FEVER

Fever occurs when body temperature rises above 37.5 º<C(measured in the armpit). When the body temperature rises above 41.5 ºC it is called hyperpyrexia which, if maintained, is a dangerous situation for patient survival.

It is important to take into account that anal temperature is 0.5 ºº C degrees higher than measured in the armpit, and that body temperature is not constant during the day, being lower in the morning and at its maximum in the late evening hours.

There are many causes which may produce fever (infectious diseases, brain infections, heat exposure, etc.), so that treatment is essential to lower the temperature. However, when the body temperature rises above 40 ºC it is necessary to quickly cool to bring the temperature below 38.5ºC: undress and rub with a sponge damped in lukewarm water (not alcohol) as it is the easiest method, placing ice bags or cold pads in the forehead, armpits and groins (refer to Chapter 2.7, ACCIDENTS DUE TO HEAT: HEAT STROKE). It is essential to provide adequate cold liquid intake (not alcohol), as well as lowering the environmental temperature using fans or air conditioning. If all this is not able to reduce the temperature to the suggested value, ask for MEDICAL ADVICE VIA RADIO .