The overall mean temperature for healthy adult is 98.4-degree F. Temperature greater than 98.4 is considered to have fever. Fever maybe continuous, intermittent or remittent

Diagnosis:

1.     If the history and physical examination suggest that it is likely to be more than a simple URI or viral fever, investigations are indicated

2.     Workup will depend upon the extent and pace of illness which includes complete haemogram with ESR, blood for malaria, blood culture, Widal test, Urine analysis including culture

3.     If fever persist for more than 2 weeks Chest Xray to be done even in the absence of respiratory symptoms

4.     Ultrasonography in some cases of acute fever such as in amoebic liver abscess

Treatment:

1.     Hydrotherapy with tepid water, rest and plenty of oral fluids

2.     Tab Paracetamol 500-1000 mg 6-8 hourly- if fever does not come down after 2 hours Tab Ibuprofen 400-600mg 8 hourly

3.     Antibiotic/antimalarials depending upon the cause suggested by clinical and laboratory evaluation

In most cases of fever, patient may either recover spontaneously or a diagnosis is reached after repeated clinical evaluation and investigations. If no diagnosis is reached in up to 3 weeks, patient is said to be having Pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) and should be managed accordingly