Valley Fever, Hay Fever, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Scarlet Fever, Yellow Fever, Rheumatic Fever, Cat Scratch Fever. Fevers are here, there and everywhere. Elvis Presley said it best: "Lord almighty I feel my temperature rising." The presence of a fever is one of the first things we try to ascertain when someone is ill. The patient's temperature is one of the four basic "vital signs" with pulse, respirations and blood pressure following close behind. The thing that makes a person's temperature vital is that the body's homeostasis, or ability to maintain all functions optimally, depends upon a certain range of heat. Most everyone can recite that the average body core temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit with a healthy range being anywhere from 97 to 99 degrees. Temperatures that vary below or above this average create an internal atmosphere that is not conducive to the various systems' functioning. The term "fever" generally refers to anything over 99 degrees. In order to maintain the healthful range, the body has a regulating system that kicks in much like any thermostat. If the core temperature starts to rise, we begin a cooling mechanism through sweating. If the core temperature starts to decrease, shivering will initiate warming through muscle contractions. All fevers, however, are not bad. Many conditions will have a mild accompanying fever that does not need to be of concern, nor need to be treated. Oftentimes, a fever is a positive indication that the immune system is mounting a defense against infections (in other words, deliberately making an inhospitable environment for the invading microorganisms). Just think how uncomfortable you are when outside on a hot Arizona summer day. Some germs don't enjoy a very hot environment either. Granted, fevers greater than 104 degrees will grab a health professional's attention quicker than a fever of 102 degrees, but too often patients are afraid to admit that there has not been a fever or that the fever was only for a day or two. When we ask a patient if there is a fever we are not using that piece of information to determine the severity of the illness. What we are really trying to ascertain is if the fever occurred at the onset of the illness or later after a few days of illness, if the fever oscillates, waxes and wanes or spikes repeatedly. The cause of any fever and the timing of the fever are more important sometimes than the height of the fever. When we recommend acetaminophen or ibuprofen for adults or children the goal is simply to reduce the discomfort of fever. Remember: no child under the age of 15-16 should be given aspirin for a fever - a topic for a whole other article. Cool compresses, light clothing and bedding will also be comforting and, of course, drinking plenty of fluids. When to seek medical help? Certainly if there is accompanying delirium, major stiff neck or headache or persistent vomiting or diarrhea. Other situations that warrant medical help include fevers in infants, and in otherwise compromised adults or fevers lasting more than three days. As with any situation involving your health and well being, if you're not sure, just call and ask. --Agnes Oblas is a nurse practitioner with a private practice and residence in Ahwatukee Foothills. For questions, or if there is a topic you would like her to address, call her at (602) 405-6320 or e-mail her at agirnnp@cox.net. Her Web site is www.newpathshealth.com.

Arizona lawyers can legally help those who want to help the rest of us get high legally.

Arizona lawyers can legally help those who want to help the rest of us get high legally.

With summer temperatures steadily rising above 100 degrees, pregnant women should take special care to stay cool, comfortable and safe. Maintaining good hydration while pregnant is extremely important, and even more so during the summer when our bodies can become dehydrated. Expectant mothers should drink at least eight 12-ounce glasses of water daily, and avoid consuming sugary or caffeinated beverages.

With summer temperatures steadily rising above 100 degrees, pregnant women should take special care to stay cool, comfortable and safe. Maintaining good hydration while pregnant is extremely important, and even more so during the summer when our bodies can become dehydrated. Expectant mothers should drink at least eight 12-ounce glasses of water daily, and avoid consuming sugary or caffeinated beverages.

The Sun City Visitors Center’s Heart Health Expo Wednesday morning drew a crowd to the Sundial Recreation Center in celebration of February’s American Heart Month. Sun Citians Mary and Floyd Young enjoyed walking through the booths to check out products they see in advertisements and to see what’s new.

The first question an orthopedic specialist often hears from a new patient is, “What do the X-rays show?” What the doctor wants to know is, “What happened that compelled you to seek help?”

Among the leading health issues, most people automatically think of breast cancer as the No. 1 killer for women.

The Sun City Visitors Center’s Heart Health Expo Wednesday morning drew a crowd to the Sundial Recreation Center in celebration of February’s American Heart Month. Sun Citians Mary and Floyd Young enjoyed walking through the booths to check out products they see in advertisements and to see what’s new.

Insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes and obesity (diabesity) are global epidemics that continue to rise and come with major health consequences. Type 2 diabetes is commonly associated with poor diet and inactivity. However, there is now evidence of autoimmunity in Type 2 diabetes.

An attorney who represents some would-be marijuana dispensaries is taking the first steps he believes will convince a state judge to force Department of Health Services to issue the necessary permits.

Arizonans who act quickly can be among the first to qualify to buy, possess and use marijuana, which voters legalized for medical use last November.

Arizonans who act quickly can be among the first to qualify to buy, possess and use marijuana, which voters legalized for medical use last November.

A federal judge chided Attorney General Tom Horne Monday, saying he was asking her to do his job: advising state agencies on the law.

Patients, doctors and dispensaries seeking legal help navigating the state’s new medical marijuana law could find themselves up the creek without a lawyer.

A new memo from a top Department of Justice official could undermine the chances of ever setting up a system of medical marijuana growers and dispensaries in Arizona.

The top federal prosecutor in Arizona said Gov. Jan Brewer and Attorney General Tom Horne are distorting the facts on the issue of medical marijuana and risks of federal prosecution.

The top federal prosecutor in Arizona said Gov. Jan Brewer and Attorney General Tom Horne are distorting the facts on the issue of medical marijuana and risks of federal prosecution.

The chief federal prosecutor in Arizona warned patients, dispensary operators and cultivators of medical marijuana Monday they still could wind up behind bars.

The chief federal prosecutor in Arizona warned patients, dispensary operators and cultivators of medical marijuana Monday they still could wind up behind bars.

Patients, doctors and dispensaries seeking legal help navigating the state’s new medical marijuana law could find themselves up the creek without a lawyer.