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Fever is a body temperature of more than 100.5°F taken by mouth that lasts for one or more days. Fever is usually caused by an infection. Infections can be viral (in which case the symptoms can be treated even though there may be no treatment for the cause), or they can be bacterial or fungal (in which case medicines may be prescribed after the infection is diagnosed). Other causes include inflammatory illness, drug reactions, or tumor growth. Sometimes, the cause may not be known. In an infection, the fever is a result of the body “heating up” to try to kill any invading germs. A fever is an important natural defense against germs.
People getting chemo are more likely to have infections because they have lower numbers of the white blood cells needed to fight them (see section on blood counts). It is good to have an easy-to-read, easy-to-use, oral (by mouth) thermometer so you can check your body temperature.
What to Look For
- Increased skin temperature
- Feeling warm
- Feeling tired
- Headache
- Feeling cold
- Body aches
- Skin rashes
- Shaking chills
- Any new area of redness or swelling
- Pus or yellowish discharge from an injury or other location
- New cough or shortness of breath
- New abdominal pain
- Burning or pain when urinating
- Sore throat
- The patient is confused, doesn’t know where he or she is, becomes forgetful, or isn’t making sense (see section on confusion)
What the Patient Can Do
- Check temperature by mouth every two to three hours. If unable to hold the thermometer in your mouth, put it under your armpit.
- Keep a record of temperature readings.
- Drink a lot of liquids (e.g., water, fruit juices, cola, popsicles, and soups).
- Get enough rest.
- Cover yourself with a blanket if chilly.
- Cover yourself only with a sheet if hot.
- Use a cold compress on the forehead if hot.
- Take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or other medicines for fever if prescribed by the doctor.
What Caregivers Can Do
- Watch for shaking chills, and check the temperature after the shaking stops.
- Check temperature by placing the thermometer in mouth or under armpit. (Do not take temperature rectally unless the doctor tells you it’s okay.)
- Encourage visitors who have fevers or the flu to visit the patient by phone until they are well again.
- Offer extra fluids and snacks.
- Help the patient take medicines on schedule.
- Call the doctor if the patient if the patient is confused, doesn’t know where he or she is, becomes forgetful, or isn’t making sense (see section on confusion)
Call the doctor if the patient:
- has a temperature to 100.5°F or higher, taken by mouth
- has two or more symptoms listed under “What to Look For”
- has fever lasting for more than 24 hours
- has shaking chills
- cannot take fluids
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