Fever

Introduction
Fever is a raised body temperature of over 37 °C (98.4 °F).

Symptoms
If you have a fever your body temperature will be higher than normal and you will sweat. Fever is the body’s natural reaction when infections make us ill. It helps us to fight the infection.

Treatment: What you can do for yourself
Drink plenty of fluid.
If you have a fever you will lose a lot of fluid. Always replace lost fluid. Keep the room at a comfortable temperature. Open the windows and let some air in occasionally. Sponge your body with lukewarm water. This will make you feel more comfortable.

Contact your doctor if:

• Your fever comes back after a few days of feeling normal.
• Your fever does not go away within 3 days, and you do not know why you have the fever.
• You feel listless
• You have been to the tropics or a very hot country recently.

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