What should you know about what black fever is caused by?

Fever is a regulated rise in body temperature, commonly triggered when the immune system responds to an infection. Respiratory infections, skin infections, and some illnesses affecting the digestive or urinary system can all present with fever. A fever may also accompany an inflammatory condition, follow a medicine reaction, or occur with overheating; these possibilities need different care.

The accompanying pattern is more useful than the label black. Cough and chest discomfort may occur with [Acute Bronchitis](/conditions/acute-bronchitis/); noisy breathing in a young child may occur with [Bronchiolitis](/conditions/bronchiolitis/). Fever with a red, warm, painful area may need assessment for [Cellulitis](/conditions/cellulitis/).

Measure your temperature, note the time, and write down chills, pain, rash, cough, urinary changes, vomiting, or diarrhoea. Drink fluids in small, regular amounts and rest. Use fever medicine only as directed on its label or by a clinician; check first if the medicine is for a child or if you have a long-term condition.

Do not start leftover antibiotics or combine products that contain the same ingredient. Contact a clinician when the cause is unclear, symptoms are worsening, or fever returns after improvement.

Seek urgent care for breathing difficulty, collapse, confusion, seizure, severe dehydration, a stiff neck, or a rapidly spreading rash. Prompt assessment is also appropriate for fever in a very young infant, fever in someone with reduced immunity, or fever with severe localised pain. In a child, seek advice when the child is unusually sleepy, difficult to wake, or not drinking.

Ask which causes are most consistent with the timing and associated symptoms, whether an examination or test is needed, which medicines are safe, and what change should trigger urgent review. Mention recent travel, new medicines, sick contacts, and any long-term condition.