Management of fever
Fevers are usually treated when a person is in discomfort.
This applies to both children and adults. It’s also important to remember that fever is a sign that something else is going on in the body and that treating it does not treat the underlying cause of the fever.1,2
Managing fever in adults
Assessment of fever in adults 2,3,4
To determine if a patient has fever, the most common route of taking a temperature in adults is a thermometer placed under the tongue (oral route).
If the temperature is > 38°C, consider that the patient is febrile.
Don’t forget to ask the patient for other symptoms to determine cause of the fever, “red flag” symptoms and if they require any other treatment recommendations other than medicines for fever.
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Non-pharmacological management of fever4
Adult patients may be recommended to do the following to help reduce feeling uncomfortable during a fever:
Keeping hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids
Water and juices will help recover the fluid loss and combat dehydration usually accompanying a fever
Taking rest will help the body recover while heavy or strenuous activity would increase the body temperature further Dressing in light clothing and keeping the room temperature cool may also help -
Pharmacological management of fever4-10
Understanding fever
How do they present?
Refresh your knowledge on the signs and symptoms of fever and learn about “red flag” symptoms that indicate a referral to the doctor.
Learn more
The science of paracetamol
Learn more about paracetamol – the basics, its mechanism of action and more.
