Fever

By Tim Taylor

Starve or feed?

Taking temperature

Download this episodeUsing a thermometer to check your temperature can help you manage an illness. When using any kind of thermometer, make sure you read and follow the instructions that come with the thermometer. Digital thermometers provide fast, accurate readings and are available in many shapes and sizes. When taking your temperature with a digital thermometer, first wash your hands with soap and warm water. Be sure to use a clean thermometer, one that has been washed in cold water, cleaned with rubbing alcohol, and then rinsed to remove the alcohol. Do not eat or drink anything for at least five minutes before you take your temperature. You should keep your mouth closed during this time. Place the thermometer tip under the tongue and hold the thermometer in the same spot for about 40 seconds. Usually, the thermometer will make a beeping noise when the final reading is done. If you are keeping track, record the temperature and the time.

Body temperature

Download this episodeFever occurs when an area in your brain called the hypothalamus shifts the set point of your normal body temperature upward. When this happens, you may feel chilled and add layers of clothing or wrap up in a blanket, or you may shiver to generate more body heat, eventually resulting in an elevated body temperature. You should consult with a physician if your body temperature reaches 103 degrees Fahrenheit or you’ve had a fever for more than three days. Be sure to seek medical attention if you have a fever along with a severe headache, skin rash or unusual sensitivity to bright light. Your body’s normal temperature varies throughout the day, it’s lower in the morning and higher in the late afternoon and evening. Although most people consider 98.6 Fahrenheit normal, your body temperature can vary by a degree or more, from about 97 to 99, and still be considered normal. Factors such as your menstrual cycle or heavy exercise can affect your temperature.

Treating a child

Download this episodeNot all fevers need to be treated. When it comes to children, a fever should only be treated if it is causing the child discomfort. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen will help a fussy or uncomfortable child but always give them the dose recommended for their age and weight. Unless instructed by a doctor, never give a child aspirin for fever because of the risk for Reye’s syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal disease. Infants younger than 2 months old should not be given any medicine for fever without being checked by a doctor. If your child has any medical problems, check with the doctor to see which medicine is best to use. Offer plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration since fevers cause kids to lose fluids more rapidly than usual. Water, soup, ice pops, and flavored gelatin are all good choices. Avoid drinks with caffeine because they can make dehydration worse by increasing urination. Staying in bed all day isn’t necessary, but a sick child should take it easy.

Reduce exposure

Download this episodeThe best way to avoid a fever is to reduce your exposure to infectious diseases. First and foremost, wash your hands often and teach your children to do the same, especially before eating, after using the toilet, after spending time in a crowd or around someone who’s sick, after petting animals and during travel on public transportation. Show your children how to wash their hands thoroughly, covering both the front and back of each hand with soap and rinsing completely under running water. Carry moist towelettes or hand sanitizer with you for times when you don’t have access to soap and water. Try to avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes, as these are the main ways that viruses and bacteria can enter your body and cause infection. Cover your mouth when you cough and your nose when you sneeze, and teach your children to do likewise. Whenever possible, turn away from others when coughing or sneezing to avoid passing germs along to them.Trusted by thousands of listeners every week, T. Glenn Pait, M.D., began offering expert advice as the host of UAMS’ “Here’s to Your Health” program in 1996. Dr. Pait began working at UAMS in 1994 and has been practicing medicine for over 20 years.