Fever, i.e. body temperature ≥37.3℃, is one of the main manifestations of the new type of pneumonia, and patients may be accompanied by fatigue, dry cough and other phenomena, while patients with severe and critical type of the new type of pneumonia may have a low to medium level of fever, or even no obvious fever. Patients with fever may not necessarily be due to the new type of pneumonia, and should be observed or seek medical attention in light of the specific situation. Fever ≠ new type of pneumonia If the individual does not have underlying diseases of the respiratory system and cardiovascular system; has not traveled to Hubei or come into contact with friends in Hubei within 14 days; and has not experienced significant shortness of breath. The presence of fever and dry cough only can be observed first. Individuals may consider taking temperature in the morning and evening, resting adequately, drinking plenty of water, and taking medication as prescribed by the doctor if necessary. If the temperature returns to normal and the dry cough and fatigue resolve, there is no need to worry too much. However, if the individual has not traveled to Hubei or come into contact with friends in Hubei within 14 days, and the symptoms do not improve or worsen after 1-2 days of observation, timely medical attention should be considered. (Doctors fight the new pneumonia with all their might.) What are the conditions that need to be fulfilled to confirm the diagnosis of a suspected case? After the individual seeks medical attention, it is necessary to combine the epidemiological history with the clinical manifestations for a comprehensive analysis: (1) within 14 days before the onset of the disease of the individual, there is a history of traveling to or living in Wuhan or other areas where there is a sustained spread of the local cases; (2) within 14 days before the onset of the disease of the individual, he or she had contact with feverish people from Wuhan or other areas where there is a sustained spread of the local cases. (2) Within 14 days before the onset of the disease, the individual has been in contact with patients with fever or respiratory symptoms from Wuhan or other areas with persistent transmission of local cases; (3) There is a clustering of illnesses in the patient’s residence or new types of pneumonia patients. Clinical manifestations are as follows: (1) fever is present after temperature measurement; (2) on imaging, the individual’s lungs show multiple small patchy shadows and interstitial changes in the early stages, which then develop into multiple ground-glass shadows, infiltrate shadows in both lungs, and even solid lung changes in severe cases; (3) blood tests show that the total number of leukocytes in the early stages of the disease is normal or decreased, or the lymphocyte count is decreased. A suspected case is identified when an individual meets any one of the epidemiologic histories and any two of the clinical manifestations. How the diagnosis of novel pneumonia is confirmed The diagnosis is confirmed when a suspected case meets any of the following: 1. A respiratory specimen or blood specimen is positive for nucleic acid of the novel coronavirus by real-time fluorescent RT-PCR; 2. The viral gene sequencing of the respiratory specimen or blood specimen is highly homologous to the known novel coronavirus. Therefore, when a febrile situation occurs, individuals need to take countermeasures in conjunction with their own situation. The diagnosis of novel pneumonia requires a variety of tests from fever to diagnosis, and it is not meaningful to refer to body temperature alone. Individuals with mild symptoms can be observed first to prevent unnecessary infections during sensitive periods at the fever clinic. Source: Dr. Yurai Reference: Office of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the General Office of the National Health Commission Pneumonia Diagnosis and Treatment Program for New Coronavirus Infections (Trial Implementation of the Fourth Edition).