the normal body temperature (37ºC or 98.6ºF).

The fever is not an illness, but it is a symptom suggesting body’s response to the infection. It indicates an abnormal process has taken place in the body, most probably the invasion of the micro organisms.

Fever is also referred to as pyrexia.

Fever may most commonly caused by the bacterial or viral infection or a result of the food allergy or allergy to some medications or over exposure to the heat.

Low fever: 99.8 ºF to 100.8ºF
Mild fever: 101 ºF to 102 ºF
Moderate fever: 102 ºF to 103 ºF
High fever: 104 ºF and above

The person or the child with fever may present with the following clinical signs and symptoms:-

Hot flushed face
Sweating
Body ache and head ache
Nausea vomiting
Lack of interest in eating
Dry and hot skin
Decreased urine output
Constipation or diarrhoea

The high fever may be sometimes or usually accompanied by the convulsions and state of the delirium.

First aid tips for the treatment of the fever:

First step is to assess the temperature of the person using a thermometer.
Take off the excessive or warm clothing of the person.
Loosen the tight or restrictive clothing.
Allow for good air and ventilation.
Provide a tepid sponge bath to the person (tepid means the tap water that is neither too warm nor too cold).
Give plenty of the clear fluids to replenish the fluids lost as a result of the heat evaporation.
Ensure complete bed rest.
Apply cold compresses on the forehead if advised by the physician.
Administer the anti- pyretic over the counter medications such as the acetaminophen or paracetamol. Avoid giving the aspirin drug to the adult or a child.
Avoid covering the person with the blankets or warm linen.

Consult the doctor if the above measures fail to reduce the temperature to the normal and if the fever is accompanied by:

Headache that is severe
Skin rashes
Convulsions
Neck stiffness
Pain while bending the neck
Mental confusion
Persistent sore throat and vomiting
Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing
Persistent vomiting
Burning or painful micturition

Disclaimer
This site provides you with the general guidelines and information regarding the first aid measures for the various conditions or health related problems. It is not a substitute for the medical advice or the formal first aid training. It will not be responsible or liable in case one tries to make diagnosis based on the provided information. You always need to consult the doctor and emergency department in case of all the serious emergencies rather than just relying upon the supposed guidelines.