The document discusses issues around fever and paracetamol use during the COVID-19 pandemic. It notes confusion exists among the public and healthcare professionals about what constitutes a fever. While 37°C has long been considered normal, research suggests the average is lower. The document reports on a survey finding different perceptions of fever thresholds among laypeople, nurses, and doctors. With no consensus and varying advice given, people are justifiably confused and anxious about fever symptoms. The document aims to clarify definitions and dispel myths around fever and paracetamol use.

1. Empowerment
objective - for
laypeople to have an
understanding of
the issues involved
in FEVER and
PARACETAMOL.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
January 22, 2022
1400H - 1500H
Via Zoom

2. Empowerment
objective - for
laypeople to have an
understanding of
the issues involved
in FEVER and
PARACETAMOL.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
ROJoson PEP Talk
I have a Patient
Empowerment
Program in which I
like to empower the
lay people or
patients to take
control in the
management of
their health.

3. There are 3 courses
in the PEP Talk.
I completed the Core
Course on October 9,
2021.

4. From October 23,
2021 onwards, I have
been tackling Health
Disorder and Health
Issue Courses. This
may take 3 years or
longer.

5. Empowerment
objective - for
laypeople to have an
understanding of
the issues involved
in FEVER and
PARACETAMOL.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
My PEP TALK today
is entitled: FEVER
and PARACETAMOL:
Myths and Tips.
This is part of the
Health Issue Course.

6. In this time of COVID pandemic in the
Philippines (March 2020 up to present,
January 2022 – almost 2 years),
among other things,
we commonly hear and see in the news
(from newscasters, physicians’ advice,
patients’ sharing) the varying perceptions
and recommendations on FEVER and
PARACETAMOL.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips

7. Examples:
When you have fever, suspect COVID19.
When you have a temperature of 37.5C,
you have fever.
When you have fever, take paracetamol.
The branded paracetamol is out of stock in
drugstores.
Etc.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
FEVER and
PARACETAMOL
are always in the
news especially in
this OMICRON
surge.

8. With the varying perceptions and
recommendations on FEVER and
PARACETAMOL being disseminated by
newscasters, physicians and lay people,
the public is
naturally CONFUSED and ANXIOUS.
expectedly CONFUSED and ANXIOUS.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips

9. CASE IN POINT
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
Reaction to my
MEDICAL TIP post
(January 16, 2022):
“Medications only
as needed for
moderate to
severe symptoms
(paracetamol for
fever 39C and
above ……)

10. CASE IN POINT
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
Reaction to my
MEDICAL TIP post
(January 16, 2022):
“Medications only
as needed for
moderate to
severe symptoms
(paracetamol for
fever 39C and
above ……)
I answered:
NO typo!
YES, 39C!

11. CASE IN POINT
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
Reaction to my
MEDICAL TIP post
(January 16, 2022):
“Medications only
as needed for
moderate to
severe symptoms
(paracetamol for
fever 39C and
above ……)
Then, I reinforced my response with a published
quote from an Infectious Disease Specialist:
“Give paracetamol only if temperature is more
than 38.5 degrees or if the symptoms are really
troublesome. I usually allow low-grade fever (37.5
to 38.5) to occur because this is also part of the
body's response to kill the virus.
If with low-grade fever, take a bath, wear loose
clothing, take lots of fluids and rest.”

12. CASE IN POINT
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
Reaction to my
MEDICAL TIP post
(January 16, 2022):
“Medications only
as needed for
moderate to
severe symptoms
(paracetamol for
fever 39C and
above ……)
I answered:
NO typo!
YES, 39C!
This incident
prompted me to do
a PEP Talk on these
issues right away!
While it is still hot!
To correct myths
and to give tips!

13. What are the issues associated with FEVER
and PARACETAMOL?
FEVER
What are the common perceptions and
practices with regards to FEVER that are
considered myths and need adjustment, if
not correction?
Both by the public and health care
professionals?
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips

14. FEVER ----- Common issues:
What is a fever?
When does one say one definitely has a
fever?
What is the temperature that will
definitely signify one has a fever?
What is the meaning and significance of
fever?
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips

15. What are the issues associated with FEVER
and PARACETAMOL?
PARACETAMOL
What are the common perceptions and
practices with regards to PARACETAMOL
that are considered myths and need
adjustment, if not correction?
Both by the public and health care
professionals?
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips

16. PARACETAMOL
Common issues:
What are the uses of paracetamol?
Does one has to take paracetamol all the
times when one has fever?
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips

17. FEVER ----- Common issues:
What is a fever?
When do one say one definitely has a
fever?
What is the temperature that will
definitely signify one has a fever?
What is the meaning and significance of
fever?
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips

18. FEVER
What is a fever?
Fever is an increase in the body
temperature
• felt by the person as unusual warm or
hot sensation or / and
• registered in a thermometer as
elevated above a value that is rightfully
accepted as normal.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
• If normal value is
37C, then anything
above 37C is fever.
• If normal value is
37.5C, then anything
above 37.5 is fever.
• If normal value in
37.9C, then anything
above 37.9C is fever.
ISSUE: What is
rightfully the normal
value?

19. FEVER
What is a fever?
Fever is an increase in the body
temperature
• felt by the person as unusual warm or
hot sensation or / and
• registered in a thermometer as
elevated above a value that is rightfully
accepted as normal.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
• If “and” is present,
most likely the
person really has
fever.

20. FEVER
What is a fever?
Fever is an increase in the body
temperature
• felt by the person as unusual warm or
hot sensation or / and
• registered in a thermometer as
elevated above a value that is rightfully
accepted as normal.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
If “or” is the case,
degree of certainty of
fever is NOT as high as
in the “and” case.
Ideally, a thermometer
determination is
advisable to validate
the warm or hot
sensation. If normal,
the warm or warm
sensation may be non-
specific and transitory.

21. FEVER
What is a fever?
Fever is an increase in the body
temperature
• felt by the person as unusual warm or
hot sensation or / and
• registered in a thermometer as
elevated above a value that is rightfully
accepted as normal.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
If “or” is the case,
degree of certainty of
fever is NOT as high as
in the “and” case.
A thermometer reading
above normal value
without warm or hot
sensation needs to be
rechecked before
declaring the presence
of fever.

22. FEVER
When do you say you definitely have
fever?
Fever is said to be definitely present if an
increase in the body temperature is
• felt by the person as unusual warm or
hot sensation and
• registered in a thermometer as
elevated above a value that is rightfully
accepted as normal.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
ISSUE: What is
rightfully the normal
value?

23. FEVER
What is the temperature registered on a
thermometer that will definitely signify
one has a fever?
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
ISSUES:
What is rightfully the
normal value, normal
temperature?
What value above
which should be
considered presence
of fever?

24. FEVER
The myth of 37C as the normal value, normal
temperature
History
In the mid-1800, a German doctor Carl
Wunderlich measured the armpit temperatures of
about 25,000 people and came up with an
average of 98.6 F (or 37C).
Since then up to now, 37C is considered as the
normal value, normal temperature.
>37C is considered fever.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
ISSUES:
What is rightfully the
normal value, normal
temperature?
What value above
which should be
considered presence
of fever?

25. FEVER
Newer research suggests that the number has
since gone down.
Records from three periods between 1860 and
2017 (677,423 measurements among Americans)
showed the average temperature is 36.6C.
Possible reasons: lower metabolic rates; lower
infection rates; better thermometers.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
ISSUES:
What is rightfully the
normal value, normal
temperature?
What value above
which should be
considered presence
of fever?

26. FEVER
In the Philippines, we don’t have similar research
that has determined the average body
temperature of normal Filipinos –
one that we can use to help us determine
what value is considered normal and
what is considered to be fever.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
ISSUES:
What is rightfully the
normal value, normal
temperature?
What value above
which should be
considered presence
of fever?

27. FEVER
In my one year of experience (2021 to 2022) in
monitoring the temperatures of Filipinos during
the COVID crisis, I discovered and noticed the
trend for normal body temperatures to be lower
than 37C. (mostly 36C ±)
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
ISSUES:
What is rightfully the
normal value, normal
temperature?
What value above which
should be considered
presence of fever?

28. FEVER
The body temperatures differ
• from persons to persons
• in different times of the day with varied kinds
of activities and environment
Thus, it is better to talk of a range of values,
rather than a single value, that are still considered
as normal, above and below are abnormal, either
HYPERTHERMIA (FEVER) or HYPOTHERMIA.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
ISSUES:
What is rightfully the
normal value, normal
temperature?
What value above which
should be considered
presence of fever?
At present, majority
of experts (CDC)
considered 38C and
above as
HYPERTHERMIA
(FEVER) and 35C and
below as
HYPOTHERMIA.

29. FEVER
Up to now, there is a lot of confusion going on
among lay people as well as health care
professionals and organizations as to what
constitutes FEVER.
This confusion has a lot of potential negative
repercussions!
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
ISSUES:
What is rightfully the
normal value, normal
temperature?
What value above which
should be considered
presence of fever?
At present, majority
of experts (CDC)
considered 38C and
above as
HYPERTHERMIA
(FEVER) and 35C and
below as
HYPOTHERMIA.

30. FEVER
In the COVID19 pandemic and crisis, we have to
know what measured temperature is considered
FEVER!
As FEVER is the primary symptom used
to suspect COVID19
and
to monitor the course of a COVID19 infection!
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
ISSUES:
What is rightfully the
normal value, normal
temperature?
What value above which
should be considered
presence of fever?
At present, majority
of experts (CDC)
considered 38C and
above as
HYPERTHERMIA
(FEVER) and 35C and
below as
HYPOTHERMIA.

31. FEVER
Different perceptions
Between and among
LAYPEOPLE
NURSES
PHYSICIANS
I did a survey in April 2021.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
ISSUES:
What is rightfully the
normal value, normal
temperature?
What value above which
should be considered
presence of fever?
At present, majority
of experts (CDC)
considered 38C and
above as
HYPERTHERMIA
(FEVER) and 35C and
below as
HYPOTHERMIA.

32. Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
ISSUES:
What is rightfully the
normal value, normal
temperature?
What value above which
should be considered
presence of fever?
At present, majority
of experts (CDC)
considered 38C and
above as
HYPERTHERMIA
(FEVER) and 35C and
below as
HYPOTHERMIA.
Temperature
(in C)
Laypeople
N(%)
Nurses
N(%)
Physicians
N(%)
36 – 36.5 3 (2.8) 3 (1.6) 1 (0.6)
36.6 – 37 4 (3.7) 2 (1) 2 (1.2)
37.1 – 37.5 32 (29.9) 15 (7.9) 14 (8.2)
37.6 – 37.7 32 (29.9) 58 (30.4) 60 (35.1)
37.8 – 37.9 17 (15.9) 90 (47.1) 70 (40.9)
38.0 – 38.9 19 (17.8) 23 (12) 22 (12.9)
39.0 & higher 0 0 2 (1.2)
107 191 171
Different perceptions between and among
LAYPEOPLE, NURSES and PHYSICIANS

33. Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
ISSUES:
What is rightfully the
normal value, normal
temperature?
What value above which
should be considered
presence of fever?
At present, majority
of experts (CDC)
considered 38C and
above as
HYPERTHERMIA
(FEVER) and 35C and
below as
HYPOTHERMIA.
Different perceptions between and among
LAYPEOPLE, NURSES and PHYSICIANS
Potential Repercussions
Not having a common interpretation of the
temperature gotten from a digital thermometer
will lead to miscommunication among people,
particularly between laypeople and physicians
and between nurses and physicians.
The miscommunication may lead to wrong
decision-making and actions.

34. Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
ISSUES:
What is rightfully the
normal value, normal
temperature?
What value above which
should be considered
presence of fever?
At present, majority
of experts (CDC)
considered 38C and
above as
HYPERTHERMIA
(FEVER) and 35C and
below as
HYPOTHERMIA.
Different perceptions between and among
LAYPEOPLE, NURSES and PHYSICIANS
Potential Repercussions
If a patient wrongly thinks a fever is present
because of a certain temperature reading, he/she
may panic and think he/she may have COVID19 as
fever is being considered as the primary symptom
in suspecting COVID19 in this time of COVID19
pandemic.
He/she may go for a COVID19 test which may turn
out to be uncalled for because of a false
interpretation of the temperature.

35. FEVER
ALL OVER THE WORLD, PHILIPPINES INCLUDED,
THERE IS NO UNIFORMITY OR CONSENSUS
ON WHAT ONE SPECIFIC MEASURED
TEMPERATURE
IS TO BE CONSIDERED FEVER.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
ISSUES:
What is rightfully the
normal value, normal
temperature?
What value above which
should be considered
presence of fever?
At present, majority
of experts (CDC)
considered 38C and
above as
HYPERTHERMIA
(FEVER) and 35C and
below as
HYPOTHERMIA.

36. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (USA) -
uses 38C as FEVER.
World Health Organization – uses 37.5 C (axillary
temperature) and 38 C (rectal temperature) as
cut-off for FEVER.
Department of Health of the Philippines based on
an infographic uses 37.5 C as the cut-off as FEVER.
The Philippine Society for Microbiology and
Infectious Diseases has not declared any cut-off
for FEVER.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
ISSUES:
What is rightfully the
normal value, normal
temperature?
What value above which
should be considered
presence of fever?
At present, majority
of experts (CDC)
considered 38C and
above as
HYPERTHERMIA
(FEVER) and 35C and
below as
HYPOTHERMIA.

37. FEVER
ALL OVER THE WORLD, PHILIPPINES INCLUDED,
THERE IS NO UNIFORMITY OR CONSENSUS
ON WHAT ONE SPECIFIC MEASURED
TEMPERATURE
IS TO BE CONSIDERED FEVER.
SO, HOW DO WE RESOLVE THE ISSUE?
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
ISSUES:
What is rightfully the
normal value, normal
temperature?
What value above which
should be considered
presence of fever?
At present, majority
of experts (CDC)
considered 38C and
above as
HYPERTHERMIA
(FEVER) and 35C and
below as
HYPOTHERMIA.

38. FEVER
The body temperatures differ
from persons to persons
in different times of the day with varied kinds of
activities and environment
Thus, it is best to take and monitor your own
baseline usual body temperature so that you can
use it as a basis for determining your own fever
when it occurs.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
ISSUES:
What is rightfully the
normal value, normal
temperature?
What value above which
should be considered
presence of fever?
At present, majority
of experts (CDC)
considered 38C and
above as
HYPERTHERMIA
(FEVER) and 35C and
below as
HYPOTHERMIA.

39. For 3 consecutive days, 3x/day, using a digital
thermometer, measure your temperatures
(armpit or / and mouth) – to get your usual /
baseline.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
For MOUTH
/ ARMPIT
Temperature
0700-
0800H –
before
meal
1200-
1300H –
before
meal
1900-
2000H –
before
meal
Whole day
average
Day 1 M1 N1 E1 D1µ
Day 2 M2 N2 E2 D2µ
Day 3 M3 N3 E3 D3µ
Average Mµ Nµ Eµ Gµ
(general
average)
After computing and
determining your
average general body
temperatures for both
armpit / mouth areas,
keep these records
and use them to
determine presence
or absence of fever in
the future.
Use at least one (1)
Centigrade elevation
as a basis for saying
you have FEVER.

40. For 3 consecutive days, 3x/day, using a digital
thermometer, measure your temperatures
(armpit or / and mouth) – to get your usual /
baseline.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
For MOUTH
/ ARMPIT
Temperature
0700-
0800H –
before
meal
1200-
1300H –
before
meal
1900-
2000H –
before
meal
Whole day
average
Day 1 36.6 36.8 36.4 36.6
Day 2 36.5 35.6 35.9 36
Day 3 35.8 36.9 36.8 36.5
Average 36.3 36.4 36.3 36.4
After computing and
determining your
average general body
temperatures for both
armpit / mouth areas,
keep these records
and use them to
determine presence
or absence of fever in
the future.
Use at least one (1)
Centigrade elevation
as a basis for saying
you have FEVER.
Sample monitoring and computation

41. In the meantime that you don't have the baseline
determination of your normal or usual body
temperature, use 38C as a basis for determining
FEVER.
It goes without saying that you should also have
an accompanying warm feeling or warm to touch
of your body to complement the measured
temperatures for a diagnosis of FEVER.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
38C – low grade fever
39C – moderate
grade fever
40C – high grade
fever

42. SINAT vs LAGNAT
Filipinos commonly use the word “SINAT.” What
does it really mean? I don’t exactly know the
answer. It may mean low-grade fever. Here is my
take on the issue.
If LAGNAT is fever and fever is 38C or at least one
C higher than your usual baseline temperature,
then what is SINAT?
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
38C – low grade fever
39C – moderate
grade fever
40C – high grade
fever

43. SINAT vs LAGNAT
SINAT is an unusually and persistent warm or hot
feeling.
If this SINAT is accompanied by an abnormally
elevated temperature, at least 38C, then it is in
reality a LAGNAT or FEVER.
If it is NOT accompanied by an abnormally
elevated temperature, then it remains as SINAT –
warm or hot feeling and NOT FEVER.
It cannot be MILD FEVER as 38C is operationally
defined as low-grade or mild fever.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
38C – low grade fever
39C – moderate
grade fever
40C – high grade
fever

44. FEVER or LAGNAT
said to be definitely present if an increase in the
body temperature is
• felt by the person as unusual warm or hot
sensation and
• registered in a thermometer as elevated
above a value that is rightfully accepted as
normal (at least 38C or at least 1 Centigrade
higher than one’s usual baseline
temperature).
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
FEVER / LAGNAT
38C – low-grade fever
39C – moderate-
grade fever
40C – high-grade
fever
or
at least one (1)
Centigrade higher
than one’s usual
baseline temperature

45. FEVER
The body temperatures differ
• from persons to persons
• in different times of the day with varied kinds
of activities and environment
Also depending on:
• Where the temperature is gotten (mouth,
armpit, rectum, forehead, hand, etc.)
• Type of thermometers
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
Differential
temperatures based
on parts of body
obtained: (<1C diff)
Rectal temperature –
usually highest
Then
Mouth or oral temp
Then
Armpit temp
For practical reasons, just take armpit or
mouth temp and use least expensive digital
thermometer (just check accuracy)

46. What is the meaning and significance of FEVER?
FEVER can be caused by a lot of things.
Nonspecific causes – fever whose exact cause
cannot be definitely identified.
Specific causes – fever whose exact cause can be
definitely identified. Examples: fever caused by
excessive exercise; environment fever; fever
caused by infection; etc.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips

47. What is the meaning and significance of FEVER?
FEVER is NOT a DISEASE and is NOT the DISEASE.
FEVER is a reaction of the body against something
disturbing it.
FEVER is a symptom felt by a person that may
signify that a medical condition or a disease is
going on.
FEVER is a protective mechanism and a sign that
the body's immune system is on.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips

48. What is the meaning and significance of FEVER?
With FEVER being a protective mechanism and a
sign that the body's immune system is on:
FEVER can spontaneously disappear even without
treatment.
FEVER can and should disappear after active
treatment, especially after removal or resolution
of the cause.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips

49. What is the meaning and significance of FEVER?
Management of FEVER:
• Treat the CAUSE of the FEVER if identified
before considering treating the FEVER.
Remember FEVER is a symptom or reaction
and NOT the DISEASE.
• Treat FEVER only when indicated and properly.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips

50. What is the meaning and significance of FEVER?
Treat FEVER only when indicated and properly.
Some ways to treat FEVER:
• Rest – must
• Plenty of fluids – must
• Loose clothings and cool environment – must
• Lukewarm baths - must
• Drugs – may use only as indicated / may not be
needed
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips

51. PARACETAMOL
Drugs commonly used for FEVER
Action on an area in the brain that regulates body
temperature (the hypothalamic heat-regulating
center)
For adults, dosage is 500mg to 1000mg every 4 to
6 hours (maximum of 4000mg /day)
- Leave at least 4 hours between recommended doses
- Not recommended for more than 5 days
Danger: on liver (overdose = liver failure)
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
PARACETAMOL
May use only as
indicated for
fever
May not be
needed for fever

52. PARACETAMOL
May use only as indicated / may not be needed
AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, AVOID TAKING
PARACETAMOL!!!
Use it only for high-grade fever or severely
uncomfortable hot feeling not relieved by cooling
environment.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips

53. PARACETAMOL
AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, AVOID TAKING
PARACETAMOL!!!
Fever is a protective mechanism and a sign that
the body's immune system is on.
Allow the fever to do its job of fighting against
the cause / infection.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips

54. PARACETAMOL
AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, AVOID TAKING
PARACETAMOL!!!
Allow the fever to do its job of fighting against
the cause / infection.
Just like we try to kill germs by boiling or burning, the body
increases the body temperature in an attempt to kill the
infecting germs.
By actively controlling fever, we are actually
suppressing body’s own mechanism of fighting
the infecting germs.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips

55. PARACETAMOL
AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, AVOID TAKING
PARACETAMOL!!!
Allow the fever to do its job of fighting against
the cause / infection.
Recent researches have shown that the higher
the temperature in severe bacterial infections,
the BETTER is the survival.
Fever Is Associated with Reduced Mortality in Trauma and Surgical
Intensive Care Unit-Acquired Infections
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips

56. PARACETAMOL
AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, AVOID TAKING
PARACETAMOL!!!
Allow the fever to do its job of fighting against
the cause / infection.
Blocking fever can be harmful because fever, along with
other sickness symptoms, evolved as a defense against
infection. Fever works by causing more damage to
pathogens and infected cells than it does to healthy cells in
the body.
https://academic.oup.com/emph/article/9/1/26/5998648
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
Let fever do its job:
The meaning of
fever in the
pandemic era
For infections with
novel SARS-CoV-2,
we advise that fever
should be allowed to
run its course.

57. PARACETAMOL
AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, AVOID TAKING
PARACETAMOL!!!
Other reasons:
Fever may disappear even without taking
paracetamol after body immune system controls
the inciting cause. (watch and wait)
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips

58. PARACETAMOL
AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, AVOID TAKING
PARACETAMOL!!!
Other reasons:
To use the temperature as a monitoring guide to
see if a person is getting well already without
paracetamol. If one takes paracetamol, the
temperature will definitely go down, artificially.
The fever will be hidden. There will be NO good
gauge of recovering.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
In the COVID19
guidelines, there is
mention of this one
criterion of recovery
and ending of
isolation:
Person has no fever
for 24 hours at least
– some use 3 days –
without fever-
reducing
medications.

59. Issues involved in FEVER and
PARACETAMOL
Myths and Tips given
Definition of FEVER
Sinat vs Lagnat
Meaning and significance of FEVER
When to use and not to use
PARACETAMOL
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
Summary
Take Away

60. Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips
Be always in touch with reliable medical
information on issues on FEVER and
PARACETAMOL.
Knowledge is power; it gives power.
Use the 4Ks of Patient Empowerment:
Kaalaman, Kakayanan, Karapatan and
Kapangyarihan
to gain greater control over decisions in
managing fever and using paracetamol.
Take Away in
relation to
Patient
Empowerment

61. Empowerment
objective - for
laypeople to have an
understanding of
the issues involved
in FEVER and
PARACETAMOL.
Health Issue:
Fever &
Paracetamol:
Myths & Tips