I love depictions of someone realizing they have a bit of temperature:
"I think you have a fever" - from someone else to the sickie. or... "I feel too warm" - from the sickie to another person.
But can we talk about all the other symptoms of someone developing a fever? Those little details make the reading experience so much better. It makes you feel pity for the poor sickie.
I'd love to see more of these golden nuggets:
Glossy eyes/eyes tearing up involuntarily.
Feeling heavy and sluggish all day/struggling with body weakness.
Eyes stinging from the heat, causing them to rub them.
Being told they look restless/tired more than once.
Flushed face AND ears, shoulders and neck are great too.
REDDEN LIPS! have you ever seen a cold person istg-
Dazed / distracted look, like they're thinking all the time.
Little groans / whimpers when moving because it hurts.
Eyes tearing up NOT involuntarily, they feel really bad.
Saying they don't feel hungry/thirsty but downing water like crazy.
Tender throats when drinking cold things, makes them wince.
Given the last two points, choking on water. Classic.
Slow reflexes, they are more clumsy than usual. Swaying on feet.
Stuffed-up headaches, lightheaded and/or having dizziness spells.
Passing out momentarily/knocked out cold. Womp Womp/aff.
Body sore and achy, from fever and constantly banging on stuff.
Nausea from the dizziness, it may or may not end of throwing up.
Tummy aches related to the cause of the fever! Those are good.
Seeking warmth because they feel "cold". They're burning up.
Additionally, someone notices how hot they are. "You're cold???"
Having fever dreams before/after noticing the fever. Daww...
And my personal favorite...
They try to carry on their activities as usual with two extra layers of clothes on them, and feeling off but blaming it on anything other than being sick, then feeling like absolute shit after they realize they are running a fever and, probably, are very sick too.
What's your favorite telltale symptoms from someone with fever?
