Fever is a state of increased body temperature resulting from shifting the thermoregulatory center to higher values. Medicine defines fever as body temperature above 38 ° C (although there are studies that give slightly higher and lower values). Low-grade fever is between 37 ° C and 38 ° C.
The place that regulates our body temperature is the hypothalamus. There is a thermoregulation center in it, which stabilizes the body temperature. We start to fever when the hypothalamus sends a signal to our body to raise our body temperature. Factors by which the hypothalamic thermostat is reset are substances called pyrogens (substances that generate fever). These are various chemical compounds that travel through the bloodstream to the hypothalamus, causing body temperature to shift. Pyrogens can be of external origin (most often found in bacterial envelopes) or internal origin (inflammatory substances produced by stimulated cells of the immune system).
Therefore, fever is not a disease in itself, but a symptom that accompanies many different diseases. Of course, the most common cause of fever is a variety of infections and inflammation in the body. Sometimes, however, a fever appears in a patient who does not have any signs of infection. Then, further diagnostics is required for latent inflammatory foci (abscesses in the abdomen, chest, inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, female reproductive system or dentition), as well as other causes of fever, such as systemic connective tissue diseases and rheumatic diseases (usually fever is then accompanied by other symptoms in the form of joint pains, skin changes, etc.), cancer and hematological diseases (leukemia, lymphomas) or some medications.
Therefore, the occurrence of fever, especially if it is not accompanied by typical symptoms of infection, should be the reason for contacting a doctor who, examining the patient and ordering appropriate additional tests, should determine its cause and undertake appropriate treatment.
A fever, especially above 39 ° C, is a stressful condition for the body and leads to its exhaustion. It causes an increase in heart rate and breathing, as well as excessive sweating and evaporation, which, in the event of inadequate fluid intake, can lead to dehydration. Hence the need to combat fever.
Since fever is a symptom of other conditions, treating its cause seems to be the best course of action. Unfortunately, it often happens that the cause of fever does not cure immediately (e.g. in the case of bacterial infections, antibiotics do not have an antipyretic effect, and they develop their full effect after a few days of use) or, even worse, it is difficult to define it unequivocally. Mostly over-the-counter antipyretic drugs are then used. Their job is to fight fever until its cause is diagnosed and treated.
The first-line drugs are paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and pyralgine. In cases of resistant and very high fever, paracetamol is used in combination with drugs from other groups. In cases of extremely high temperatures, in addition to taking antipyretics, physical cooling methods are used, such as cool compresses, baths, ice packs, and the consumption of cool drinks. During a fever, it is very important to stay well hydrated and increase the amount of fluids consumed to 2-3 liters per day. Any fever accompanying infections, lasting more than seven days despite the treatment used, should prompt you to visit a doctor who will suggest further diagnostics and treatment.