Without the White Coat
Fever: Always consult your doctor
Has your temperature ever risen to 100 F (38 C) and lasted for 48 hours? Has it ever risen to 104 F (40 C)? Be alarmed and consult your family doctor.
Fever is a symptom of infection or an inflammation. If coupled with cough, difficulty in breathing, phlegm that is brownish, you may have a chest infection like pneumonia.
The color of the phlegm will be indicative of some pulmonary anomalies. Watch out for the sound emitted by the patient during breathing.
When fever is accompanied by a headache, aching limbs, runny nose and a sore throat, one may have a viral infection like the flu.
When the fever is accompanied by a severe headache especially when you bend your head forward, nausea and vomiting, feeling of drowsiness or confusion, you may have inflammation in the brain areas like meningitis.
Fever that is accompanied by a sore throat may be caused by pharyngitis, strep throat or tonsillitis.
When fever presents with pain at the small or side of the back, abnormally frequent urination, pain in passing urine, and pink or a cloudy urine, you may have an acute infection of the kidney or bladder. These symptoms may also be caused by cystitis, glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis.
Fever in children that is usually caused by infections either etiology can be traced back to a virus or bacteria. A child can become feverish when he or she is overheated. A rise in temperature causes the child's forehead to feel hot, increased sweating and a general feeling of being sick.
The normal temperature may vary from 97 to 99 F (36 to 37.5 C). Minor fluctuations within this range are no cause for concern if your child seems well. If your baby's temperature rises above 102 F (39 C), you should call your doctor. Remember that high temperature can lead to seizures in some babies.
During the rainy season, having a fever can be alarming because of the specter of dengue.
A fever that is brought about by the bite of a mosquito should alarm everyone.
Fever should be observed and closely monitored.
It is always nice to have your doctor's phone number so you could get advice anytime.
Your physician will always ascertain the cause of your fever and can take initial steps in managing it. He or she will further do some diagnostic tests to ascertain the cause of the fever. Taking antibiotics or giving it should and will always be the responsibility of your doctor. You should not self-medicate because this might aggravate the situation. But in most cases, the dosages that this patients took usually fall under the required dosage of the drug.
It is always nice to have a physician that is on call. But do not abuse such right because your doctor needs to make a living to support his or her family.