CONFUSION BETWEEN DIFFERENT ILLNESSES THAT CAUSE FEVER
Correctly speaking, a fever is a body temperature higher than normal. But a number of serious illnesses that cause high temperatures are called fever.
To prevent or treat these diseases successfully, it is important to know how to tell one from another.
1) Malaria: Begins with feeling weak, cold and shivery, as the temperature rises. Fever may continue up and down for several days, unless treated, with sweating as the temperature falls, and shivering (rigors) as it rises again. Occasionally, Malaria gives fever every second or third day. The sick person feels more or less well on the days between.
2) Typhoid: Begins like a cold. Temperature goes up a little more each day. Pulse relatively slow. Sometimes diarrhea and dehydration. Trembling and delirium (mind wanders). Person very ill.
3) Typhus: Similar to Typhoid. Rash, similar to that of measles, with tiny bruises.
4) Hepatitis: Person loses appetite. Does not wish to eat or smoke. wants to vomit (nausea). Eyes and skin turn yellow; urine, orange or brown; stools, whitish. Sometimes, liver becomes large, tender. Mild fever. Person very weak.
5) Pneumonia: Fast, shallow breathing. Temperature rises quickly. Cough with green, yellow or bloody mucus. May be pain in chest. Person very ill.
6) Rheumatic fever: Most common in children and teenagers. Pain in joints. High fever. Often comes after a sore throat. May be pain in the chest with shortness of breath. Or uncontrolled movements of arms and legs.
7) Brucellosis (undulant fever, malta fever): Begins slowly with tiredness, headache, and pains in the bones. Fever and sweating most common at night. Fever disappears for a few days only to come back again. This may go on for months or years.
8) Childbirth fever: Begins a day or more after giving birth. Starts with a slight fever, which often rises later. Foul-smelling vaginal discharge. Pain and sometimes, bleeding.
All of these illness can be dangerous. In addition to those shown here, there are many other diseases (especially in tropical countries) that may cause similar signs and fever. These illnesses are not always easy to tell apart. Most are serious or dangerous. When possible- seek medical help.
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Health Tips
Non-FictionContains lot of important notes that would teach readers alot about health Medical issues. A very helpful book indeed. Adapted from 'Where there is no Doctor'.
