Joyce Layne is a 17-year old high school student in her senior year. She is an honors student, works hard to get good grades, and hates to miss school. For the past 3 days, she has not been feeling well. This morning her temperature is 39 C (102.2 F), and she has chills and a headache. Several of her friends at school have the flu. She has taken ibuprofen for fevers and menstrual cramps in the past, but Joyce cannot find any in the house as she prepares to leave for school. Her parents have already left for work, and they trust her to check with you, the nurse who lives next door, before taking any medications. Joyce calls you to ask “Is it okay to take the aspirin that my mom uses for her arthritis so I can go to school?” As a nurse, this presents an opportunity for you to teach Joyce about aspirin and her fever.
This activity contains 5 questions:
Describe the pathophysiology of fever and inflammation.
Why is aspirin administered for fever?
Should Joyce take the aspirin? Why or why not?
What will you teach Joyce about aspirin and the flulike symptoms she is having? What additional patient teaching will she need?
Fever is a natural response by our body to fight infection. When we are sick, our body’s temperature rises to make us uncomfortable and kill or suppress the growth of bacteria and viruses causing illness (MedlinePlus, 2020). This inflammatory response helps activate our immune system to fight the infection. However, a high fever over 102 F can become dangerous and dehydrating.
Aspirin should generally be avoided for fever reduction in viral illnesses like the flu, as it is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can potentially make viral infections worse through suppressing the inflammatory response (CDC, 2019). While safe for most adults in limited doses, aspirin use has been linked to Reye’s syndrome in children recovering from viral illnesses. Reye’s syndrome is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition that affects the brain and liver (Mayo Clinic, 2022).
Given your current symptoms of high fever, chills and headache during this time of seasonal flu outbreak among your peers, it seems likely you have contracted the influenza virus. As an honors student concerned with your health and academics, taking an NSAID like aspirin could put your recovery and wellbeing at risk. The safest approach is to rest at home, stay hydrated, and allow your body to fight the infection naturally. I would not recommend taking the aspirin from your mother’s cabinet.
Some additional guidance – monitor your temperature and symptoms. Call your doctor right away if your fever rises above 103 F, if you experience confusion or difficulty breathing. Over-the-counter fever reducers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be used sparingly to relieve discomfort, but avoid suppressing your fever completely as it plays an important role in your immune response. Get plenty of rest and fluids. Seek medical care if your symptoms worsen or fail to improve within a few days. With time and self-care, your body will overcome this illness. Please let me know if you need anything else. Feel better soon!
CDC. (2019, February 15). Reye Syndrome. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/features/reysyndrome/index.html
Mayo Clinic. (2022, March 18). Reye syndrome. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/reyes-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20376761
MedlinePlus. (2020, December 4). Fever. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/fever.html
