Is a Fever Something You Should Worry About When it Comes to Your Elderly Loved One?

ELDER CARE IN MINNEAPOLIS MN

Your loved one’s body has a complicated system for regulating his internal temperature and sometimes he may end up with an elevated temperature or a fever. Most of the time a fever isn’t something to be extremely worried about, but there are enough times that a fever can be out of control, so it helps to understand what to do for a fever if your loved one develops one.

Causes of a Fever

Your loved one can develop a fever for a variety of reasons. The most common is due to a viral or bacterial infection, which usually comes along with a host of other symptoms beyond just a fever. Other causes for a fever can include:

• Heat exhaustion
• Bad sunburns
• Some types of arthritis
• Medication side effects
• Vaccination side effects

Treating any fever involves first trying to determine the cause of the fever in order to come up with the right treatment. It’s always a good idea to consult with your loved one’s doctor so that you aren’t trying to guess about what could be causing the fever. He can let you know the best treatment methods and when you should become more concerned.

Complications of Fevers

A fever isn’t necessarily all that dangerous, but it can lead to more dangerous complications if it goes on too long. Any fever over 103 degrees Fahrenheit is cause for concern and you should call your loved one’s doctor immediately if his fever goes that high. Besides that, complications that you should look out for can include dehydration because of the fever and even fever-induced seizures. These are not common in adults, but if your loved one’s temperature spikes or he has other health conditions that can make him more susceptible to seizures, this can be a concern.

Home Remedies for Treating a Fever

The best treatments for a fever include getting plenty of rest and drinking plenty of fluids. Your loved one’s doctor may also recommend over-the-counter fever reducing medications depending on the cause of the fever. Your loved one may want to take a tepid shower or bath, too, depending on how he feels. For some people, fever alternates with chills, so it’s a good idea to have blankets handy so your loved one can grab them when he’s feeling cooler again.

Source
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fever/basics/definition/con-20019229
http://www.webmd.com/first-aid/fevers-causes-symptoms-treatments
http://www.medicinenet.com/aches_pain_fever/page2.htm