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Compliments of American Academy Of  Family Physicians

Fever

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A fever is defined as a temperature 1° or more above the normal 98.6°. Mild or short-term elevations are common with minor infections. High fevers, with temperatures of 103° and above, can signal a potentially dangerous infection. Contact your doctor in case of a high fever or if a lower fever doesn't resolve with simple treatments.
SYMPTOMS   DIAGNOSIS   SELF-CARE
Begin here        
1. Is the person an infant or child? Yes --> See See Fever In Infants and Children    
No, go down        
2. Is your temperature sometimes normal and always between 97° and 102°? No --> Go to Question 9.*    
Yes, go down        
3. Do you have a sore throat, a dry scratchy cough, tiredness or mild headaches? Yes --> You probably have a mild viral illness, such as a COLD or FLU. --> Treat yourself with fever-reducing and with other symptom-relieving medicine such as a decongestant. Consult your doctor if you're not better in 48 hours or if any of your symptoms become severe.
No, go down        
4. Do you have aches, chills, nausea, vomiting, cramps or diarrhea? Yes --> You may have GASTROENTERITIS. --> Treat yourself with antidiarrheal, anticramping medicine along with medicine for fever, as described above. Contact your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe or bloody, or if the vomiting continues longer than 12 hours.
No, go down        
5. Are you coughing? Does your cough produce yellow, green or tan mucus? Yes --> You probably have BRONCHITIS, but you may have PNEUMONIA. --> If simple cold medicines don't help, see your doctor.
No, go down        
6. Do you have a severe headache, neck stiffness, drowsiness and vomiting, and do normal lights hurt your eyes? Yes --> You may have MENINGITIS, an infection in the area around your brain. --> EMERGENCY
See your doctor or go to the emergency room right away.
No, go down        
7. Do you have fevers that come and go, night sweats or swollen lymph nodes? Yes --> TUBERCULOSIS and AIDS are possible diagnoses, and both are serious infections that need medical care. --> Contact your doctor for an appointment.
No, go down        
8. Do you have mild fevers that have come and gone for weeks, along with sore throat and tiredness? Yes --> You may have a prolonged viral illness, such as MONONUCLEOSIS. --> See your doctor.
No, go down        
*9. Does your temperature stay elevated, usually between 101° and 103°? No --> Go to Question 16.**.    
Yes, go down        
10. Do you have a sore throat and headache? Yes --> You may have a viral illness or STREP THROAT. --> Treat yourself with cold and fever-reducing medicines. If you're no better in 48 hours, see your doctor for further tests.
No, go down        
11. Do you have stomach pain, nausea and/or vomiting? Yes --> You may have a severe medical problem, such as APPENDICITIS, DIVERTICULITIS, PANCREATITIS, HEPATITIS or COLITIS. --> EMERGENCY
Seek the help of your doctor right away.
No, go down        
12. Do you have an open sore, a wound that is red and sore or a streak on your arm or leg? Yes --> You may have an infection of the skin or lymph system, such as CELLULITIS or LYMPHANGITIS. --> Apply heat to the area. If the infection continues to worsen, see your doctor without delay.
No, go down        
13. Does your ear hurt deep inside or when you pull on your earlobe? Yes --> You may have a middle ear infection (OTITIS MEDIA) or an outer ear infection (SWIMMER'S EAR or OTITIS EXTERNA). --> Both of these conditions could lead to more serious infections or problems. Arrange an appointment with your doctor.
No, go down        
14. Have you been exposed to high temperatures outside or in your work place? Yes --> You may have HEAT EXHAUSTION. --> Drink cool liquids and rest in a cool location. Recheck your temperature often until it has returned to normal. If your temperature climbs, have a friend take you to the emergency room.
No, go down        
15. Have you recently started taking a new medicine? Yes --> Your fever may be a side effect of your MEDICINE. --> Call your doctor.
No, go down        
**16. Is your temperature consistently above 103°? No --> Go to conclusion.***    
Yes, go down        
17. Do you have shortness of breath or are you coughing mucus? Yes --> You may have PNEUMONIA or PULMONARY EMBOLUS. --> Call your doctor. Pulmonary embolus is a medical emergency.
No, go down        
18. Do you have pain or burning when you urinate, or do you have back pain? Yes --> You may have a kidney infection, PYELONEPHRITIS. --> Call your doctor.
No, go down        
19. Do you have headache, stiff neck or vomiting, or does normal light hurt your eyes? Yes --> You may have a serious infection around the brain called MENINGITIS. --> EMERGENCY
Contact your doctor right away or go to the emergency room.
No, go down        
20. Have you been in extremely hot weather and are you hot but not sweating, possibly having some confusion? Yes --> You may have HEAT STROKE. --> 

 		 EMERGENCY
Someone should take you to the nearest emergency room while attempting to keep you cool.
No, go down        
*** For more information, please consult your doctor. If you think the problem is serious, call right away.

This tool has been reviewed by doctors and is for general educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice. The information in this tool should not be relied upon to make decisions about your health. Always consult your family doctor with questions about your individual condition(s) and/or circumstances. Source: American Academy of Family Physicians. Family Health & Medical Guide. Dallas: Word Publishing; 1996.

Copyright © 2006 American Academy of Family Physicians
 

 
 
 

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