Fever In Adults

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Fever is a rise in body temperature higher than the normal. A body temperature of more than 38.3 degrees Celsius (101 degrees Fahrenheit) may be considered as having a fever. A normal body temperature may be affected by different things, such as time of day or weather. A women's body temperatures may also be affected by her monthly period. The normal oral (mouth) temperature for an adult is 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Fever is usually caused by an infection due to germs, such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi. It may also be a result of an allergy, heat exposure, cancer or other diseases, or occur after using certain medicines. The cause of a fever may also be unknown, and may be called fever of unknown origin.
  
  
• You may have red, warm, sweaty skin and you may feel hot when you have fever. At some point, you may feel cold and have chills. You may have nausea (upset stomach), vomiting (throwing up), or a headache. Other signs and symptoms may also be present pointing to the illness or condition causing the fever. Diagnosing the cause of fever will need a complete health history and physical exam, and blood and urine tests. Other tests may be done related to a disease or condition that may be causing your symptoms. Treatment will depend on the condition causing the fever. Treatment may include medicines and other measures to decrease your body temperature. With early diagnosis, treatment, and care, your fever may resolve without leading to further problems.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Medicines for fever may cause unpleasant effects. Some may cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. Medicines may not work, or may even be life-threatening. Having a fever for some time and not seeking treatment may prevent your caregiver from knowing its cause. This may be serious and you may become more sick if you are not treated. Call your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your condition, medicine, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent: You have the right to understand your health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your condition. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.

Cooling blanket: This special blanket may be placed on your bed under the sheets. It may be used in addition to medicine to help decrease a high fever.

IV: An IV is a tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. This tube is capped or connected to tubing and liquid.

Medicines: Your caregiver may give you the following kinds of medicines:

• Fever medicine: This type of medicine is given to help lower your body temperature. Common medicines used to lower temperature include acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Lowering your body temperature may help you feel better.
  
  
• Antibiotics: Antibiotics may be given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by germs called bacteria.
  
  
• Antifungal medicine: This medicine helps kill fungus that can cause illness.

Tests: You may have any of the following:

• Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. The blood can be taken from a blood vessel in your hand, arm, or the bend in your elbow. It is tested to see how your body is doing. It can give your caregivers more information about your health condition. You may need to have blood drawn more than once.
  
  
• Urine sample: A sample of your urine is collected and sent to a lab for tests. Your caregiver may give you a special wipe and clean cup. Use the wipe to clean the skin around the opening where you pass urine. Urinate into the clean cup. Put the lid on the cup. Do not touch the inside of the cup or the lid. Give the urine sample to your caregiver.
  
  
• Culture: This is a test to grow and identify the germ that is causing your fever. Samples may be taken from your nose, throat, urine, or stool (bowel movement). A culture may also be done using blood, sputum (phlegm), or swabs from a wound. It helps caregivers learn what kind of infection you have, and what medicine is best to treat it.
  
  
• Other tests: Other tests may be done related to a disease or condition for which fever is a symptom. This may be based on your health history, the pattern of your fever, and signs and symptoms that go with it. It may also be based on the findings your caregiver got from your physical exam. You may have any of the following:
  
  
  • Computerized tomography scan: This test is also called a CT scan. A special x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of your body. It may be used to look at bones, muscles, brain tissue, and blood vessels. You may be given dye by mouth or in an IV before the pictures are taken. The dye may help your caregiver see the pictures better. People who are allergic to iodine or shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to some dyes. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to shellfish, or have other allergies or medical conditions.
    
    
  • Echocardiogram:
    
    
    • This test is also called an echo. It is a type of ultrasound, using sound waves to show pictures of the size and shape of your heart. An echo also looks at how your heart moves when it is beating. These pictures are seen on a TV-like screen.
      
      
    • This test is done while lying down on your back. Clear jelly will be squirted on your chest to help the ultrasound sensor slide easily. The sensor will be rubbed across your chest to see your heart from different angles. You may hear a whooshing noise, which is the sound of your blood flow. Caregivers may ask you to pedal a bike during the test (exercise echo) or you may get medicine before the test to increase blood flow to your heart muscle (stress echo). This test can tell how well your heart is pumping. An echo can also find problems, such as fluid around the heart or problems with your heart valves.
    
    
  • Lumbar puncture: This procedure may also be called a spinal tap. During a lumbar puncture, you will need to lie very still. Caregivers may give you medicine to make you lose feeling in a small area of your back. Caregivers will clean this area of your back. A needle will be put in, and fluid removed from around your spinal cord. The fluid will be sent to a lab for tests. The tests check for infection, bleeding around your brain and spinal cord, or other problems. Sometimes medicine may be put into your back to treat your illness.
    
    
  • Magnetic resonance imaging: This test is also called MRI. During the MRI, pictures are taken of your body. An MRI may be used to look at the brain, muscles, joints, bones, or blood vessels. You will need to lie still during a MRI. Never enter the MRI room with an oxygen tank, watch, or any other metal objects. This can cause serious injury.
    
    
  • Ultrasound: An ultrasound is a simple test that looks inside of your body. Sound waves are used to show pictures of your organs and tissues on a TV-like screen.
    
    
  • X-rays: X-rays of different parts of your body may be taken. These may include the chest (lungs and heart) or abdomen. X-rays may help caregivers look for infections or signs of other problems. You may need to have more than one x-ray done.

Vital signs: This includes taking your temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeat), and respirations (counting your breaths). To take your blood pressure, a cuff is put on your arm and tightened. The cuff is attached to a machine which gives your blood pressure reading. Caregivers may listen to your heart and lungs by using a stethoscope. Your vital signs are taken so caregivers can see how you are doing.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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