Infections and fever: what to do and when to get help
A fever is a sign that the body is fighting an infection, not an illness of its own. Most colds and flu get better at home with rest and fluids, but some infections need a test or treatment quickly.
In the rainy season, watch for dengue, and see a health worker early if you get a fever after wading through flood water. A cough that lasts 2 weeks or more needs a check for TB: the test and the medicines are free at government health centres.
Go to the emergency room straight away for trouble breathing, a stiff neck, confusion, bleeding or signs of dehydration. For everything else, start at your barangay health station, rural health unit or YAKAP clinic, where consultations are free. The guides below explain the signs, home care and where to go, one illness at a time.
12 guidesUpdated November 1, 2026
In an emergency, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911. Call 911
Symptoms and conditions
Chickenpox (bulutong-tubig): symptoms, home care and when to worry
Chickenpox, or bulutong-tubig, is a very contagious virus that causes an itchy rash of spots that turn into blisters and then scabs. Most children get better at home in 1 to 2 weeks with fluids, paracetamol and cool baths. Never give aspirin, and avoid ibuprofen. Stay home until every spot has scabbed. Adults, pregnant women, newborns and people with a weak immune system can get very sick and should see a doctor the same day. Two doses of the vaccine prevent most cases.
Dengue symptoms and warning signs: when to go to the hospital
Dengue is a virus spread by Aedes mosquitoes. It usually starts with a sudden high fever, headache, pain behind the eyes and body pains. Most people get better in about a week. Some get severe dengue, often in the day or two after the fever goes down. Watch for warning signs such as belly pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding or extreme tiredness, and go to a hospital at once if they appear. An NS1 blood test in the first days of illness can help confirm dengue early.
HIV symptoms and free, confidential testing in the Philippines
HIV symptoms are easy to miss. Some people get a flu-like illness 2 to 6 weeks after infection, but many feel well for years, so only a test can tell. HIV testing is confidential, often free at government and community sites, and allowed from age 15 without parental consent. If you had a possible exposure in the last 72 hours, go now and ask for PEP. Daily treatment (ART) at a treatment hub lets people with HIV live long, healthy lives, and PhilHealth's OHAT package helps pay for it.
UTI symptoms: burning when you pee and when to see a doctor
A urinary tract infection (UTI) happens when bacteria get into the bladder or the tubes that carry urine. Common UTI symptoms are burning or pain when you pee, needing to pee often, and cloudy or bloody urine. Fever, chills and pain in the back or side can mean the infection has reached the kidneys, which needs a doctor quickly. A urine test confirms a UTI, and antibiotics need a doctor's prescription.
TB symptoms: a long cough, free TB tests and treatment
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection caused by a germ that usually attacks the lungs and spreads through the air. Common TB symptoms are a cough that lasts 2 weeks or more, fever, night sweats, weight loss and tiredness. In the Philippines, TB tests and medicines are free at government health centers and TB-DOTS centers. TB can be cured with daily medicines taken for several months, as long as you finish the whole treatment.
Leptospirosis symptoms after flood water: signs and care
Leptospirosis, or lepto, is an infection you can get when flood water or mud with rat or other animal urine touches a wound, your eyes, nose or mouth. Leptospirosis symptoms usually start 5 to 14 days later, with fever, muscle pain (often in the calves) and red eyes. If you waded in a flood, see a health worker as soon as you can, within 24 to 72 hours, to ask about preventive medicine. Yellow eyes, little urine, coughing blood or trouble breathing mean go to a hospital now.
Sore eyes (conjunctivitis): home care and when to see a doctor
Sore eyes is what most Filipinos call conjunctivitis, or pink eye: redness and swelling of the thin layer over the white of the eye. It is usually caused by a virus, and most cases get better on their own in 1 to 2 weeks. Cool compresses and artificial tears ease the discomfort. Sore eyes from germs spreads easily by hands and shared towels. Never use steroid eye drops without a doctor, and get help fast for eye pain, changes in sight, a chemical splash or a newborn with red, sticky eyes.
Flu symptoms (trangkaso): home care and when to worry
Flu, or trangkaso, is a virus infection of the nose, throat and lungs. Flu symptoms come on suddenly: fever, chills, a dry cough, sore throat, headache, body aches and deep tiredness. Most people get better at home in about a week with rest, fluids and paracetamol as the label says. Antibiotics don't help. In the Philippines, a fever like this can also be dengue. Young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with long-term illness should see a doctor early.
Fever in babies and children: what temperature is too high and what to do
A fever is a temperature of 38°C or higher. In children it is usually caused by a common infection and gets better within a few days. Baby fever needs extra care: a baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C or higher needs a doctor straight away. For any child, how they look and act matters more than the number on the thermometer. In the Philippines, a fever lasting 2 days, especially in the rainy season, also needs a check for dengue.
Common cold (sipon): home remedies that work and what does not
The common cold, or sipon, is a mild virus infection of the nose and throat. Most people feel better in about a week, though a runny nose and cough can last 2 weeks or longer. Rest, fluids, warm drinks, steam and salt water for the nose help you feel better. Antibiotics do not work against colds. Get help quickly if breathing becomes hard or fast, or if a child cannot drink.
Fever (lagnat) in adults: home care, paracetamol and warning signs
A fever is a body temperature of 38°C or higher. Normal body temperature is about 37°C and changes during the day. Most fevers come from infections such as colds or flu and get better in a few days with rest, plenty of fluids and paracetamol taken as the label says. In the Philippines, a fever that lasts 2 days or more, or follows wading in flood water, needs a check for dengue, leptospirosis or typhoid. Confusion, trouble breathing or bleeding means go to the hospital now.
Prevention and vaccines
Anti rabies vaccine: schedule, cost and free animal bite centers
The anti rabies vaccine protects you after a bite, scratch or lick from an animal that may have rabies. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms start, but the vaccine works very well when you get it early and finish every visit. Wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes, then go to an animal bite treatment center the same day. Government centers give the vaccine free when they have stock, and PhilHealth's animal bite package helps pay for serious bites.
Common questions
Each answer is in the guide it links to.
Questions about your own situation?
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