Pneumonia: (see p. 171)
Fast, shallow breathing.
Temperature rises quickly.
Cough with green, yellow, or
bloody mucus. May be pain in
chest. Person very ill.
Where There Is No Doctor 2011 27
PNEUMONIA — TYPICAL FEVER PATTERN
viral infection
Days of Illness
Rheumatic fever: (see p. 310)
Most common in children
and teenagers. Pain in
joints. High fever. Often
comes after a sore throat.
May be pain in the chest
with shortness of breath. Or
uncontrolled movements of
arms and legs.
RHEUMATIC FEVER-TYPICAL FEVER PATTERN
First: sudden fever
with sore throat
10 or 15 days later fever
begins — with joint pain
and other signs.
Days of Illness
Brucellosis (undulant fever,
Malta fever): (see p. 188)
BRUCELLOSIS —
Fever comes in waves. Rises in
TYPICAL FEVER PATTERN the afternoon and falls at night.
Begins slowly with
tiredness, headache,
and pains in the bones.
Fever and sweating most
common at night. Fever
disappears for a few days
only to come back again.
This may go on for months
or years.
Weeks of Illness
Childbirth fever: (see p. 276)
Begins a day or more after
giving birth. Starts with a slight
fever, which often rises later.
Foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
Pain and sometimes bleeding.
CHILBIRTH FEVER — TYPICAL FEVER PATTERN
person gets worse
and fever rises
usually begins with
low fever
Days following childbirth
All of these illnesses can be dangerous. In addition to those shown here, there
are many other diseases that may cause similar signs and fever. For example, fevers
that last for more than 1 month, or night sweats, may be caused by HIV infection
(see p. 399). When possible, seek medical help.