Fever which is also known as Pyrexia is a condition in which body's temperature is more elevated than the normal temperature, i.e. 98.6 F. Fever is actually a defensive response of the body against bacterial or viral infections which cannot tolerate high temperature. Sometimes it also occurs due to some other diseases and medical conditions. Usually, the fever is not considered a serious problem when it is below 100.4 F. However, when it is greater than that, it could be dangerous.
Symptoms:
Like every illness, a fever is accompanied by various symptoms which should be known by every person so they can diagnose and treat it immediately. The major symptoms of common fever include:
- Weakness and fatigue
- Chills and shivering
- Headache
- Nausea
- Muscles and joint pain
- Loss of appetite
- Sweating
- Rapid Heart Rate
If the fever is very high, for instance: 103 F to 106 F, it can cause some severe reactions like,
- Confusion
- Hallucination
- Irritability
- Dehydration
- Convulsions
- Dizziness
- Skin Flushing
Diagnosis of Fever:
If someone is suffering from many of these symptoms, then it is essential to check their body temperature to ensure that they do not have a fever. A thermometer can be used to measure the body temperature and diagnose the fever. If the thermometer reading confirms that a person has a fever, it is best to consult a doctor. It is also recommended to keep on checking the body temperature of the patient after short intervals to give treatment accordingly.
What Conditions of Fever Requires Medical Emergency:
Patients suffering from fever may require medical emergency if they show severe symptoms like pneumonia, stiff neck, diarrhea, vomiting, skin rashes, and other problems. Apart from this, patients with diseases like AIDS, cancer, diabetes, heart diseases, etc. should consult their doctors whenever they have a fever. Furthermore, young children who are below 3 months of age must be taken to the doctor immediately when they have a fever.
