Fever is an increase in body temperature due to an immune response of the body. The immune response is a healthy response to an unhealthy situation in the body, such as viruses, bacteria, or an infection.
The body can better defend itself against viruses and bacteria when the body temperature is high, which is why fever develops. Medications that are often used for fever include paracetamol, paracetamol with caffeine, and sometimes also in combination with propyphenazone.
When Do We Speak Of A Fever?
The body temperature in a human normally fluctuates between 36.1 and 37.8 degrees. If a fever occurs, the temperature rises to 38 degrees or higher. The body temperature of a person is usually somewhat lower in the morning than in the afternoon and/or evening.
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At a temperature of 37.9 there is an ‘elevation’, from 38 degrees (and higher) there is a fever. If you have a fever, this is usually accompanied by fairly clear symptoms. You often feel shivering and warm at the same time, or you are just cold. With a rising fever, the symptoms are usually different from those with a falling fever.
Rising Fever May Include:
- Shivering, shivering, chattering teeth.
- Increased heart rate.
- Drowsiness, drowsiness.
- No appetite for food.
- Pain in joints and/or muscle pain.
- General malaise.
With A Falling Fever, There May Be:
- To sweat
Important in fever
Fever is in many cases not a serious situation, but especially with small children, the weak, and the elderly, extra attention is required. The fever should be measured regularly. Please note the following:
- It is important to drink enough.
- Pay attention to whether the patient is approachable and lively.
- Any pain complaints.
- The height of the temperature.
Tips For Dealing With A Fever.
- Do not cover the patient (too) warmly, unless he/she is very cold. Extra blankets are not (per se) necessary if you have a fever.
- Covering up extra heavily and then letting it sweat out is not good.
- Someone with a fever should drink enough to prevent dehydration.
- If the patient feels fit enough for it, he/she is allowed to go outside in most cases.
- Avoid drafts.
- Cold baths or cold showers are not a good idea. A lukewarm shower is better.
If there is a fever where the feverish drinks well and has no other noticeable complaints, paracetamol can be recommended. Paracetamol ensures that fever drops, and it is also an analgesic.
Fever is often accompanied by pain complaints such as a sore throat or headache, for example with a cold, respiratory infection, or flu-like complaints. Paracetamol for babies and toddlers is (usually) dosed lower than for older children. Consult a doctor for the correct dosage.
Risky Signs Of Fever
In any case, consult a doctor if:
- The patient is difficult or impossible to wake up.
- If the patient complains of severe pain.
- Gives the impression of being seriously ill.
- stuffy.
- Have a stiff neck.
- Confused.
- Seeing or hearing things that are not there.
- Has purple-red spots on the skin.
- Febrile seizure(s).
- Have pain when urinating.
- Not drinking or drinking little.
- Is angry or irritated more quickly than usual.
- Vomits heavily or has severe diarrhea.
- If you have the feeling that something is not right.
- If there is a fever without a cause being found.
Tender Or Lethargic?
If someone with a fever appears lively and cheerful, this is a favorable sign. If someone with a fever is drowsy and lethargic, this can be caused by a (high) fever, but it is important to keep an eye on how the fever and illness develop further. If in doubt, always consult a doctor.
With a fever, it is (namely) not always easy to determine what is wrong with a patient (not even for a doctor), since there can be many reasons for a fever. In the majority of cases, fever is the result of a normal infection with a virus or bacteria. In some cases, however, there is a more serious situation. 
When in doubt, a doctor will want to keep in touch to see if the patient is recovering or deteriorating. If necessary, a doctor will decide to admit a patient with a fever,
How Should You Measure Fever?
Even with a simple cold, the fever can be high. At a temperature above 40 degrees, it is in any case advisable to consult a doctor and ask for advice. Consultation with a doctor is advisable in any case for infants, toddlers, the weak, the sick, and the elderly. The best and most reliable way to measure the fever is with a thermometer in the anus.
Fever With No Apparent Cause
It can happen that a patient has a fever while no clear cause can be found. The patient feels otherwise normal but still has a fever. It is also important to consult a doctor.
Febrile Convulsions
Sometimes children get febrile convulsions. A febrile convulsion is basically an epileptic seizure caused by a fever. A febrile convulsion can last for a short time, but sometimes longer than a few minutes. It looks frightening but it is often a response to a rapid increase in fever. However, a febrile convulsion is a reason to see a doctor because only a doctor can determine whether more examination and observation are needed.
