Fever and infections
Fever is the body's response to an infection or inflammation. Most short fevers settle with rest and fluids, but some, such as dengue, malaria, typhoid and scrub typhus, which are common in Assam especially in and after the monsoon, need prompt testing and treatment. At Medcare in Bongaigaon, Dr. Tamoghna Das examines you, chooses the right tests, treats the cause and watches for warning signs.
At a glance
- See a doctor if: fever lasts more than 2 to 3 days, is very high, or comes with any warning sign
- Common causes in our area: viral fever, dengue, malaria, typhoid, scrub typhus, leptospirosis, urine infections, chest infections, flu
- People who need early review: those with diabetes, heart, kidney or liver disease, pregnancy, older adults and anyone on steroids or cancer treatment
- Tests: chosen after examination; usually done at a lab of your choice
- Fever medicine: use only what your doctor advises; avoid painkillers commonly used for joint pain until dengue is ruled out
Fevers common in Assam
- Dengue: high fever, severe body and eye pain, rash; risk of falling platelets and fluid leak, usually between days 3 and 7
- Malaria: fever with chills and sweating, sometimes coming in cycles; some types become serious quickly
- Typhoid: fever that rises over days, with stomach pain, headache and weakness; spread through unsafe food and water
- Scrub typhus: fever after working in fields, bushes or gardens, often with a small black scab where a mite bit
- Leptospirosis: fever with muscle pain, especially calf pain, after wading in floodwater or mud
- Japanese encephalitis: fever with confusion or fits, mostly in the monsoon; an emergency
- Urine infection: burning, frequent urination, back or side pain, especially in women and people with diabetes
- Chest infection or flu: cough, breathlessness, sore throat
What happens at Medcare
- History. How the fever started, its pattern, travel, field or flood exposure, food and water, contacts, and your other illnesses.
- Examination. Temperature, BP, pulse, oxygen, hydration, rash, throat, chest, abdomen and any bite marks.
- Tests. Chosen to match your symptoms: blood count and platelets, dengue, malaria, typhoid or scrub typhus tests, urine tests, chest X-ray, and sugar for people with diabetes.
- Treatment. Fluids, fever control, and antibiotics or antimalarials only when the cause needs them.
- Warning signs explained. You leave knowing exactly when to come back or go to hospital.
- Review. A follow-up visit or WhatsApp report check, especially in dengue during the risky days.
- History. How the fever started, its pattern, travel, field or flood exposure, food and water, contacts, and your other illnesses.
- Examination. Temperature, BP, pulse, oxygen, hydration, rash, throat, chest, abdomen and any bite marks.
- Tests. Chosen to match your symptoms: blood count and platelets, dengue, malaria, typhoid or scrub typhus tests, urine tests, chest X-ray, and sugar for people with diabetes.
- Treatment. Fluids, fever control, and antibiotics or antimalarials only when the cause needs them.
- Warning signs explained. You leave knowing exactly when to come back or go to hospital.
- Review. A follow-up visit or WhatsApp report check, especially in dengue during the risky days.
Antibiotics do not help viral fevers, including dengue and flu. Taking them without need causes side effects and resistance. Dr. Das prescribes them when there is a clear reason.
Care at home
- Drink plenty of fluids: water, ORS, coconut water, soup, dal water
- Rest
- Sponge with lukewarm water for high fever
- Check urine output: less urine can mean dehydration
- People with diabetes: check sugar more often, as infection raises sugar
Preventing monsoon fevers
- Use mosquito nets and repellents; empty standing water around the house each week
- Drink boiled or filtered water; eat freshly cooked food
- Wear boots and full sleeves when working in fields, gardens or floodwater
- Keep vaccines up to date, including typhoid and flu if advised, and Japanese encephalitis vaccination as per the government programme
When to see a doctor urgently
Go to a hospital emergency or call 108 or 112 for: confusion, drowsiness or fits; severe stomach pain or repeated vomiting; bleeding from gums or nose, blood in vomit or stools, or black stools; breathlessness; very little urine; cold clammy skin or fainting; or a rash that does not fade when pressed. In dengue, the risk is highest when the fever starts coming down.
FAQs
When should I see a doctor for fever?
See a doctor if fever lasts more than 2 to 3 days, is above 102°F, or comes with severe body pain, vomiting, rash, breathlessness or confusion. People with diabetes, heart or kidney disease, pregnant women and older adults should be seen earlier.
When should a dengue test be done?
The NS1 test is most useful in the first 5 days of fever. Antibody tests become positive after about 5 days. A blood count with platelets is checked during the illness. Dr. Das will choose the right test based on the day of your fever.
Is a low platelet count always dangerous in dengue?
Platelets often fall in dengue, but most people recover without a transfusion. The bigger danger is fluid leaking from blood vessels, which shows as stomach pain, vomiting, cold hands or low urine. Watching for these warning signs matters more than the platelet number alone.
Can I take antibiotics for fever?
Only when a doctor finds a bacterial cause, such as typhoid, scrub typhus or a urine infection. Most fevers are viral and get better without antibiotics. Unneeded antibiotics cause side effects and make future infections harder to treat.
What is scrub typhus?
Scrub typhus is an infection spread by the bite of tiny mites found in grass, bushes and fields. It causes fever, headache and body pain, sometimes with a small black scab at the bite site. It is common in Assam and treats well with the right antibiotic when found early.
Why does my sugar go up when I have fever?
Infections release stress hormones that raise blood sugar. People with diabetes should check sugar more often during illness, keep drinking fluids, and not stop insulin. Call the clinic if sugar stays above 300 mg/dL or you cannot eat.
Sources
- National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC), guidelines on dengue, malaria and Japanese encephalitis
- Indian Council of Medical Research, guidelines on scrub typhus and antimicrobial use
- World Health Organization, dengue fact sheet
Related care
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tamoghna Das, MBBS, MD (Medicine) · Assam Council of Medical Registration No. 20276 · Last reviewed 3 October 2026
Book a visit with Dr. Tamoghna Das
Call 60031 21297 or send a WhatsApp message. We confirm your time within 30 to 60 minutes during clinic hours.