General Physician
Fever, Cough, or Fatigue? When to Visit Your General Physician
4 min read
By Docgenie , Published on - 20 August 2025Why Am I Feeling Unwell? Understanding Your Body’s Signals
Almost everyone gets a mild fever, a nagging cough, or feels worn out at some point.Most of the time, it’s nothing serious and gets better with rest, fluids, and some tender loving care.But how do you know when it’s more than just tiredness or a seasonal bug? Here’s a simple guide to help you decide when it’s okay to wait — and when you should talk to your doctor.
Fever — When to Relax and When to Take Action
What is fever?
Fever is your body’s way of fighting off an infection. If your temperature goes above 100.4°F (38°C), that’s considered a fever.When is it okay to wait?
- If your fever is mild and you’re otherwise healthy.
- If you feel okay apart from the temperature and there’s no confusion, rash, or trouble breathing.
- If you start feeling better within 3 days.
Time to see a doctor if:
- Fever lasts more than 3 days, is very high (over 103°F), or keeps coming back.
- You feel confused, drowsy, develop a stiff neck, or breathing gets hard.
- You have other health problems (like diabetes, heart trouble, a weak immune system).
Common causes:
Flu, COVID-19, Dengue, Malaria, stomach bugs, Urinary Tract Infection — most fevers come from these.Cough — More Than Just a Nuisance?
Most coughs are harmless
Most of us cough when we have a cold, allergies, or after breathing dry air. These coughs often clear up within a couple of weeks.But see your doctor if:
- Cough lasts more than 2 weeks.
- You cough up blood, feel short of breath, or have severe chest pain.
- It keeps you awake at night or stops you doing normal activities.
- You have long-standing lung or heart problems.
Possible causes:
Viral infection, allergies, asthma, acid reflux, bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and rarely, heart problems.Fatigue — Just Tired or Something More?
Feeling tired is normal
Most people feel worn out after a stressful week, late nights, or busy routines.Worrying signs:
- Fatigue that doesn’t improve after rest, lasts more than 2 weeks, or stops you from doing normal things.
- You’re also losing weight, your appetite drops, sweating a lot at night, or feeling dizzy.
- You feel low, anxious, or not like yourself.
What could it mean?
Infections, anemia (low iron), thyroid issues, diabetes, stress, poor sleep or even heart/kidney problems.This blog will help you: Upper respiratory infection: Symptoms, treatment, and causes
Self-Care at Home: Easy& Safe Tips
- Rest as much as possible — don’t “push through” severe symptoms.
- Hydrate — drink water, soup, or rehydration fluids, especially if you have fever.
- Eat Light— go for simple foods that are easy to digest.
- Paracetamol (Crocin, Dolo) is usually safe for fever and mild aches (as directed by your doctor).
- Make a simple symptom diary: note when fever or cough started, temperature readings, and any other changes each day.
- Don’t start antibiotics on your own — most coughs and fevers are from viruses and don’t need them.
Red Flags: Know When to Seek Quick Help
Some symptoms mean you should head to the hospital or call for urgent medical advice right away:- Trouble breathing, severe chest pain, lips turning blue.
- Very high fever with a rash, fits (seizures), or confusion.
- Vomiting everything and can’t keep food or water down.
- Children who are very sleepy, not feeding, or crying constantly and can’t be consoled.
When You Visit or Consult Online with a Doctor
Whether you come to the clinic or book an appointment through DocGenie, your doctor is there to:- Ask detailed questions about your symptoms, health history, recent travels, and more.
- Do a simple check-up and suggest tests only if needed.
- Explain everything in simple, clear language.
- Work with you on a plan — from treatment to follow-ups.
With DocGenie, you can:
- Get answers from a real, experienced doctor (like myself!) from your own home.
- Share your reports and history easily and securely.
- Receive follow-up reminders and advice in simple language.
Why Choose Dr. Rashmi Gupta Bajpai on DocGenie?
- Friendly, expert care without medical jargon.
- Easy booking and follow-up from your phone or computer.
- Safe, private consultations and a doctor who truly cares.
- Help at all stages — whether it’s just advice or ongoing care.
Your health questions matter.
If you’re worried or just need friendly, expert advice, book your consultation today on DocGenie. My goal is to make sure you understand what’s going on with your health and feel clear and confident about what to do next..
Listening to your body — and to your doctor — is the smartest way to stay healthy. We’re here for you and your family, every day.
Author Details
Dr Rashmi Gupta Bajpai
MBBS Govt Medical College, Trivandrum
MD (Medicine) Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Punjab
Fellowship in Cardiology ( Non-Invasive) Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka
24+ years of experience
Between 9am to 8pm
Whatsapp Message at
support@docgenie.in
