Fever
Fever, or hyperthermia, describes abnormally elevated body temperature. It affects everyone, no matter the age or gender. The short-term increase of the body’s temperature can help it combat illness. However, severe or persistent fevers are often symptoms of severe conditions requiring medical treatment. Some conditions that may cause fever include infections like pneumonia or strep throat, immunizations, inflammatory diseases, and blood clots.
Depending on what’s causing the fever, other symptoms may arise. Some of these are sweating, shivering, headaches, muscle aches, appetite loss, dehydration, and general weakness, and the severity of your fever will determine its treatment approach. Low-grade fevers with minimal symptoms can often be treated with rest and hydration. However, if your body temperature exceeds 39°C (102.2°F), persists for over three days, has a weakened immune system, or has a severe illness, you need to contact a doctor.
It’s also a good idea to call a healthcare provider if your fever comes with symptoms like severe headaches, throat swelling, skin rash, sensitivity to light, neck pain, persistent vomiting, abdominal pain, discomfort when urinating, muscle weakness, chest pain, breathing problems, and confusion. Your doctor should be able to determine the best treatment method for your fever.
