Dorothy FarrarFever
Fever is a state of elevated body temperature. A rectally measured temperature of up to 38 degrees is referred to as elevated temperature, up to 39 degrees Celsius is defined as moderate fever and a body temperature of over 39 degrees is referred to as high fever.
What is fever
The normal human body temperature is between 36 and 37 degrees Celsius. The organism strives to maintain this temperature under the most diverse external conditions, in summer and in winter. This is very important because under these conditions all biological and chemical processes in the cells of our body run optimally.
It should be mentioned that the temperature measured rectally is about 0.4 degrees higher than that measured under the armpit and thus the rectal measurement provides the more exact value in the case of fever. Common colds like the flu are often accompanied by an elevated body temperature or fever.
causes
Occasionally it can happen that pathogens such as viruses or bacteria penetrate the human body and the immune system is required to destroy them. For this purpose, the organism itself raises the body temperature – you get a fever. The fever is therefore not an illness, but just a reaction of the body to create better conditions for the defense against pathogens.
The biochemical processes that are necessary for defense can run faster as a result of the fever. This also means that all other processes have to take a back seat. That’s why you have no appetite, you’re exhausted and tired, because all your strength is concentrated on the immune system. This also means that a fever is a sign of an infection and the organism has initiated a defense.
When to the doctor?
Fever should be clarified by a doctor if it lasts longer than 48 hours and side effects such as diarrhea, purulent sputum or headaches occur. If the fever rises above 38.5°C, this is also a warning sign. There may be a bacterial infection that needs to be treated with antibiotics.
Fever as a result of a trip to the tropics can indicate a bacterial viral disease, which must be treated by a specialist in any case. The general rule is: Fever, the cause of which is unknown or which is accompanied by unusual or particularly intense side effects, requires a medical evaluation.
In the case of previous illnesses of the immune system or the cardiovascular system, the emergency services should be alerted due to the possible complications. The same applies if the patient is a child or an elderly person. In both cases, even a slightly elevated fever can lead to circulatory collapse and other complications. Fever associated with a cold or flu does not require medical evaluation, but it must be checked regularly.
↳ Further information: Home remedies for fever
diagnosis and course
Fever is usually a symptom of a bacterial or viral infection. The doctor can make a diagnosis based on the accompanying symptoms, such as coughing , sore throat or headache , diarrhea , vomiting or earache and the course of the fever. However, fever can also accompany non-infectious diseases, such as inflammation , heat strokeor be poisoned. The doctor asks the patient about possible previous illnesses, stays abroad, contact with those who are also affected and general habits. A thorough physical examination is then carried out by the doctor. A blood count as well as a urine and/or stool test can be used as a further examination method. Imaging methods ( X-rays , ultrasound ) can also be used for more precise diagnostics.
complications
Fever usually occurs as part of an infectious disease and actually helps to fight it, but exceeding a certain temperature can also cause dangerous complications. Usually fever comes for one to three days and then disappears without leaving any consequences. However, with some infections, for example, the fever is not enough to fight off the pathogen and superinfection can occur, which is even more difficult to treat. The body also becomes infected with another pathogen.
In addition, fever increases the need for water. If this is not supplied, it can lead to reduced blood pressure and a sharp increase in heart rate. This can end in shock, which can be life-threatening. In addition, the proteins in our body begin to coagulate from around 41° C, they can no longer do their job and this can lead to serious consequences.
Since a fever consumes a lot of energy, unwanted weight loss often occurs, further weakening the body. Rarely, especially in children, a febrile seizure can occur, which is very similar to an epileptic seizure and is therefore perceived as dangerous, but this has no further consequences and quickly subsides.
treatment and therapy
If the body increases the temperature during a fever in order to create better defense conditions, then it is also not advisable to start taking antipyretic measures when the temperature is already high.
Checking the fever regularly will tell you whether the condition is improving or whether the temperature is continuing to rise.
Even if the fever rises above 38 degrees, simple fever-reducing measures such as calf wraps and cool, damp cloths on the wrist and forehead should be taken first. These usually reduce the fever very effectively and replace the intake of medication.
However, if the regular measurement of the body temperature shows that the fever is still close to the 39-degree mark or above, then a doctor’s consultation is absolutely necessary.
It is very important to mention that any fever that occurs in babies under the age of three months must always be treated immediately by a doctor. Even with small children, a visit to the doctor is always better than trying to lower the fever with your own resources.
outlook and prognosis
As a rule, fever is only an accompanying symptom of many different diseases. For this reason, the further course of the fever depends heavily on the underlying disease and its treatment. In most cases, however, the fever disappears quickly once the underlying illness has been overcome. In the case of a common flu or cold , fever is a common symptom. The symptoms can be reduced with medication or bed rest, and the fever usually goes away after a few days.
Various inflammations or infections can also lead to fever, which quickly subsides. In severe cases, the fever can also be very high and lead to a life-threatening condition. However, the treatment depends on the underlying disease. As a rule, antipyretic drugs relieve the symptoms relatively well and do not lead to further complications or symptoms. However, the affected person may have a fever again if another underlying disease occurs. Usually, fever does not affect or reduce the patient’s life expectancy.
prevention
Preventive measures against the occurrence of fever can be taken as part of infection control. Adequate hygiene reduces the possibility of ingestion of pathogens. Clothing suitable for the weather or a well-trained immune system can also prevent infectious diseases and thus the occurrence of fever.
Long stays outdoors, visits to the sauna and sports strengthen the body’s defenses and prevent infectious diseases, because the immune system can react more efficiently and more quickly to pathogens.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.