Fever
Patient education
- Fever is a sign, not a diagnosis
- Look at the whole person
- Malaria exposure needs prompt testing
What it is
A raised body temperature. It is a sign, not an illness - the question is always what is causing it, and in this setting malaria has to be ruled out first.
When to seek urgent care
The fever is in a baby under three months; there is a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade when pressed, confusion, drowsiness or a fit; breathing is fast or difficult; there is no urine; or the fever has lasted more than three days.
How it shows
Feeling hot, shivering, aching, tired. What matters is what comes with it: a cough, pain passing urine, a rash, diarrhoea, or a stiff neck each point somewhere different.
What to do
Get a malaria test. Drink fluids and rest. A simple painkiller brings the temperature down and makes the person more comfortable, but it does not treat the cause.
Do not take antibiotics for a fever that has not been diagnosed. Most fevers are not bacterial, and taking them anyway makes the next real infection harder to treat.
What a temperature can tell you
A temperature of 38°C or above is usually called a fever. Feeling hot or shivery can still matter if a reading is lower. Use a digital thermometer according to its instructions and record the time, reading and any medicine taken.
Fever can occur with many infections and other illnesses. Its height alone cannot identify malaria, typhoid or a bacterial infection. Tell the clinician about cough, urinary symptoms, diarrhoea, travel, mosquito exposure and sick contacts.
What to do while arranging care
Rest and drink regularly. Watch for reduced urine, increasing weakness or difficulty staying awake. Ask a pharmacist about suitable fever relief; avoid combining products that contain the same ingredient.
In a malaria-risk area, a new fever warrants prompt testing. Get assessed sooner in pregnancy, with a weakened immune system or if already seriously ill. Do not rely on antibiotics or antimalarials left over from another illness. If symptoms persist or worsen despite an initial assessment, return. This article is for adults; young babies need a lower threshold for urgent assessment.
Sources
- High temperature in adults · Public sector health information · OGL v3.0
- Malaria · Public sector health information · OGL v3.0
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.