Stomach ache and fever: what to know

Fever means the body is responding to a problem, often an infection. Abdominal pain may occur with a stomach or bowel infection, or alongside a wider illness such as COVID-19 or influenza. Skin infection, respiratory illness, or conditions such as brucellosis can also produce fever with discomfort elsewhere. Pain location, vomiting, diarrhoea, cough, rash, urinary symptoms, and recent travel help a clinician narrow the cause.

Rest and take frequent sips of fluid. Choose light meals if you can eat, and record the temperature, pain location, and associated symptoms. Use a fever medicine only as directed on its label and check with a pharmacist if you have liver disease, take other medicines, or are caring for a child. Avoid self-starting antibiotics, because they do not treat every cause.

Get urgent help for severe or localised pain, a rigid or swollen abdomen, repeated vomiting, blood in stool or vomit, fainting, confusion, breathing difficulty, or inability to keep fluids down. A baby, older adult, pregnant person, or someone with a weakened immune system should receive advice sooner. Seek assessment when fever persists, returns, or the pain is getting worse.

Ask what pattern of symptoms points to infection, whether you need urine or blood testing, and which warning signs should prompt emergency care. Mention travel, sick contacts, new foods, and recent medicines.