About Fevers

About Fevers

From the library of

Frank Barnhill M.D.

A fever is the body’s way of dealing with infection or inflammation. It doesn’t matter if the fever is being caused by a virus, bacteria, fungus or even a parasite. The human body still responds the same way, it attacks with a fever.

Here are a few quick facts about fevers:

you can call it a fever, if you use a thermometer and the reading is at least 100.4 degrees F. You can’t reliably detect a fever by touching the skin. Skin temperature may be very high, even when core body temperature is ok.
the least accurate thermometers are those applied to the skin.
the most accurate thermometer is the rectal type.
treating a viral infection with antibiotics may make a fever last longer and cause super infections not easily treated with common drugs. Fungal and parasitic infections require clear diagnosis and special drug therapy.

Treating a fever:

Do not immerse a person in ice without talking to your physician. Rapid lowering of body temperature can cause seizures and irregular heartbeats.
Sitting in a tepid (not hot-not cold to touch) water bath for thirty minutes can lower body temperature by 1 to 2 degrees.
allow a liquid such as water or rubbing alcohol to evaporate from exposed skin to lower a fever by a degree. Just don’t dry off after your tepid bath.
use of Tylenol, Motrin, or Advil should follow strict guidelines to avoid liver and kidney problems.
do not use aspirin to treat a fever associated with flu like symptoms. Aspirin can cause Reyes Syndrome in such cases, especially in children.

Dr. Frank

These health tips are offered for your common sense use and are not intended to take the place of a visit to your doctor. Your use of the materials implies your understanding that nothing herein contained represents individual medical advice.

drhuggiebear, drhuggiebear.com and contained materials are the copyrighted and/or registered properties of Frank Barnhill, M.D. and may not be reproduced for profit without the express written permission of the author. All materials may be photocopied in whole for educational use. For information please contact us at drfrank@drhuggiebear.com.