DISEASES
description
A fever is an increase in your body temperature and is often due to an illness. Fevers occur when the brain’s thermostat (hypothalamus) is signalled to increase normal body temperature. When this occurs, symptoms include the feeling of ‘chills’ which promotes the individual to take measures to warm-up by shivering or adding layers aiding in the body’s temperature increase.
Typically, a fever is temporary; however, in some instances a fever can be prolonged or consistently occurring. Either way, having a fever is a symptom of an abnormal occurrence or condition. Consistent periodic fevers and prolonged fevers are typically symptoms of a more severe underlying cause. Though a temporary fever is considered to play a key role in helping your body fight off a number of infections, consistent periodic fevers and prolonged fevers can be a harmful reaction in itself.
For an adult, a fever is a concern when body temperature reaches 103 F (39.4 C) or higher. For infants and toddlers, a temperature (measured orally) greater than 100°F (37.8°C) is a concern. Slightly elevated temperatures in infants and toddlers may indicate a serious infection.
Causes of a Fever:
- A viral infection
- A bacterial infection
- Heat exhaustion
- Inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and SLE
- Cancer
- Some medications, such as antibiotics and drugs used to treat high blood pressure or seizures
- Some immunizations, such as the diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP) or pneumococcal vaccine
- Other autoinflammatory diseases such as Kawasaki disease.
In the case of fever of unknown cause, such as a consistent periodic fever or a prolonged fever, a cytokine / immune biomarker array may give insight into the cause and treatment options.
Symptoms
- Sweating
- Chills and shivering
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Loss of appetite
- Irritability
- Dehydration
- General weakness