74
FAMILY ILLNESS
Fever( adults)
For children under 12, see p. 76 Normal temperature varies from one person to another, but if your temperature is 100.4 ° F( 38 ° C) or above, you have a fever. Most fevers are due to infection, but heat exposure or certain drugs can also raise body temperature. In all cases, follow the advice for bringing down a fever( p. 164).
START
Do you have a rash?
Rash
No rash
ACTION
GO TO ANOTHER CHART Rash with fever, p. 96
Do you have a headache?
! High temperature
If you are not feeling well, you should take your temperature every 4 hours.
• Call your doctor immediately if your temperature rises to
102 ° F( 39 ° C) or above.
• Take steps to lower the fever without delay( see Bringing
down a fever, p. 164).
Are you having problems breathing?
You are short of breath
Do you have any of the following?
Drowsiness or confusion
Dislike of bright light
Neck pain on bending the head forwards
None of the above
Severe headache
Mild headache
No headache
Do you have a cough?
Cough
Breathing is painful
Breathing is normal
ACTION
CALL YOUR DOCTOR NOW You may have a chest infection, such as pneumonia.
• Follow the advice for bringing down a fever( p. 164).
ACTION
DIAL 911 OR CALL EMS
! You may have meningitis( infection inflaming membranes around the brain).
No cough
ACTION
GO TO ANOTHER CHART Sore throat, p. 103