Fever

General description of the disease

This is an increase in body temperature due to the fact that heat production exceeds heat transfer. The process is accompanied by chills, tachycardia, rapid breathing, etc. It is often called “fever” or “fever”

As a rule, fever is a companion of almost all infectious pathologies. Moreover, in young children, fever occurs due to an increase in heat production, while in adults it is provoked by a limitation of heat transfer. Hyperthermia is a protective action of the body in response to pathogenic stimuli.

Fever causes

Each patient has an individual cause of hyperthermia. An increase in body temperature can provoke:

• certain forms of cancer, such as lymphoma;
• infections of a parasitic, bacterial or viral nature;
• inflammatory diseases of the abdominal organs;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases: arthritis, pyelonephritis;
• heatstroke;
• intoxication with poisoning;
• some medications;
• heart attack;
• meningitis.

Types, stages and symptoms of fever

Depending on the temperature drops, fevers are classified into:

1. 1 returnable – alternation of normal body temperature with increased, can last for several days;
2. 2 exhausting – during the day, the temperature can rise to 5 degrees several times and then drop sharply;
3. 3 remetiruyuschaya – elevated temperature, but no more than 2 degrees, as a rule, does not decrease to the normal level;
4. 4 perverted – the highest body temperature is observed in the morning;
5. 5 general – elevated temperature within 1 degree, which lasts for a long period;
6. 6 incorrect – throughout the day, the body temperature decreases and rises without any regularities.

Fever occurs in stages. At the first stage, the temperature rises, the skin becomes pale, there is a feeling of goose bumps. The second stage is temperature retention, its duration ranges from one hour to several days. At the same time, the skin becomes hot, the patient feels a feeling of heat, while the chills disappear. Depending on the indicator of the thermometer, the second stage of heat is divided into:

• subfebrile (up to 38 degrees);
• febrile or moderate (when the thermometer shows no more than 39 degrees);
• high – no more than 41 degrees;
• excessive – an increase in body temperature above 41 degrees.

The third stage involves a decrease in temperature, which can be rapid or slow. Usually, under the influence of medications, the vessels of the skin expand, and excess heat is removed from the patient’s body, which is accompanied by intense sweating.

Common features of fever include:

1. 1 flushed face;
2. 2 aching bones and joints;
3. 3 intense thirst;
4. 4 sweating;
5. 5 body trembling;
6. 6 tachycardia;
7. 7 in some cases confused consciousness;
8. 8 lack of appetite;
9. 9 cramps in the temples;
10. 10 vomiting.

Complications of fever

High temperature is poorly tolerated by both children and adults. However, not only the fever itself is dangerous, but the reason that provokes it. After all, hyperthermia can be a sign of meningitis or serious pneumonia. Elderly people, people with cancer, people with weakened immune systems and small children tolerate high temperatures worst of all.

In 5% of babies in the first 3 to 4 years of life, at a high temperature, convulsive seizures and hallucinations are possible, in some cases up to loss of consciousness. Such convulsions should not be associated with epilepsy, they have nothing to do with it. They are explained by the immaturity of the functioning of the nervous system. They usually occur when the thermometer reads above 38 degrees. In this case, the baby may not hear the doctor and not react to his words. The duration of seizures can range from a few seconds to several minutes and stop on their own.

Fever prevention

There is no prevention of hyperthermia. Pathologies that can provoke fever should be treated in time.

Treatment of fever in mainstream medicine

With slight hyperthermia (no more than 38 degrees on the thermometer), no drugs are prescribed, since the body at this time mobilizes the immune defense.

On an outpatient basis, the patient is shown rest and intake of large amounts of fluids. Every 2-3 hours, the body temperature should be monitored, if it is more than 38 degrees, then it is necessary to take an antipyretic medicine according to the instructions and call a doctor. After examination, the doctor determines the cause, and, if necessary, prescribes anti-inflammatory or antiviral agents and vitamin therapy.

Attention!

The administration is not responsible for any attempt to use the information provided, and does not guarantee that it will not harm you personally. The materials cannot be used to prescribe treatment and make a diagnosis. Always consult your specialist doctor!