Originally Posted by
RichardKenner
Precisely! A high fever usually (but not always!) indicates an infection. Depending on where that infection is and the immune status of the person, the infection may or may not be communicable. For example, somebody who's immune-compromised (e.g., an AIDS patient) can get a very high fever from an infection with an organism that wouldn't make a person with a normal immune system ill.
There's a thread in OMNI about a FT'er that came down with Hand, Foot and Mouth disease. Not common in adults, but very common in children and it is a very, very uncomfortable illness to have. Unfortunately it is also fairly easy to spread. First symptoms? Flu-like symptoms, fever.
You can't presume a fever is always a sign of a non-communicable infection. Therefore when running a fever, presume that you have a communicable disease.
Why is that so hard to understand?