A fever can be caused by:

• Sickness — for example, flu or malaria
• An infection of part of the body — like a bladder infection, or an infection of the uterus
• A mild fever can also be caused by dehydration (loss of body fluids due to not drinking enough water).

A high fever needs to be lowered right away. To lower a fever:

• Give 500 to 1,000 mg (milligrams) paracetamol by mouth every four to six hours
• Have her drink one cup of fluid every hour
• Wash her body with a cloth dipped in cool water.