How to Recognizing Fever Symptoms
Recognizing the symptoms of a fever is quite simple once you know what you are looking for in the sufferer. A fever that runs too high for too long may damage organs, including the brain; therefore it is vital that fever symptoms are recognized and the feverish person gets treatment as soon as possible. The following article will enable you to recognize the symptoms of a fever and make the sufferer feel better.
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Things You'll Need
- Thermometer
- Cool washcloth
- Drinking water
- Pain and fever reducing pills (children's or adult medicine)
Instructions
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The first thing you may notice about a person suffering with a fever is that they may feel sluggish and tired when they would normally be active and energetic. You will notice that they have a flushed appearance and are sweating. They may complain of being cold and are observed shivering. A cool washcloth may be applied to the forehead to comfort the sufferer and begin to bring the fever down.
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The sufferer will have a rapid heartbeat and may have shallow breathing. Skin may be clammy to the touch and their disposition may be irritable or exhausted. Dehydration is a very real problem when suffering from a fever; therefore push fluids: clear sweet tea, water, apple juice, pedialyte or flat soda are excellent choices. Rehydrating the body will help to bring the fever down.
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A fever is the body's way of killing bacterial infections and viruses in the blood, in order to do this the body reaches a high temperature to literally burn the bugs up. Sometimes this works; other times it's not effective. In any case, a fever should not be allowed to run too high for too long as this may cause organ damage, including the brain. Take the temperature of the sufferer and if the fever is above 100.4 degrees F, give fever reducer according to package directions for age of patient. Keep pushing clear fluids and apply cool washcloths. If fever persists after 3 days, see a physician or go to the emergency room.
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Tips & Warnings
Drink plenty of fluids.
Take fever reducer according to package directions.
If fever is present with hallucinations--go to emergency room immediately.
