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Fever. or High Body Temperature (over 37 °C). What is fever?. Fever is present when the temperature of the body (measured inside the mouth) rises above 37°C (98.6°F). What are the symptoms?. Chills But you may also have: Headaches Muscle aches Loss of appetite Dehydration
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Fever or High Body Temperature (over 37°C) (c) M V
What is fever? Fever is present when the temperature of the body (measured inside the mouth) rises above 37°C (98.6°F) (c) M V
What are the symptoms? • Chills • But you may also have: • Headaches • Muscle aches • Loss of appetite • Dehydration • General weakness (c) M V
Very High Temperature Can also cause : • Hallucinations (a ‘mental trick’ were you perceive things that are not there). • Confusion. • Irritability. • Convulsions (seizures). (c) M V
What Causes Fever? • Most fevers are due to an infection. • Uncommonly due to heat exhaustion or extreme sunburn. Fever is important for the body's defense against infection. (c) M V
How do I control fever in an adult? • Do not overheat with too many clothes or blankets. • Drink a lot of light fluids, especially water. • Take paracetamol tablets or the equivalent. • Fan or sponge the person if the fever is severe. (c) M V
How do I control fever in a child? • Dress the child in light clothing. • Do not overheat with too many clothes, rugs or blankets. • Keep the child cool, but avoid draughts. • Give the child small drinks of light fluids especially water, often. Do not worry if the child will not eat. • Give paracetamol syrup or insert suppositories every 4 hours until the temperature settles. (c) M V
When should I seek immediate medical advice? Severe headache or neck stiffness. • Development of a rash. • Repeated vomiting • Twitching, shaking or convulsions. • Excessive drowsiness or difficulty waking up. • Symptoms that worry you. • Light hurting the eyes. (c) M V
When should I seek immediate medical advice? • If there is earache or other pain. • If the child starts acting 'odd‘. • For refusal to drink. • If the child is looking sick. • If child is younger than 3 months. • If there is no improvement in 48 hours. • If a newborn and has a lower than normal temperature — less than 36.1°C (97°F). (c) M V
Remember : • Fevers are usually no cause for alarm. • Fevers are common in children. • Give the child plenty of tender loving care, with reassurance that they will soon feel well. • Give paracetamol mixture, suppositories or paracetamol tablets every 4 hours. • Keep them cool and give plenty of fluids. (c) M V
Remember : • See a doctor if symptoms are severe or do not improve after one day in child less than 2 years and 3 days for ages 2 and older. • See a doctor immediately if child is younger than 3 months. • It is normal for children, especially infants and toddlers, to have at least 5 or 6 episodes of fever a year. (c) M V