Signs and symptoms of fever
![Woman and baby with a fever](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_EG/pain-relief/Fever%20causes%201%20970x416.jpg?auto=format)
A fever is temporary as the body temperature rises due to an infection or any other secondary cause. It is a sign that something is going on within the body that needs to be looked into.1
Usually adults with a fever may feel uncomfortable and it is not much of a concern unless the temperature reaches 39.4°C or higher.1 For children, a temperature of more than 38°C is indicative of a fever.2
Symptoms of fever
Symptoms of fever in adults1,3
Symptoms of fever in adults include sweating, chills and shivering, headache, muscle aches, loss of appetite, irritability, dehydration and a sense of general weakness.
Other symptoms would depend on the cause of the fever. Some examples are:
Cause |
Symptoms |
Dysentery or gastroenteritis |
Vomiting Diarrhoea (with or without presence of blood) |
Upper respiratory tract infection |
Cough Runny nose Sore throat Sinus or nasal congestion |
Urinary tract infection |
Painful urination Back pain Increased frequency in urination |
Skin or soft tissue infection |
Focus of infection like a rash or abscess |
![An adult and child with fever](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_EG/pain-relief/Fever%20causes%202%20970x416.jpg?auto=format)
Recognising “red flag” symptoms1,4
Adults with fever must be referred to a doctor if there is accompanying:
severe headache |
unusual skin rash |
unusual sensitivity to bright light |
stiff neck or if there is pain when they bend the head forward |
mental confusion |
persistent vomiting |
difficulty in breathing or chest pain |
abdominal pain |
convulsions or seizures |
Children with fever must be referred if:
the colour of skin, lips or tongue turn blue |
does not respond to social signs, does not wake up if roused or, has a weak, high-pitched or continuous cry |
there is grunting or chest draws into the body |
the skin looks dry |
if the child is < 3 months with a fever of > 38°C, has a coloured rash, neck stiffness or seizures. |
Understanding fever
![Child with fever](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_EG/icons/GSK_GEP_medical_ed_icon_750x421.png?auto=format)
![Child with fever](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_EG/icons/fever_icon_750x421.png?auto=format)
![Medicines](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_EG/icons/products_gels_pills_orange_background-750x421.png?auto=format)
What can you recommend to your patients for fever?
Find out more about both non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments for fever in both adults and children.
Learn more
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![Panadol for children pack shot](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_EG/packshots/pain/Pandol-extra750-21-sh.jpg?auto=format)
Panadol Extra
Panadol Extra is recommended for use in analgesic relief of mild to moderate pain and symptoms of cold, influenza, sore throat, feverishness and feverish colds.6