Fever Symptoms

A fever is a temporary increase in body temperature, typically as a result of an illness. A fever is a sign that our body cells are fighting and eliminating a number of infections from our body.

The word fever usually describes a body temperature that is higher than normal and can affect both children and adults. A fever may be uncomfortable for an adult, but not serious unless it reaches 39.4° C (103° F) or higher. For toddlers and infants, mildly high body temperature can be a sign of a serious infection.

Fever can be caused by a wide variety of diseases. As mentioned earlier, infections are the primary cause for the rise in body temperature. There are various types of infections caused by the pathogens, including the common cold, Pneumonia, tuberculosis, etc.

Fever Causes

Fever can be caused due to:

• Infections such as throat, flu, pneumonia, etc.
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Overexposure to sunlight
• Dehydration
• Alcohol withdrawal
• Silicosis
• Dehydration

Sign and Symptoms of Fever

The most common symptoms of fever include:

• Chills
• Fatigue
• Paleness
• Confusions
• Shivering
• Seizures
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Headache
• Sore eyes
• Flushed skin
• Dehydration
• Loss of appetite
• Warm forehead
• Excessive sleepiness
• Difficulty in swallowing
• A general feeling of weakness
• Greater irritability than usual in infants or young children.

These were a few common symptoms of fever. There are other symptoms which vary with the causes, duration of fever and the variation in the body temperature. There are different types of treatment available for fever, which usually varies with the symptoms. If the fever is mild or less than 101 degrees or caused by infections, then the doctor may prescribe medicines, including, Paracetamol and antibiotics, along with few healthy diets to prevent dehydration.

Treatment

Fever can be treated by taking drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen. If the fever is due to a bacterial infection, an antibiotic may be given to treat the patient. In the case of viral infections, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used. A lot of fluid intake prevents the condition from getting worse.

Stay tuned with BYJU’S to learn more about fever, its causes and its symptoms.