Fever in adults and children: the right reflexes

What are we talking about?

Fever is an elevation of body temperature. It often reflects a response of the body, without indicating the cause on its own.

In adults as in children, fever can accompany various infections. In a malaria transmission area, it neither confirms nor rules out that infection without an adapted assessment.

What you may observe

Besides temperature, it is useful to observe general condition: alertness, ability to drink, breathing, associated complaints (chills, headache, pain, cough, diarrhoea).

In young children, age, refusal to drink, unusual drowsiness or respiratory distress are particular points of attention, in line with integrated approaches to childhood illness.

• Duration and change over time
• Ability to hydrate and eat
• Associated signs (cough, diarrhoea, stiffness, confusion, rash)

Good practices

Rest the person, favour a well-ventilated environment and ensure regular hydration according to age and tolerance.

Monitor general condition rather than focusing only on the temperature figure. Noting measurement times and how things evolve helps describe the situation to a professional.

• Adapted hydration (water, breast milk as appropriate)
• Rest and monitoring of progress
• Ask for advice before introducing a medicine

What to avoid

Avoid concluding too quickly to a single cause, especially malaria, on the basis of fever alone.

Avoid combining several medicines “for fever” without advice, and delaying assessment when general condition deteriorates.

Medicines: what you need to know

Some medicines may be offered for comfort in case of fever, but the choice, form and dose depend on age, weight, history and medicines already taken.

No individual dosage is given here: ask for advice at the pharmacy or from a health professional before any intake.

When to ask the pharmacist?

The pharmacist can help clarify reasonable comfort measures, check possible interactions with an ongoing treatment, and refer if the situation goes beyond pharmaceutical advice.

Bring the list of medicines already used and specify the age of the person concerned.

When to seek medical care?

Seek professional assessment promptly if fever is accompanied by impaired general condition, difficulty drinking, difficult breathing, confusion, seizures, neck stiffness, or if it concerns an infant, a pregnant woman or a vulnerable person.

In a transmission area, fever that persists or causes concern warrants adapted care rather than prolonged waiting or random antimalarial treatment.