|
|
|
Health Information
|
Saturday, November 22, 2008
|
|
Find
more information about this topic from either the Web or the world's best
medical journals by using the search boxes at the top of this page.
|
| |
|
| Patient
Information Sheet #8, Fever and Lupus |
|
|
Fever
is often a part of lupus. For some people with lupus,
an intermittent (coming and going) or continuous low-grade
fever may be normal. Other people, especially those on
large doses of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs), or corticosteroids, may not have fever
at all because these drugs may mask a fever.
If
you have lupus, you may be more vulnerable to certain
infections than are other people without lupus. In addition,
you may be more prone to infection if you are taking any
immunosuppressive drugs for your lupus. Be alert to a
temperature that is new or higher than normal for you,
because it could be a sign of a developing infection or
a lupus flare.
|
|
Caring
For Yourself
- Take
your temperature at least once a day (or more
often if needed) to determine what a normal
temperature is for you.
- Take
your temperature and watch for a fever any time
you feel chills or do not feel well.
- Call
your doctor immediately if you have a new or higher-than-normal
temperature.
- Even
if you don t have a fever, don t hesitate to
call your doctor if you do not feel well in any
way, particularly if you are taking aspirin, NSAIDs,
or a corticosteroid. Signs of infection other
than a fever include unusual pain, cramping or
swelling, a headache with neck stiffness, cold
or flu symptoms, trouble breathing, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, or changes in urine or stool.
- Talk
to your doctor about immunization against pneumococcal
pneumonia and the flu.
- Practice
good personal hygiene.
- Avoid
large crowds and people who are sick.
|
|
|
ADDITIONAL
NOTES
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| From
LUPUS: A Patient Care Guide for Nurses and Other Health
Professionals, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal
and Skin Diseases/National Institutes of Health |
|
Patient
Information Sheet #8
Patient Information Sheets |
|
|
Outline Credits Acknowledgments Introduction
1. Erythematosus 2. Advances 3. Tests 4. Care 5. Medications
6. Psychosocial Aspects 7. Patient Info. 8. Resources
|
|
National Institute
of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-2350
January 26,
1999
|
|
|
|
|
.gif)
