Fever
Fever is a condition where the body temperature increases above 38 degrees Celsius. Generally, fever is the body’s response or symptom to disease.
An increase in body temperature or fever is actually one way the human immune system fights infection.
That is why if the fever is not too severe, doctors advise against lowering it.
Sufferers can take antipyretic drugs to help fight bacteria or viruses.
However, sometimes fever can rise too high, so this condition needs to be treated before complications occur. See a doctor immediately if the fever exceeds 38 degrees Celsius.
Symptoms of Fever
Although the causes can vary, here are some general symptoms of fever, including:
- Headache.
- A cold sweat.
- Shivering.
- Dehydration.
- Cough.
- Sore throat.
- Ear pain.
- Diarrhea.
- Vomiting.
- Muscle pain.
- Decreased appetite.
- Fatigue.
Meanwhile, there are symptoms of fever that need to be watched out for which indicate that the fever requires immediate treatment, including:
- Stiff neck.
- The eyes are very sensitive to light.
- Constant vomiting.
- Reddish spots appear on the skin.
- Hard to breathe.
- Tends to be sleepy all the time.
- Painful and looks like he’s in pain.
- Not wanting to drink and decreased frequency of urination.
Risk Factors for Fever
Here are some risk factors for fever, including:
- Children are more at risk of developing fever.
- Contact with someone who is sick.
- Consuming food or drinks contaminated with germs.
- Weak immune system.
Causes of Fever
Fever is a symptom or the body’s response to an infection or disease.
Therefore, the causes of fever will vary, including:
- Immunization, for example after receiving the pertussis vaccine.
- Viral and bacterial infections, for example COVID-19 infection, meningitis, typhus, dysentery, chickenpox, and urinary tract infections.
- Diseases caused by mosquito bites, such as dengue fever, malaria, and chikungunya.
- Some types of drugs can also cause fever symptoms.
- Standing too long in the sun.
- Diseases, such as arthritis and hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland).
- Cancer, such as leukemia, liver cancer, or lung cancer.
Sometimes the cause of fever cannot be identified accurately.
If you have a fever for more than three weeks, and your doctor cannot find the cause after conducting an examination, then the fever you are experiencing could be a fever of unknown origin.
Fever Diagnosis
A doctor can diagnose a fever by checking the person’s body temperature, but the doctor also needs to diagnose the cause of the fever.
To do this, the doctor will diagnose fever by measuring the sufferer’s body temperature using a thermometer.
Afterward, the doctor will find out the cause of the fever by conducting a medical interview, a thorough physical examination, and supporting examinations if necessary.
In order to confirm the diagnosis so that treatment can be carried out immediately, the doctor may recommend further examinations such as:
- Complete blood test. Aims to determine the amount of each component of the blood.
- Urinalysis or urine test. This test is done through laboratory examination to observe the concentration and content of urine.
- Metabolic panel test. This examination is used to determine the condition of the body related to metabolism, such as the kidneys and liver.
Complications of Fever
In general, high fever left untreated can cause several complications such as dehydration, hallucinations, and even convulsions.
Children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years may be more susceptible to febrile seizures which typically involve loss of consciousness and shaking of the limbs on both sides of the body.
Although worrying for parents, most febrile seizures do not cause lasting effects.
However, if a seizure occurs, here are some things you need to do, namely:
- Lay the child on his side or stomach on the floor or ground.
- Remove any sharp objects near the child.
- Loosen clothing (if wearing tight clothing).
- Do not put anything in your child’s mouth or try to stop the seizure.
- Most seizures stop on their own. Take your child to the doctor as soon as possible after a seizure to determine the cause of the fever.
Fever Treatment
In adults, there are many types of over-the-counter medications available to reduce fever.
These medications can be purchased over the counter. However, mild fevers should not be treated.
If the fever is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
However, if the fever is caused by a viral infection, taking painkillers can also reduce the symptoms.
You can also relieve the symptoms that arise from fever through several home treatments such as the following:
- Drink plenty of water, as fever can cause fluid loss and dehydration.
- You need to get enough rest to recover because activity can increase body temperature.
- Make yourself comfortable by wearing light clothing.
- Apply a warm compress to the forehead area, keep the room temperature cool and sleep with only a thin sheet or blanket.
Fever Prevention
Reducing the risk of exposure to infectious agents is one of the best ways to prevent fever.
Here are some tips that can help reduce this exposure:
- Wash your hands frequently, especially before eating, after using the toilet, and after being around lots of people.
- Show your child how to wash their hands properly. Instruct them to cover the front and back of each hand with soap and rinse thoroughly under warm water.
- Bring hand sanitizer or antibacterial wipes. They can come in handy when you don’t have access to soap and water.
- Avoid touching your nose, mouth, or eyes. This is because viruses and bacteria can more easily enter the body and cause infection.
- Cover your mouth when coughing and your nose when sneezing.
- Avoid sharing cups, glasses, and eating utensils with others.
- Wear a mask when leaving the house to avoid transmission of viruses that can spread through saliva droplets.