Fever: causes, symptoms, treatment, to prevention

Definition

What is fever?

Fever is a temporary increase in body temperature in response to illness or pain. According to Harvard Medical School, this condition is the body's most effective way of dealing with infection.

Our body temperature is not always the same throughout the day. On average, the body temperature is 37. However, it is usually higher in the afternoon or after eating or exercising.

If your body temperature is higher than 38 ℃, then you have a fever. This condition usually occurs in response to an infection such as a viral cold or bacterial strep throat, or inflammation that occurs due to injury or illness.

Brain damage due to this condition usually does not occur unless the body temperature reaches 42 ℃. The untreated condition caused by infection rarely reaches more than 40 ℃, unless you are over-dressed or in a hot place.

Seizures due to this condition do occur in some children. Most will end up quickly causing no permanent damage.

An unexplained fever that lasts for days or weeks is called fevers of undetermined origin (FUO) or fever for unspecified cause.

How common is this condition?

Fever in adults is common. This condition is considered an important part of the body's defense against infection. This condition is usually more common in women than men. Anyone can have a fever in their life.

However, when the temperature rises too high, it can be dangerous and cause serious illness. The condition in children needs to be taken seriously.

This condition can be managed by reducing risk factors. please discuss with your doctor for more information.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of fever?

You have a fever when your body temperature rises from normal. Based on the cause, common symptoms of this condition are:

• Feeling cold when other people don't feel cold
• Shivering
• Your skin feels hot to the touch
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Dehydration
• Depression
• Difficulty concentrating
• Drowsiness
• Sweating

Children between 6 months and 5 years of age may experience seizures. About a third of children who have had seizures will experience them again, most commonly within the next 12 months.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

A fever is usually not a sign of an emergency or requires you to call your doctor. However, there are several considerations that you need to think about before deciding to contact a doctor.

Baby

Unexplained fever causes more concern in babies than adults. Call the doctor if your baby has any of the following:

• Are younger than 3 months and have a body temperature of 38 ℃ as measured rectally.
• Are between 3 and 6 months old and have a body temperature of up to 38.9 ℃ measured rectally, are fussy, appear lethargic or uncomfortable.
• Age between 6 months to 24 months and has a body temperature higher than 38.9 ℃ which lasts more than one day without showing other symptoms.
• Your child shows other symptoms, such as flu, cough, diarrhea.

Children

Maybe you shouldn't worry when your child has a fever, but stay responsive, respond to your expressions and voice, and drink lots of water and still play.

Call the doctor immediately if your child experiences any of the following:

• Is lethargic or fussy, vomits repeatedly, has a severe headache or abdominal pain, or has other symptoms that cause severe discomfort.
• Fever after being left in a hot car. Get immediate medical attention.
• Fever for more than three days.
• Looks sluggish and unresponsive.

Ask your pediatrician about treatment in special circumstances, such as a child with an immune system problem or with a pre-existing illness.

Adults

You should call your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Fever more than 40 degrees and can not be treated with drugs on the market
• Fever that lasts for more than 48 to 72 hours
• The presence of a serious medical condition such as heart problems, diabetes, or cystic fibrosis
• Rash or bruise
• Other symptoms such as sore throat, headache, or cough

If you have any of the signs or symptoms listed above or have any questions, please consult your doctor.

Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Cause

What causes fever?

This condition occurs when an area in the brain called the hypothalamus shifts body temperature upward. When this happens, you may feel cold and add layers to your clothes or wrap yourself under a blanket. This results in a high body temperature.

Fever is a common body reaction to infection or disease. Fever is usually caused by:

• Infections such as flu, sore throat, chicken pox or pneumonia
• Infection of the bones (osteomyelitis), appendicitis, skin infection or cellulitis, and meningitis
• Side effects of some drugs
• Excessive sun exposure
• Heat stroke
• Rheumatoid disease, a chronic disease that causes swelling and pain in the joints, tissues around the joints and other organs in the human body
• Food poisoning
• Hormonal disorders such as an overactive thyroid disease
• Teething in babies and young children.

Fever can also be an early symptom of cancer. This is especially true of Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and leukemia.

Another cause

There are several other causes that may cause body temperature to rise, namely:

• Menstrual cycle in women. In the second stage of her cycle, a woman's body temperature can rise 1 degree or more.
• Physical activity, strong emotions, food, heavy clothing, too high room temperature and high humidity can also increase body temperature.

What increases my risk of getting a fever?

There are many risk factors for fever, such as:

Age

Children are more at risk of developing fevers because their immune systems are weak. Typically, preschool and elementary school children can have 10 colds per year with the most common symptom being an elevated body temperature.

Contact

Contact with someone who is sick will increase your risk of getting an infection and fever. Doctors always recommend keeping a distance from people affected by this condition so that you do not catch it.

Do not come into direct contact with people with this condition as it increases your risk of developing the condition. In some cases, people will get even worse after coming into contact with an infected person.

Food and water

Contaminated water and unsanitary food can increase the risk of infection and fever. If you catch fever easily when you visit a new place, it may be because your body is not strong enough to adapt to changes.

You should bring your own food and drinks to prevent unhealthy food from outside the home. This can cause health complications in your body.

Weak immune system

People with weakened immune systems (weakened by medications or illnesses, such as HIV / AIDS) have a high risk of infection and fever.

If you are prone to fever and experience changes in body temperature during the changing seasons, you may have a weakened immune system.

If you have this, you have to be extra careful about your health. Eat foods that increase immunity, such as dried fruits, nuts, and seeds.

Complications

What complications might occur with this condition?

Children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years may have a fever followed by loss of consciousness and seizures on both sides of the body.

Despite the worry to parents, most febrile seizures do not last long. If your child has a seizure, do this:

• Lay your child on their side or stomach on the floor.
• Remove any sharp objects near your child.
• Loosen tight clothes.
• Protect your child from injury.
• Don't put anything in your child's mouth or take any other means to stop the seizures.

Most seizures stop on their own. Take your child to the doctor immediately after a seizure is suspected to be the cause of fever.

Contact the medical team if the seizure lasts longer than five minutes.

Diagnosis

How is fever diagnosed?

Diagnosing this condition is quite easy, the patient's temperature is measured by a thermometer. A person has a fever if:

• The temperature in the mouth is over 37.7 ℃
• The temperature in the rectum (anus) is more than 37.5 - 38 ℃
• The temperature under the arm or inside the ear is more than 37.2 ℃

Be sure to take someone's temperature while they are resting, as physical activity can also warm the body.

To help determine the cause behind your condition, your doctor will ask the following questions:

• Other symptoms include coughing, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or pain when urinating
• Recent surgery or injury
• Current vaccinations
• Medicines you recently took
• Recent trips, especially trips abroad.

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor for more information.

How is fever treated?

Treatment for fever can vary depending on the cause. The following are medicines to treat this condition:

Treatment in infants

Infants younger than 28 days may need to be taken to the hospital for examination and treatment. In infants this age, fever could be an indication of a serious infection requiring intravenous (IV) treatment and monitoring around the clock.

Treatment for children and adults

• For a fever caused by a bacterial infection, such as strep throat, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
• For a fever caused by a viral infection, such as the flu, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Tylenol (Paracetamol) or naproxen (Aleve), can help relieve some of your uncomfortable symptoms.

When you have a fever, you tend to sweat more. Therefore, fluid intake is very important to prevent dehydration.

Although the drugs on the market are very common and useful, they have no effect in treating diseases caused by hot weather or extreme sports.

If you experience heat stroke (Excessive heat stroke due to sunlight), check with a doctor immediately.

Children and adolescents should not use aspirin because overuse of aspirin is linked to Reye's syndrome.

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can help me manage fever?

There are many simple things you can do to treat this condition, namely:

• Do not wrap a cold person in a blanket
• Get rid of extra clothes or blankets. Create a comfortable room atmosphere, not too hot or cold. Put on one layer of clothing and one layer of blankets for sleeping.
• A warm bath can help with someone who has a fever. This method is effective after the drug is given.
• Do not take cold showers or packs ice or alcohol. This can cool the skin, but often makes things worse.
• Everyone, especially children, should drink plenty of fluids. Water, soup, and gelatin are all good choices.
• Don't give too much fruit juice to young children.
• Although eating is a good thing, don't consume too many servings.

Prevention

How can I prevent this condition for me and my child?

You may be able to prevent fever by reducing your risk of infectious diseases. The following methods may help:

• Wash your hands frequently and teach your child to do the same, especially before and after eating, as well as before and after urinating or defecating.
• Show your child how to wash hands properly.
• Always carry it hand sanitizer to clean your hands when soap is not available.
• Avoid touching your life, mouth and eyes as this is where viruses and bacteria can enter your body and expose you to infection.
• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Teach your children to do the same. If possible, look away from people who are coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid sharing cups, bottles, or other utensils with your child.

If you have any questions, please consult your doctor to better understand the best solution for you.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.