High Fever
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Fever means a persistently elevated core body temperature above the normal daily variation.
Background
There are different set points for different methods of measurement. Method of measurement
Set points for fever
Measured rectally
> 38ºC (> 100.4ºF)
Measured in the ear
> 38ºC (> 100.4ºF)
Measured orally > 37.5ºC (> 99.5ºF) Common causes for fever include: - Infection e.g. influenza, gastroenteritis, urinary tract infection - Inflammation e.g. autoimmune diseases, inflammatory joint diseases.
Symptoms and signs
- Shivering or feeling cold - Sweating - Muscle pain
! Body temperature above 40 °C ! ! Stiff neck ! ! Convulsion ! ! Repeated vomiting ! ! Difficulty in breathing ! ! Change in consciousness ! ! Significant deviation from the ! usual status
