General Medicine · Fever AssessmentFever in Lagos?
Fever in Lagos?
Find the Cause. Treat It Correctly.
Fever is a symptom: not a disease. In Lagos, fever has many causes and the correct treatment depends entirely on which one is responsible. At Mascot Healthcare, Akoka, we assess, test, and treat fever systematically, not empirically. See prices.
Malaria RDT same dayTyphoid Widal testFBC + urine testWalk-in · Akoka, Lagos
Common causes
Causes of Fever in Lagos Adults
| Cause | Fever pattern | Key distinguishing features | Test |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malaria | Cyclical: spikes and drops | Chills, rigors, sweating, headache | Malaria RDT / blood film |
| Typhoid | Gradually rising, sustained | Abdominal pain, constipation, relative bradycardia | Widal test / blood culture |
| Urinary tract infection | Variable | Burning urination, frequency, loin pain if pyelonephritis | Urine dipstick + culture |
| Bacterial tonsillitis / pharyngitis | Acute onset | Severe sore throat, exudate on tonsils, cervical lymph nodes | Clinical diagnosis ± throat swab |
| Pneumonia | Sustained high fever | Cough, chest pain, breathlessness, dullness on chest exam | Chest X-ray + FBC |
| Dengue fever | Biphasic: "saddleback" | Severe headache, retro-orbital pain, bone/joint pain, rash | Dengue NS1 antigen test |
| COVID-19 / viral | Variable | Cough, loss of taste/smell, fatigue | COVID rapid antigen test |
⚠️ Seek urgent care if fever: Is above 40°C; is in an infant under 3 months; is accompanied by neck stiffness, rash, confusion, difficulty breathing, or inability to walk. These may indicate meningitis, severe malaria, or sepsis.
Questions
Fever FAQs
Should I take paracetamol for fever before coming to the clinic?
Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is safe to take for fever before visiting. It reduces discomfort without affecting most diagnostic tests. However, do not take it to see if the fever 'clears', a fever that responds to paracetamol then returns is still a fever requiring investigation.
I've been taking antibiotics for a week but still have a fever. What should I do?
Persistent fever on antibiotics may indicate: wrong diagnosis, wrong antibiotic for the organism, antibiotic resistance, an undrained abscess, or a non-bacterial cause being treated with antibiotics (e.g. viral fever or malaria). Come in for reassessment, a repeat blood test and culture will guide what to do next.
Our Approach at Mascot Healthcare
Every patient who walks into Mascot Healthcare, Akoka receives a proper clinical assessment, not a guess and a prescription. We use evidence-based guidelines, up-to-date knowledge of Lagos-specific disease patterns, and appropriate investigations to ensure correct diagnosis and targeted treatment.
- Full clinical history and examination
- Appropriate investigations: blood tests, urine tests, swabs, or scans as indicated
- Evidence-based treatment prescribed same visit
- Follow-up plan and red flag advice
- Specialist referral with written summary when needed
Get Your Fever Properly Investigated Today.
Same-day fever assessment at Mascot Healthcare, Akoka. Consultations by appointment, see prices.
Related pages
Last updated 16 October 2026.