If there is a severe
chill or a rash, then no matter how mild the temperature elevation, medical help
is needed. A stiff neck, even if the fever is slight, may be an early
indication of meningitis. A fever that develops after an accidental cut or
other injury which could have become infected may mean blood poisoning
(septicemia).
When a fever, even mild, is accompanied by nausea and pain in the
abdomen, especially in the lower right part of the abdomen, the problem could
be appendicitis. Appendicitis often progresses rapidly, and whereas it can be
treated effectively early in its course, it may become a major problem if
neglected for even a few hours. One final note about slight fever: If you have
a chronic disorder such as rheumatic heart disease, asthma, diabetes, or
nephritis, your physician may warn you to let him know the minute you discover
a fever or even a common cold coming on.
PAIN
All of us have occasional headaches. And there are mild and fleeting aches and pains from unaccustomed exertion and even family arguments and business or other anxieties. These are certainly no medical emergencies. But any new or unusually acute pain in the chest or abdomen should call for medical consultation. Pain in the chest accompanying exertion may be due to heart trouble-but not invariably. Pain at its worst when you take a deepbreath may be due to pleurisy. Chest pain that develops upon bending over after eating may be due to a hernia of the diaphragm. Many relatively mild abdominal pains are associated with gas in the bowel; some stem from constipation; some are associated with fatigue, depression, or anxiety.
All of us have occasional headaches. And there are mild and fleeting aches and pains from unaccustomed exertion and even family arguments and business or other anxieties. These are certainly no medical emergencies. But any new or unusually acute pain in the chest or abdomen should call for medical consultation. Pain in the chest accompanying exertion may be due to heart trouble-but not invariably. Pain at its worst when you take a deepbreath may be due to pleurisy. Chest pain that develops upon bending over after eating may be due to a hernia of the diaphragm. Many relatively mild abdominal pains are associated with gas in the bowel; some stem from constipation; some are associated with fatigue, depression, or anxiety.
Sometimes, aches and pains that appear to be originating
inside the abdomen or chest are actually coming from the abdominal or chestwall as the result of fibrositis of muscles. Peptic ulcer pain usually comes
with hunger and is relieved by food or an acid- neutralizing agent. Gallbladderpain often starts under the lowest right ribs in front and runs up under theright shoulder blade.
