How would a called-in doctor treat high fever?

Question

If the fever was really high (around 39,5 C.) due to a flu for example, but got the best of the patient (if the patient was not eating properly for a long time for example, and had a very weak system), what would a called-in doctor do to ease the discomfort, before prescribing drugs? Would he give the patient an injection or a pill?

Thank you, this is for a short story.

(ps. they don't want to call an ambulance).

Answer 1

Let me clue you in on a little "doctor secret." We don't really give a rat's behind about fever. As long as the temperature is somewhere between 34 and 42, it doesn't mean much as an independent problem. What we care about is the cause of the fever. Some extra fluids and a couple of Tylenol is more than adequate for the fever itself.

Doctors are generally also firm believers in Murphy's Law, so an adult with that degree of fever would make us consider additional diagnoses, such as pneumonia or meningitis. Where the fever is a little uncomfortable, those things can kill you.

It's also the case that fever increases fluid losses, and in combination with the decreased oral intake, hydration status is a concern. We don't say "drink plenty of fluids" just because we like the sound of our voices.

If it turns out that the only diagnosis is indeed flu, with no other illnesses or complications, then there's no particularly useful treatment, and the patient's family are usually immediately convinced the doctor is uncaring, but that's just part of the profession. Fluids and Tylenol, by the way, without further treatment, is exactly the way we treat ourselves, but there's no convincing the general public that it's true.

Answer 2

dehydration, malnutrition, high fever-

He might well admit the patient like it or not. Just long enough to re-hydrate them, and get them strong enough to take nourishment. Can't treat that situation with aspirin and antibiotics.