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| Fever, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Complications |
Definition of Fever
Fever is an increase in body temperature to more than 38 C. This condition can indicate the presence of certain diseases or conditions in the body. Fever can happen to anyone, from babies to adults.
Fever generally occurs as a reaction of the immune system in fighting infection with germs that cause disease. Some diseases that often cause fever are flu, sore throat, and urinary tract infections.
Apart from illness, fever can also occur due to exposure to weather and excessive heat, the menstrual cycle, reactions after immunization in children, or side effects of certain drugs.
Although it can be worrisome at times, most fevers caused by viral infections will go away on their own. However, if the fever has reached a temperature of more than 39 C, treatment is needed to overcome the discomfort caused by the fever and treat the cause.
It should be noted that fever is one of the common symptoms experienced by sufferers of COVID-19. Therefore, if you or those around you have a fever, immediately consult a doctor to determine the condition.
Symptoms and Causes of Fever
Fever is characterized by an increase in body temperature to more than 38 C. Normally, body temperature ranges from 36.1 C to 37.2 C.
Fever is a symptom of certain conditions or diseases. Usually, fever will be accompanied by other symptoms of the underlying condition. Some of these accompanying symptoms are:
- Headache
- Sweating
- shivers
- Weak
- Muscle ache
- Loss of appetite
Fever can be caused by various conditions, such as:
- Infectious diseases, such as viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic infections
- Diseases that cause chronic inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis
- Immunizations, such as diphtheria and tetanus
- Drugs
- Cancer
Treatment and Prevention
Fever treatment is adjusted to the cause. In fever caused by infection, the doctor will give medication, such as:
- Antiviral drug
- Antibiotic drug
- Antifungal drug
Fever can cause discomfort. This can be overcome by resting and drinking enough water, as well as taking fever-reducing drugs, such as paracetamol.
Fever can be prevented only if the condition or disease that causes the fever can be avoided. For example, by living a clean and healthy lifestyle, to prevent fever caused by infection.
Causes of Fever
Body temperature can be different for each person, but tends to be lower in the morning and will increase in the afternoon and evening.
Normally, body temperature ranges from 36.1 C to 37.2 C. Fever occurs when the body temperature reaches 380C or more. This condition occurs when a part of the brain called the hypothalamus increases body temperature to help fight infection or disease.
Fever is most often caused by a viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infection. In addition, there are other conditions or diseases that can also cause fever:
- Certain immunizations, such as diphtheria and tetanus
- Teething in babies
- Consumption of drugs such as antibiotics
- Autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease
- Hormone disorders, such as hyperthyroidism
- Cancers, such as liver cancer, lymphoma (including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma or DLBCL), and kidney cancer
- Exposure to hot weather for a long time
Symptoms of Fever
Fever is characterized by an increase in body temperature of more than 38 C. In general, normal body temperature is between 36.1 C to 37.2 C.
Apart from an increase in body temperature, fever is also often accompanied by other symptoms, depending on the underlying condition or disease. Here are some other symptoms that often accompany a fever:
- Headache
- Sweating
- shivers
- Weak
- Muscleache
- Sore eyes
- Earache
- Loss of appetite
- Heart beat
- Reddish skin
- Dehydration
- Have a cold
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Vomit
- Diarrhea
When to See a Doctor
Fever does not necessarily indicate a serious condition and can sometimes subside on its own. However, you can do independent treatment to relieve discomfort, for example by drinking enough water and taking fever-reducing drugs, such as paracetamol.
Beware if you have a fever in the following conditions:
- Body temperature reaches 39 C
- Fever lasts more than 3 days
- The symptoms that accompany the fever get worse
- Weak immune system or are suffering from certain diseases
- Fever occurs after visiting a place or to another country
- Fever occurs during pregnancy
Immediately check with your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately if you have a fever accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms:
- Neck feels stiff
- Headaches that don't go away
- Constant vomiting
- Red spots on the skin that are swollen and enlarged
- Shortness of breath or chest pain
- bloody chapters
- Abdominal pain or pain when urinating
- Swelling in the legs
- Loss of consciousness
- seizures
Fever that occurs in infants should be immediately examined by a doctor if:
- Body temperature is more than 38 C and occurs when the baby is less than 3 months old
- The baby is getting fussy, weak, and looks uncomfortable
- Fever lasts more than 1 day
Check your child to the doctor if the fever is accompanied by fussiness, lethargy, unresponsiveness, or occurs after receiving immunizations.
Diagnosis of Fever
Fever can be determined by measuring body temperature using a thermometer. Measurements can be taken through the mouth, armpit, ear, and rectum.
There are two types of thermometers that are commonly used, namely mercury and digital thermometers. Measurement with a mercury thermometer takes 3 minutes. Meanwhile, measurements with a digital thermometer only take about 1 minute.
If the fever doesn't subside after 3 days or is accompanied by other serious symptoms, check with your doctor. The doctor will conduct questions and answers about the patient's complaints and medical history, then carry out a physical examination, including measuring body temperature.
To determine the cause of fever, the doctor may perform additional examinations in the form of:
- Urine test
- Sputum examination
- Stool examination
- Cerebrospinal fluid examination
- Complete blood test
- Scans, such as X-rays or CT scans
The cause of fever is not always known. If the fever lasts more than 3 weeks and the cause is unknown even though a series of tests have been carried out above, the doctor will call it FUO (fever of unknown origin).
In these conditions, the doctor may carry out further tests, for example with an endoscope, PET scan, or echocardiography, to find out the cause of the fever.
Fever Treatment
Fever with a temperature that is not too high and does not last long usually does not require special treatment. However, to deal with discomfort due to fever, there are several ways you can do it at home, namely:
- Enough rest.
- Wear comfortable clothes with materials that are not too thick, and stay in a cool room.
- Drink enough water.
- Take a warm shower.
You can also take over-the-counter fever-reducing drugs, such as paracetamol. However, consume these drugs according to the rules listed on the packaging or according to doctor's advice. Although this drug is relatively safe, use in excessive doses and long term can cause liver or kidney damage.
If the fever is high enough or lasts a long time, the doctor will treat it according to the cause. Some of the treatments that can be given are:
- Giving intravenous fluids, especially if there are signs of dehydration and cannot drink directly
- Antiviral medication if the fever is caused by a viral infection
- Antibiotic drugs, to treat fever due to bacterial infections
- Antifungal drugs, to treat fungal infections that cause fever
Fever Complications
Fever generally does not cause serious complications. However, if the body temperature reaches 40 C and lasts a long time, the patient may experience the following complications:
- Dehydration
- hallucination
- Daze and loss of consciousness
- convulsions
Fever due to severe infection or experienced by people with weak immune systems, such as people with cancer or HIV, can be dangerous. Besides causing damage to the brain and nervous system, this condition can be life threatening.
In children aged 6 months to 5 years, fever can cause complications in the form of seizures. This condition is known as febrile seizures or step disease.
Fever Prevention
Fever is difficult to prevent because of various causes. However, fever can be prevented if the disease or condition causing it can be avoided. For example, fever caused by infection can be prevented by living a clean and healthy lifestyle.
Here are some ways you can do to prevent the spread and transmission of infection:
- Wash your hands frequently and keep the house clean
- Do not share eating and drinking utensils with others
- Do not share use of personal items, such as towels, clothing, or toothbrushes
- Maintain and increase endurance by getting enough rest, eating a healthy and balanced nutrition, exercising or regular physical activity, and drinking sufficient amounts of water.
In addition, do the vaccination according to the schedule or doctor's advice, including when you want to travel to another country. It can also help prevent infections that can cause a fever.
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