Fever is defined as a body temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius. This is a common sign of many illnesses, and it is crucial to recognize it promptly for timely treatment.
Fever from Cold and Flu
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It is advisable to take your temperature whenever experiencing fever symptoms |
Cold and flu are two distinct illnesses, but they share many common symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, body aches, and fatigue. Among these, cough and runny nose are essential symptoms; if they are absent, it is neither a cold nor the flu.
Many people who feel tired or dizzy mistakenly assume they have a cold or flu and self-medicate, which often exacerbates their condition. Cold and flu medications primarily relieve uncomfortable symptoms like fever, cough, and runny nose, but they do not eliminate the virus causing the illness, which typically resolves on its own within 3 to 7 days. Antibiotics are only necessary if there is a bacterial superinfection.
Colds often occur when the body is exposed to cold, sudden rain, or abrupt temperature changes and are not contagious. In contrast, the flu spreads easily and can cause outbreaks.
Fever from Typhoid
The hallmark symptom of this illness is fever without cough or runny nose. Fever in typhoid has a unique pattern: it is cooler in the morning and hotter in the afternoon, gradually increasing each day. After a week, the fever can reach 40 degrees Celsius, but the pulse is notably slow. Generally, in infections, a fever of 40 degrees Celsius corresponds to a pulse rate of 120 beats per minute, but in typhoid, the pulse rate is around 80-90 beats per minute. Patients often experience headaches, nausea, diarrhea, and when pressing the right lower abdomen, a distinctive gurgling sound can be heard.
The most dangerous complication of this illness is intestinal perforation. Therefore, if typhoid fever is suspected, hospitalization for diagnostic tests and specific medication is necessary.
Dengue Fever
This illness is easily recognized by the following three symptoms: high fever, abdominal pain, and enlarged, tender liver. Patients often experience a sudden high fever of 39-40 degrees Celsius, bleeding under the skin (petechiae) or gastrointestinal bleeding, and bleeding gums. The liver is enlarged and painful (when palpated under the right rib cage, a mass can be felt, and pressing it causes pain).
Dengue fever should be suspected when a child suddenly has a high fever that persists, responds to antipyretics temporarily, then spikes again, without cough or runny nose, especially if accompanied by abdominal pain. However, if the child has abdominal pain without fever, it is not dengue fever and may indicate a different issue such as intestinal worms.
Fever from Throat Inflammation
Any child with a high fever should have their throat examined, especially if the fever spikes suddenly. Upon examination, the tonsils may appear swollen, red, and speckled with white. If there is a thick white membrane adhering to them, diphtheria should be suspected, and the child should be taken to the hospital immediately. If there is a runny nose accompanying the fever, it indicates viral throat inflammation; in such cases, antibiotics are not necessary, and only antipyretics and mouth rinses with disinfectant are recommended. However, bacterial superinfection should be monitored, and antibiotics should be used if present.
Fever from Measles
Unlike dengue fever, a child with measles will have a persistent high fever accompanied by cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. If there are small white spots inside the cheeks resembling grains of rice (Koplik’s spots), it is almost certain that the child will develop a measles rash. This illness is caused by a virus, is highly contagious, and typically resolves on its own after a week.
Antibiotics do not kill viruses but can prevent dangerous complications of measles such as otitis media, bronchitis, and pneumonia. A child will only stop having a fever once the rash appears all over their body. If a rash appears but the fever persists, it indicates a complication.
If it is indeed measles, the rash will appear within 4 days, regardless of whether antipyretics are taken. If there is no rash, the child likely has another illness and not measles.
Fever from Meningitis
This condition should be considered immediately when a child has a fever, headache, and vomiting. If you try to bend the child’s neck toward their chest and they cannot do so or show signs of pain (a sign of stiff neck), meningitis is a strong possibility. For children under 2 years old, bulging of the anterior fontanelle is also a significant sign to recognize meningitis. The child must be taken to the hospital immediately for a lumbar puncture to test for the cause and determine the appropriate treatment.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Ha
