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Medical Author:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Treatment

The treatment of a fever depends on its cause. In most cases, except in hyperthermia, acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be given to lower the temperature. Fluids may be given by mouth or IV to prevent dehydration, if necessary.

• Viral illnesses usually resolve without medical treatment. However, medications to help with specific symptoms can be given. These may include medications to lower fever, help with congestion, soothe a sore throat, or control a runny nose. Viruses that cause vomiting and diarrhea may require IV fluids and medications to slow down the diarrhea and stop nausea. A few viral illnesses can be treated with antiviral medications. Herpes and the influenza virus are examples.



• Bacterial illnesses require a specific antibiotic that depends on the type of bacteria found or where it is located in the body. The physician will determine whether the person is admitted to the hospital or sent home. This decision is based on the illness and the person's overall health status.



• Most fungal infections can be treated with an antifungal medication.



• Drug-induced fever is eliminated when the medication is stopped.



• A blood clot requires admission to the hospital and blood-thinner medications.



• Any person with an illness that inhibits the immune system will be evaluated closely and usually admitted to the hospital.



• Environmental heat exposure requires aggressive cooling in the emergency department. The person's clothes will be removed, a cooling fan and cool mist will be used, and his or her vital signs will be monitored closely. Hyperthermic people will be admitted to the hospital.

Thyroid storm is treated by blocking hormone production with drugs like methimazole (Northyx, Tapazole) and iodine to block hormone release plus propranolol (Inderal) to further block the effects of thyroid hormones.