If a fever lasts more than three to five days even after taking paracetamol, various diseases or infections may be behind it. For example:
- Dengue: high fever, body aches and headache are among its main symptoms. With dengue the fever often does not come fully under control even with paracetamol.
- Viral infections: severe viral infections such as influenza can cause fever for several days, along with symptoms such as cough, sore throat, headache, runny nose or blocked nose.
- Typhoid and malaria: bacterial typhoid and malaria, caused by a parasite, can bring a high fever for a long time.
- Urinary tract infection (UTI): an infection of the urinary tract often brings repeated bouts of fever with shivering.
- Misuse of antibiotics: taking antibiotics without a doctor’s advice can get in the way of proper treatment of an infection and raises the risk of antibiotic-resistant germs, so the infection may not come under control easily.
What to do at home first
It is important to look after a patient properly during a fever. But rather than carrying on with home care alone until the fever is gone, see a doctor when needed.
- Rest: keep the patient well rested to give the body a chance to fight the infection.
- Sponging: soak a soft cotton cloth in lukewarm water and sponge the body; put a damp cloth on the forehead if needed. Do not use ice water or very cold water.
- Plenty of fluids: sweating and loss of water during a fever can lead to dehydration, so give the patient water, coconut water, soup and other suitable fluids regularly. Oral rehydration saline can also be given if needed.
- Light clothing: do not cover the patient with a heavy blanket or thick clothes, which can add to the discomfort. Dress them in comfortable, light cotton clothes instead.
- Easily digested food: give rice porridge, soft rice, soup and other food that is easy to digest. Avoid oily, spicy and fried food. If there is vomiting or loss of appetite, give small amounts often.
Signs that mean going to hospital quickly
Do not take extra medicines or painkillers to bring a fever down without a doctor’s advice. If dengue is suspected in particular, drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin can raise the risk of bleeding. Seek treatment quickly if any of the following appear:
- A fever above 102 degrees Fahrenheit for three days in a row or longer.
- Severe stomach pain, repeated vomiting, or blood in the vomit.
- A reddish rash or unusual dark patches on the body.
- Bleeding from the gums, nose or rectum, or black, tar-like stools.
- Difficulty breathing or severe chest pain.
- The patient becoming very weak, losing consciousness or behaving confusedly.
A special warning: with dengue, do not assume the danger has passed once the fever falls. The patient’s condition can often become serious in the 24 to 48 hours after the fever comes down, when blood pressure may drop or shock may set in. So keep a close watch on the patient’s condition even after the fever falls.
A fever is not a disease in itself; it is a sign of a problem or infection in the body. That is why it is important to find the real cause of a lasting fever. Seeing a doctor in time and having blood and other tests as needed makes it possible to diagnose the illness correctly and treat it properly.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report