Fever: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Diet
November 12, 2022 | by Yashaswi Pathakamuri | Posted in Fever
The fever is the body’s natural response to infection or inflammation. Fever is a symptom of an illness, not the illness itself. When the body senses an invading organism, such as bacteria or a virus, it sends out signals that cause blood vessels to narrow and dilate in various parts of the body. This is what triggers a fever – when the body’s temperature rises above normal levels.
Fever is a major symptom of many infectious diseases. It is the body’s response to the infection in which the hypothalamus raises the body temperature to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria and viruses.
A fever can be high or low depending on what caused it. For example, if you have a bacterial infection, your temperature will be higher than 100°F (37°C). If you have a virus, your temperature will be lower than 100°F (37°C).
Causes
Fever is a common symptom that can be caused by many different things. It can be caused by a bacterial infection, viral infection, or even the flu. The causes depend on age and the cause of the fever itself. For example, fever in young children can be caused by a viral infection, while fever in older adults could be caused by an infection or cancer.
The causes of fever include:
- Viral infections, such as chickenpox. herpes, flu, measles
- Bacterial infections, such as strep throat, salmonella, pneumonia, ear infection
- Metabolic disorders, such as diabetes
- Parasites and other infectious agents such as malaria and Lyme disease
- Liver disease
- Some cancers
- Excessive heat
- Dehydration
- Medications
- Heatstroke
- Autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
Symptoms
Fever is a symptom of a number of different diseases, some of which are more serious than others. It’s important to identify the underlying cause and get appropriate treatment.
Fever is a common symptom of many diseases. It’s important to know the symptoms of fever to be able to identify what the cause may be.
Symptoms of fever include:
- Shivering or shaking
- Feeling very hot and sweaty
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Chills
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Feeling tired or weak
- Sore throat
- Pain when swallowing
- White or yellow mucous membranes in the back of the throat
How to take temperature?
A fever is generally measured with a thermometer. The temperature may be measured in Celsius (C) or Fahrenheit (F). There are many different types of thermometers available, including digital, oral, rectal, ear, and forehead.
A temporal artery thermometer is another way to take someone’s temperature. This type of thermometer is often used on babies and elderly people because it doesn’t require contact with the skin and it takes a reading in seconds.
The last way to measure someone’s temperature is by using an infrared ear thermometer. These types of thermometers are more accurate than other types of thermometers because they measure the heat coming from the eardrum instead of on the outside of the body.
Diagnosis
Fever is an important sign of illness. It can be caused by a variety of conditions, such as a high body temperature, infection, or heat stroke.
The diagnosis for fever is done through the following steps:
- First, the doctor will ask you about your symptoms and medical history. The doctor will also do a physical exam to check for other signs of illness. This includes checking your temperature, pulse rate and blood pressure.
- The doctor may order tests to help diagnose the cause of your fever. These may include X-rays or blood tests to check for infection or other causes of fever.
- Once the cause of your fever is diagnosed, the doctor will prescribe either a medication or other treatment. If your fever does not go away after you start treatment, then it is most likely due to an infection.
Treatment
Fever is a symptom of many different conditions. It can be caused by an infection, injury, or a reaction to medication. When the body’s immune system detects something harmful, it reacts by increasing the body temperature to kill the invading organism or heal the injured site.
The fever is usually treated with medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen which reduce the body’s production of prostaglandins which are responsible for increasing the temperature. The doctor may also suggest bed rest and fluids to help fight off dehydration.
Treatment for fever depends on the cause of the fever. If the fever is caused by an infection such as flu or pneumonia, then antibiotics are needed to treat the infection. If it’s caused by a virus such as chickenpox or measles, then there’s not much that can be done besides resting and taking pain relievers for muscle aches and headaches.
The goal of any fever treatment is to reduce the body’s temperature and make it feel more comfortable. Other treatments include using cooling pads, taking cold showers, and drinking plenty of water.
Diet
The diet for fever is a very important factor in the recovery process. The body needs to be properly nourished and hydrated in order to fight off the infection.
There are many factors that can affect the diet for fever, such as age, severity of the fever, type of illness, and whether or not the person is on any medication.
It is best to consult with a doctor/dietician before making any changes to your diet if you have a fever.
Foods to be taken:
Fever is a common symptom for many illnesses, but it can be hard to know which foods are best to eat when you have a fever.
Here are some of the best foods for fever:
- Ginger tea with lemon or ginger tea with honey: Ginger is great for reducing inflammation and helping you feel better.
- Chicken soup: Chicken soup is full of antioxidants and has been shown in studies to reduce the duration of colds.
- Strawberry smoothie: Strawberries are rich in Vitamin C, which helps us fight off infection and boosts our immune system.
- Banana: Bananas contain potassium, magnesium and Vitamin B6, which help reduce inflammation and provide relief from pain caused by fever.
- Horseradish: Horseradish is one of the hottest spices, but it contains a compound called allyl isothiocyanate that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.
Other foods included are:
- Coconut water
- Fruits
- Greek yogurt
- Vegetables
- Fish and poultry
Foods that are hard to digest are a no-no during a fever because your digestive system is not in its best shape. Also, you should refrain from having foods that supply your body with no vitamins and minerals. So to give you an idea,
Here are some of those that you should be avoided:
Prevention
Fever is a rise in body temperature, which can be caused by a variety of conditions. It is important to know how to prevent fever and what to do if you develop fever.
The following are some tips on how to prevent fever:
- Keep the air fresh with an air purifier.
- Drink plenty of fluids, such as water or coconut water, because dehydration can lead to a fever.
- Use natural remedies for fever such as ginger tea or honey/lemon drink to help control the fever.
- Keep your home cool and dark by closing shades, turning off lights, and keeping the thermostat low.
- Take a rest from work to avoid overworking yourself.
Summary
A fever is a sign that the body is fighting an infection. It is a natural response to infection and it will help to kill off any of the harmful bacteria or virus in your body and it will also reduce any swelling in your body.
Fever can be caused by many different things such as bacteria, viruses, or even cancer. It is not contagious and it will not make you sicker than you already are.
It is important to diagnose the cause of fever to prevent the illness from worsening. Fever will usually last for 3-4 days but can last up to 10 days.