Fever also known as hyperthermia, pyrexia, or elevated temperature is the result of an immune response by the body to a foreign agent or substance such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, drugs, or other toxins. It is described as a condition where the body temperature is higher than the normal. Fever can affect all the age groups. A short-term increase in body temperature can help the body to fight off the illness but a prolonged and severe form of fever can be a symptom of underlying disease condition that requires immediate medical attention. Normal body temperature is around 98.6°F, or 37°C, which can vary for each person, under certain physiological conditions and may fluctuate depending on the time and temperature of the day.
In general, a baby has a fever if the body temperature exceeds 100.4°F or 38°C, for a child when it exceeds 99.5°F or 37.5°C and for an adult when it exceeds 99 to 99.5°F or 37.2 to 37.5°C.
Different conditions and causes of fever: Fever is a common symptom of most infections such a common cold, flu, gastroenteritis, etc. The infections that may induce a fever include infection of the ear, throat, lung, bladder, stomach and intestines, liver, spleen and kidney. In children, immunizations or teething may cause short-term low-grade fever. Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease, toxins, medicinal side effects, seizures, hormonal disorders, cancers, and glandular infections may also cause fevers.
Symptoms: High temperature, shivering, sweating, headache, body pain, loss of appetite, dehydration, shaking, and chills, tachycardia and irritability. The accompanying symptoms include sore throat, cough, earache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and with very high temperatures there maybe convulsions, hallucinations, or confusion depending on the organ infected.
Prevention and care: Fever itself is not contagious but if it is caused by a viral or bacterial infection, then care should be taken to prevent it. Proper hygiene, Washing the hands frequently and avoiding contact with sick people as much as possible are few measures to prevent from getting infected. Proper care for a fever depends on the severity of the fever/infection. Drinking fluids and resting in bed, making sure of the room temperature, proper clothing and covering, good aeration, regular bath or a sponge bath using lukewarm water are some of the steps that can be taken to lower the temperature.