Doctor, I am having fever since 3 days. I am feeling very weak.

Most such fevers are viral. But it is something else?

Do you have colds & cough?

“No, doctor” (The CCF of General Practice = cold, cough, Fever).

Do you have throat pain, pain during swallowing?

“No”

Using a powerful torch, inspect the tongue, tonsils & throat. Look for cervical lymph nodes.

Inscpect the sclera for icterus.

How is your apetite?

How is the urine colour?

Do you have headache?

“Yes”

Do you have vomiting or drowsiness?

“No”.

(headache + Fever = Test for Neck stiffness, to rule out Meningitis. Especially, if there is drowsiness, altered behavior or vomiting)

Now make the patient lie down and Palpate for liver & spleen.

To detect enteric fever (soft Liver) & malaria (spleen).

Auscultate the chest for Rales and murmurs.

Do you have joint pain or swelling?

If yes, is it fleeting (Rheumatic)?

Auscultate carefully for murmurs & tachycardia.

Do you have dysuria?

“No”