Fever Symptoms
Fever is not a disease in itself, but rather a symptom of some underlying problem, most commonly an infection. Depending on the cause, a.fever is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as sweating, shivering, thirst, flushed skin, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. A fever alone does not necessarily require treatment—it is one of the body’s natural ways of fighting disease and, generally, should not be suppressed unless it is very high or accompanied by other symptoms. When fever-lowering medication is indicated, either acetaminophen or aspirin may be effective. But aspirin should never be given to anyone under the age of 18 without a doctor’s approval; aspirin given during a viral infection increases the risk of developing Reye’s syndrome, a potentially life- threatening disease affecting the brain and liver. Keep in mind that children’s fevers can rise rapidly, so even a high temperature over 102°F (39°C) does not necessarily reflect the severity of an illness.
