Fever is one of the commonest reasons people visit a family doctor. It frightens us, but fever itself is not a disease. It is a sign that the body is fighting something. The question is what, and how serious.
What counts as fever?
A temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or above. Check with a thermometer rather than touch.
Home care
- Rest and drink plenty of fluids: water, ORS, soups, buttermilk, coconut water.
- Eat light, easily digested food.
- Paracetamol as per the label for discomfort. Avoid giving aspirin to children and teenagers.
- Wear light clothes. A lukewarm sponge can help.
- Avoid antibiotics unless a doctor advises. Most fevers are viral and do not need them.
See a doctor the same day if
- Fever lasts more than 2 to 3 days.
- Temperature goes above 103 F (39.4 C).
- Severe headache, stiff neck, rash, or sensitivity to light.
- Breathing difficulty or chest pain.
- Persistent vomiting, severe stomach pain, or no urine for 8 hours.
- Bleeding from gums, black stools or blood in vomit.
- Confusion, drowsiness or fits.
- You are pregnant, elderly, or have diabetes, heart, kidney or liver disease or low immunity.
Tests your doctor may suggest
Blood counts, malaria and dengue tests, typhoid, urine tests, chest X-ray, depending on your symptoms and how many days of fever you have had.
Diabetes and fever
Fever can raise sugar levels and increase dehydration. Read our sick-day rules for diabetes and check your sugar more often.
Prevent it
Wash hands often, avoid sharing utensils, keep water containers covered, use mosquito protection and stay up to date with vaccines.
If you live in Gopanpally, Gowlidoddi, Nallagandla or Tellapur, or work in the Financial District or Nanakramguda, you can see a doctor at our clinic in Gachibowli, open daily from 6 AM to 9 PM, with diagnostics from 6 AM to 11 PM. See our general physician services or contact us.
Keep reading
Your family doctor,
Akhila Reddy
MBBS, DNB (Family Medicine) | TSMC Reg. No. APMC/FMR/74261
AMC Hospital, Gopanpally, Gachibowli, Hyderabad
This article is for general health education and does not replace a check-up. Every person is different, so please speak to your doctor before changing any medicine. In an emergency, call 108 or go to the nearest hospital.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fever: when to seek care. https://www.cdc.gov
- National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control, Government of India. Dengue and malaria. https://nvbdcp.gov.in
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Fever in under 5s and feverish illness: clinical guidance. https://www.nice.org.uk
Looking for a clear checklist of when to call the doctor, which warning signs mean an emergency, and how to reach us in Gachibowli? Read Fever in Adults: When to See a Doctor in Gachibowli.