Fever: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

 

An abrupt increase in body temperature is called a fever. It's one element of the immune system's total reaction. An infection is typically the cause of a fever.

Most kids and adults may find a fever uncomfortable. However, it's usually not a reason to worry. However, even a slight temperature in newborns can indicate a serious infection.

Usually, fevers go away after a few days. Numerous over-the-counter drugs reduce fever. However, if a fever isn't uncomfortable, you don't always need to treat it.

When your body temperature is greater than it usually is, you have a fever. A fever is defined by most medical professionals as either 100.4 F (38 C) or 100.0 F (37.8 C). Your body naturally reacts to an infection or sickness by raising a temperature. Most of the time, fevers are not serious concerns. When the illness goes away, it usually disappears.

What is fever?

When your body temperature increases beyond normal, you have a fever. Fever isn't a disease in and of itself. Instead, it's a sign of several different medical conditions. A few degrees over normal body temperature can indicate that your immune system has been activated, usually in response to an infection. Additionally, several drugs and vaccinations may cause it as a side effect.

Signs and symptoms:

Person-to-person variations in body temperature occur throughout the day. The standard definition of average temperature is 98.6 F (37 C). A fever is typically defined as a temperature of 100 F (37.8 C) or higher measured using a mouth thermometer (oral temperature).

Other fever signs and symptoms could include the following, depending on what's producing the temperature:

• Sweat
• Shivering and chills
• Headache
• Aches in the muscles
• Appetite decline
• Intolerance
• Dehydration
• All-around weakness

Additional symptoms of fever in infants and kids could be:

• Lack of appetite = inadequate eating and drinking
• Pulling on their ears or an earache
• Crying in a high tone of voice
• Anxiety
• Flushing or pallidness
• Excessive thirst
• Decreased urinate

Causes:

The equilibrium between heat production and heat loss is the normal body temperature. This equilibrium is kept track of by the hypothalamus, which is also referred to as your body's "thermostat" and is found in the brain. Your body temperature varies slightly during the day, even in healthy individuals. In the morning, it may be lower, and in the late afternoon and evening, it may be higher.

The hypothalamus can raise body temperature in response to illness or immune system responses. This sets off complex systems that increase heat production and limit heat loss. The body produces heat in a few different ways, one of which is shivering. Your body retains heat when you cover up in a blanket because you're feeling chilly.
Generally harmless, fevers below 104 F (40 C), linked to common viral diseases like the flu, may strengthen the immune system's ability to combat disease.

A fever or high body temperature could result from:

• An infection caused by a virus
• An infection caused by bacteria
• Heat exhaustion
• Some inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, which causes inflammation of the synovium lining the joints,
• A malignant (cancerous) tumor
• Certain medications include antibiotics and those used to treat seizures or high blood pressure
• Certain vaccinations, such as the COVID-19 vaccine, the pneumococcal vaccine, or the DTaP vaccine,

Treatment:

Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications like ibuprofen and naproxen are the most often prescribed treatments for fever. Consult your physician about the proper dosage. Never give aspirin to young children or teenagers. Reye's syndrome, an uncommon ailment that may harm the brain and liver, has a link to it.

 
How should one take a person's body temperature?

There are multiple locations on your body where you can take your temperature. Your mouth is the most typical location (oral temperature). Other locations include the temporal artery in your forehead, the tympanic membrane in your ear, and the armpit (axillary). The armpit is the least accurate place, and the rectum is the most accurate.

Using a digital thermometer is the most accurate method of taking your temperature. Glass thermometers are no longer recommended by providers since they contain mercury.

At home, how can I treat a fever?

Generally, medication is not necessary for therapy if your temperature is light, measuring less than 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celsius). Make sure you get enough sleep and consume a lot of fluids.Consume plenty of clear liquids, including juices, broth, and water.

 Lowering your body's temperature with a mild bath (98 degrees F, 36.7 degrees C) could also be helpful. Watch out for dehydration symptoms and other symptoms that get worse.

You can attempt to break the fever if you're uncomfortable and your temperature is higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celsius). Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines like acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are the most popular ways to treat fevers.

Give aspirin to no younger than 17 years old. Children who take aspirin may develop Reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal illness.

Ibuprofen: Does it reduce fever?

Yes, you can try reducing your fever by using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen.




What is the duration of a fever?

The duration of the fever is determined by its cause. If you have a fever, the infection should usually go away in three to four days. If the fever lasts longer than that, or if it is accompanied by breathing problems, contact your doctor.

Prevention:

If you limit your exposure to infectious diseases, you might be able to prevent fevers. The tips that follow may be helpful:

• Vaccinate yourself against infectious diseases including COVID-19 and the flu as recommended.
• Follow the public health recommendations about mask use and social distancing.
• Particularly before eating, after using the restroom, after being in a crowd or near someone who is ill, after caressing animals, and when using public transit, wash your hands frequently and teach your kids to do the same.
• Show your children how to properly wash their hands by scrubbing the front and back of each hand with soap and then giving them a thorough rinse under running water.
• When you're anywhere without access to soap and water, always have hand sanitizer on hand.
• Avoid touching your lips, nose, or eyes as these are the main entry points for bacteria and viruses that can infect your body.
• Teach your kids to cover their noses when they sneeze and cover their mouths when they cough. To prevent spreading germs to other people, turn your back on them and cough or sneeze into your elbow whenever you can.
• Do not share utensils cups, or water bottles with your child or children.

References:

• American Academy of Family Physicians. Fever in Infants and Children (https://familydoctor.org/condition/fever-in-infants-and-children/). Accessed 5/31/2023.

• Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.

• Fever. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/biology-of-infectious-disease/fever. Accessed Feb. 9, 2022.

• Fever. American College of Emergency Physicians. https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/article/know-when-to-go/fever. Accessed Feb. 9, 2022.

• How to protect yourself & others. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html. Accessed Feb. 9, 2022.

• When and how to wash your hands. U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html. Accessed Feb. 9, 2022.

• Goldman L, et al., eds. Approach to fever or suspected infection in the normal host. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.