A fever is an abnormal temperature elevation beyond a person’s normal baseline. In general, fevers are part of the body’s immune system, an alert to the presence of infection or inflammation. According to an article in "Scientific American" magazine, fevers help the immune system battle microbes by limiting their ability to replicate. The hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls the body’s temperature, regulates temperature elevations and, in response to substances called pyrogens, stimulates the body to retain heat. This causes a fever. Occasionally, a person may develop a condition that produces a persistent temperature elevation. According to MayoClinic.com, if a fever persists for more than one day in an infant or three days in older children and adults, seek medical attention as this could signal the presence of a serious medical condition. There are several things you should know about treating a persistent fever.
Step 1
Reduce the fever by removing excess clothing and taking sponge baths. Use tepid -- not cold -- water and for no more than 15 to 20 minutes, without submerging the person, to allow for heat evaporation. Alcohol rubs or ice should not be used, as they cause shivering, which ends up increasing the body's temperature. Cooling blankets are used in cases of hyperpyrexia, or markedly abnormal temperature elevations, which requires rapid cooling to protect the brain.
Step 2
Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Fevers increase fluid loss from the body, so maintaining appropriate fluid intake is important. Signs of dehydration include dry lips and mouth, decreased urine output, dry skin, decreased tears and a sunken fontanel, or soft spot, in the skull of infants. Appropriate hydration with water for adults, or electrolyte-containing rehydration solutions for infants and young children, can help prevent dehydration.
Step 3
Use medications to treat fever. Antipyretics, or medicines that reduce fever, can be used if the temperature elevation makes the person uncomfortable. The most common fever-reducing medications are acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen. These medicines inhibit the production of an enzyme in the brain that triggers the body’s fever response. Other NSAIDs that can control a persistent fever include naproxen and aspirin. Parents should not use aspirin to decrease fever in their child, as the interaction of aspirin and certain viruses such as the flu can cause Reye syndrome, a condition that can result in liver and brain damage. Other side effects of NSAIDs, especially if taken in large amounts or for prolonged periods of time, include stomach irritation, liver injury and kidney problems.
Step 4
Seek medical attention for fever of unknown origin. Prolonged fevers require evaluation by a health care provider to look for potentially serious and treatable conditions. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, a fever that lasts more than three weeks without an obvious source despite the person undergoing an initial medical evaluation falls under the category of fever of unknown origin, or FUO. The most common causes of fever of unknown origin include infections, malignancies, and autoimmune conditions, in which the body attacks its own tissues thinking they are foreign. Infections that can produce prolonged fevers include tuberculosis; occult abscesses of the pelvis or abdomen; endocarditis, an infection of the inner layer of the heart; and osteomyelitis, or bone infections. Malignancies that cause prolonged fever include leukemia, lymphomas, renal or kidney cancer, and metastatic cancer. Fever-generating autoimmune conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and lupus. Make sure your health providers knows of all medications you are taking, as certain drugs can produce persistent fevers.
Step 5
Undergo tests and procedures to find the cause of the fever. Prompt medical evaluation of these potential causes is of great importance to avoid long-term complications. The evaluation for possible causes of prolonged fever can be quite extensive and arduous, and includes blood tests to assess the response of the body’s immune system to the presence of fever; imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and MRIs to visualize internal organs and evaluate for malignancies or abscesses; and biopsies, particularly if there are any enlarged organs or tissues that are inflamed. Treatment of these underlying causes of fever can eventually regulate the body’s temperature.
Things You'll Need
- Thermometer
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS
- Oral rehydration solution
- Tepid water
- Towels or compresses
