Headaches and Fever

Headaches have many causes. Often they can develop for no apparent reason as a symptom of common illness such as flu. Sometimes they are an indicator of a more serious condition such as a head injury, stroke, or other serious illness.

TREATMENT

1. Settle the person into a comfortable position in a quiet place. Consider remedies such as dimming the lights, applying a cold compress, providing fresh air, and encouraging sips of cold water.
2. Check for other signs and symptoms that may indicate a more serious condition and take action as appropriate. Seek urgent medical advice if:

• There has been a head injury
• There are signs and symptoms of meningitis.
• The person appears confused, drowsy, or there is any fall in the level of consciousness

     3. Help the person to take her usual painkillers.

     4. If the pain persists, seek medical advice.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MENINGITIS

Any combination of the following may be present:

• Fever
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stiff neck (pain or difficulty in touching the chest with the chin)
• Convulsions
• Sensitivity to light
• Rash (bleeding under the skin) which does not go away if a glass is pressed against it

In addition, in babies and young children:

• The soft spot on the head (the fonatanelle) may be stretched tight
• There may be floppiness, lack of focus on surroundings.

FEVER

A person's normal temperature is between 96.8-100.4 F. A fever occurs when the temperature remains higher than this for some time. Most fevers are caused by infection, either infection associated with diseases such as flu, meningitis, or chickenpox, or with a local infection, such as may follow a bite or an open wound. Most fevers pass with minimal risk but a temperature over 104 F can indicate a serious infection and medical advice should be sought. High temperatures, particularly in young children, can cause febrile convulsions.

TAKING A TEMPERATURE

A raised temperature is a sign that the body is fighting off an infection. There are several types of thermometer that can measure the body's temperature. One of the most accurate is a mercury thermometer, in which a narrow column of mercury expands in response to heat and moves up to a point on a clearly marked scale. Take a temperature on the forehead, in the mouth, under the arm or, if you have an appropriate thermometer, in the ear. Do not take child's mouth temperature if you are using a mercury thermometer-- she may bite it and swallow mercury, which is poison.

TREATMENT

1. Make the person comfortable. Ensure that the surrounding air is cool (open a window or use a fan) and provide cool washcloths or sponges. Take care not to overcool.
2. Give the person plenty of cool drinks. Encourage the person to sip these slowly to prevent feeling nauseous.
3. Look for any other signs of infection, such as rashes or swollen glands, and seek medical advice if you are unsure of the cause or seriousness of the condition.
4. Enable the person to take her usual analgesics. Acetaminophen acts as an antipyretic, which means that it will help reduce a fever as well as bring pain relief. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen are good for bringing down fever. Children should take medicine appropriate for their age.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF FEVER

• Raised temperature
• Pale skin (becoming red as the temperature rises)
• Feeling shaky and shivery
• Increasing aches, pain, and headache as the temperature rises

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Written by Unknown

Frederick Luneta is a 24-year old guy and he is a Computer Engineering student and a young part time blogger. Currently lives in the Philippines. He knows a lot about computer.