Congo fever

Fever is the body’s raised-temperature response to infection or inflammation. A label such as Congo fever does not by itself identify the germ or predict severity. A clinician may ask about recent travel, insect or animal contact, sick contacts, food and water, medicines, and other symptoms. Cough, rash, breathing problems, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, or unusual sleepiness can point toward different causes, including common infections such as a cold, COVID-19, or bronchitis.

Rest, drink fluids as tolerated, and check your temperature with a reliable thermometer if you feel unwell. Wear light clothing and avoid strenuous activity while feverish. Use fever medicine only as directed on its label or by a clinician, considering allergies, pregnancy, liver disease, kidney disease, and other medicines. Avoid close contact with people who are vulnerable until the cause is clearer, and tell a clinician about relevant travel or animal exposure.

Seek urgent help for trouble breathing, severe headache with a stiff neck, confusion, fainting, a seizure, a rapidly spreading rash, persistent vomiting, signs of dehydration, or a markedly worsening condition. Babies, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with a weakened immune system should seek advice sooner when fever develops.

Tell the clinician when the fever began, how it was measured, and whether you have travelled or had animal, insect, food, or sick-contact exposure. Ask which tests are needed, how to reduce transmission, and what specific warning signs should trigger urgent review.