Fever most commonly signals infection or inflammation
somewhere in the body. The temperature is likely to be highest during a
bacterial or severe viral infection. With a mild infection such as a cold,
temperature elevation may be slight and fleeting. When fever is high, there is
usually no hesitancy about calling the physician. But there may be other
occasions when the physician should be consulted.
First
A few facts about taking temperature
Aspirin and aspirin-containing medications bring down
elevated temperature and tend to keep it down for as long as four hours. So for
accurate determinations, temperature should be taken before use of such
medications or four or five hours afterward. Remember, too, that if temperature
is taken immediately after smoking, it may be higher than normal; and
conversely, if taken by mouth just after a cold drink, it may be lower than
normal. Before taking temperature, rinse the thermometer in cool water and
shake it until the mercury falls below the 95-degree mark. If you use an oralthermometer, hold it under the tongue, with mouth shut, for at least three
minutes.
A rectal thermometer, after lubrication, should be inserted
up to the 98.6-degree line while the patient lies on his side. It should remain
in place for three to five minutes. For the average person, mouth temperature
normally is 98.6 degrees, and rectal tends to be about one degree higher. When
fever is mild-under 100 degrees orally or 101 rectally-and the only other
symptom is nasal congestion, a slight cough, or a scratchy throat, there is no
urgency about calling the physician. But take the temperature every three or
four hours and note the severity of symptoms. If symptoms become worse or if
the temperature moves up to 101 orally or 102 rectally, then notify your
physician. Always when fever is present it is important to note the
accompanying.
