An elevated body temperature is known as a fever. An underlying illness usually causes it. When you become ill or feel uncomfortable, your body raises your temperature. Having a fever means your body temperature exceeds the usual range of 98 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If your body temperature rises, you may get chills. Fever is your body’s way of getting rid of the source of your illness. Most often, it will go away by itself in a few days.
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Different Types of Fever
Because there are so many distinct causes of fever, it can be difficult to categorize them, and the classifications aren’t usually very helpful. Fevers are often measured by how long they last and how high your body temperature rises. Doctors have defined five forms of fever as follows:
Irregular Fever
It fluctuates between normal temperatures and fever levels throughout the day.
Recurrent Fever
There may be fluctuating temperatures with this type of fever, but the condition does not return to normal.
Cyclic Fever
If there is at least a 1.4-degree difference between the highest and lowest temperature during the day, intermittent or remittent fever is chaotic.
Constant Fever
As long as the temperature does not change throughout the day, this is often described as being a “sustained” fever.
Relapsing
Having normal temperatures followed by an intermittent fever is common. Infections like malaria and animal bites commonly cause this type of fever.
The Causes of Fever
A fever is produced by your body for a multitude of reasons. Here are some of the most common causes:
Infections
Fever is most commonly caused by this. The human body raises its core temperature as part of its defence against bacteria or viruses. There are many types of infections here, including colds, flu, gastroenteritis, and infections of the ear, skin, throat, and bladder.
Environmental Aspects
Heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and severe sunburn can all cause a fever to develop in your body. To help relieve the heat, drink plenty of fluids and apply cold washcloths.
Inflammatory Disorders
Fever can be caused by inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Your body is attempting to combat internal inflammation.
Hormone Imbalances
Hyperthyroidism is one of these illnesses, which can cause your body temperature to rise. Fever can be caused by the use of some drugs as well as illegal substances. Antibiotics and medications used to treat seizures or high blood pressure can play a role in fever.
Fever Signs and Symptoms
The presence of fever is a symptom or indication that you are ill or infected; it is not an actual disease. In addition to fever, a person may also experience the following symptoms:
Sweating or Chilling
During this time, you may sweat or feel cold while shivering. The symptoms of fever could indicate this.
Headache
If your head hurts in any way, then you definitely have a headache. Headaches are often accompanied by fevers.
Muscle Aches
Physical aches can sometimes accompany fever. If you have sharp, random pains or continual aches, you may have a fever.
Appetite Loss
You may lose your appetite if you have a fever. Infections can cause fever and loss of appetite.
Rash
You may get a rash if you have a fever. When you have a rash, red lumps appear on your skin.
