We’ve all been there—a sudden spike in temperature, a rush to grab the thermometer, and that ominous beep confirming: it’s a fever. But did you know that not all fevers develop for the same reason?
Understanding Fever
A fever occurs when the body’s temperature rises above the typical 37.2 °C. Most healthcare providers define a fever as a temperature of 38 °C or higher. Often, fevers signal that something is amiss within the body.
Patterns in the Puzzle
Different illnesses can manifest through unique fever patterns:
- Intermittent Fever: Temperature rises but returns to normal daily.
- Remittent Fever: Temperature decreases daily but does not return to normal, varying between 0.3 °C and 1.4 °C.
- Hectic Fever: Either intermittent or remittent fever, characterized by a temperature difference of 1.4 °C or more between the highest and lowest readings.
- Sustained Fever: Elevated temperature with minimal change (0.3 °C or less) throughout the day.
- Relapsing Fever: Episodes of fever spikes separated by days or weeks of normal temperature.
Duration: The Timeline Tells a Tale
The duration of a fever can provide clues about the underlying illness. A fever lasting just a few days is typically due to a mild infection and indicates that your body is working to combat it. However, prolonged or recurring fevers may suggest more serious conditions.
What Does It All Mean?
As a golden rule, if a fever is chronic, recurring, or lasts longer than a few days, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional.
The Power of Panado®
Panado® offers effective relief from pain and fever in both children and adults. It is conveniently available in tablet, capsule, or effervescent form to suit individual preferences.
For children, the Panado® pediatric range includes:
- Panado® Paediatric Syrup Strawberry
- Panado® Paediatric Syrup Peppermint (Alcohol and Sugar-Free)
- Panado® Paediatric Syrup Peppermint 5 ml Sachets
- Panado® Infant Drops
- Panado® Paediatric Syrup – Grape Flavour
When administering medication to infants or children, always use a medicine measure or a syringe, and do not exceed the recommended dose. Dosage details can be found at Panado Dosage Calculator, calculated according to your child's age and weight.
Parents trust Panado® for its effectiveness in alleviating their children's pain and providing relief when needed most. Panado® products are available at leading retailers, including Baby City, Pick n Pay, Checkers, Shoprite, Clicks, Dis-Chem, and independent pharmacies. For more information, visit Panado's website and join the conversation on Facebook.
References
- Riverview Health. Are all fevers and fever symptoms the same? Available from: Riverview Health. Last accessed August 2023.
- Hopkins Medicine. Fever. Available from: Hopkins Medicine. Last accessed August 2023.
- Dall L, Stanford JF. Fever, chills, and night sweats. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods: The history, physical, and laboratory examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 211. Available from: NCBI. Last accessed August 2023.
- CareCentral Urgent Care. When to worry about fever in adults. Available from: CareCentral Urgent Care. Last accessed August 2023.
Contains Paracetamol. KEEP ALL MEDICINES OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN. Always administer using a medicine measure or a syringe. Panado® Paediatric Syrup 5 ml Sachets are for single use only; discard any remaining contents after administration of the correct dosage.
For full prescribing information, refer to the Professional Information approved by SAHPRA. Adcock Ingram Limited. Co. Reg. No.: 1949/034385/06. Private Bag X69, Bryanston, 2021, South Africa. Customer Care: 0860 ADCOCK / 232625 www.adcock.com.
