Fever

symptoms of fever

Human body temperature is normally between 36° and 37.5°. The range from 37.6° to 37.9° is called elevated body temperature. From 38° there is a fever . A high fever is a body temperature of 39°.

Fever is a symptom and not an independent disease. It is not uncommon for fever to be accompanied by accompanying symptoms. These include e.g. B. freezing or sweating, tiredness, headache, muscle and joint pain. The skin feels hot, one is restless and has little appetite. Confusion or hallucinations may also occur with a high fever.

causes of fever

We usually associate fever symptoms with an illness . A strenuous workout in the gym can also cause a slight fever. In women, body temperature increases by about 0.5° during ovulation and pregnancy .

Other factors that can affect our body temperature include weight, age, and time of year . In addition, the temperature varies throughout the day : it is lowest in the morning and highest in the afternoon.

The most common cause of fever is infection . Among other things, you can have a fever for a few days with the following symptoms :

• a cold
• tonsillitis
• Bronchitis

Some diseases cause a fever that can last for weeks . These include e.g. e.g.:

• Flu
• sinus infection
• glandular fever

Fever can also be caused by illnesses that are not caused by an infection , for example:

• appendicitis
• Rheumatoide Arthritis
• allergies

fever in children

Basically, children get viral infections with fever more often than adults. In this way, the immune system is built up so that it becomes more resistant to infections in the long term. If your child has a fever, you should not only check how high the fever is, but also how your child is otherwise.

Children can have high, dangerous fevers without being particularly ill. For example, persistent whining or loss of appetite can be an indication of a fever. The face is usually red with a fever, but the skin is rather cool.

Diagnosis of fever: fever measurement

You can measure your fever yourself with a clinical thermometer . There are various measuring methods to choose from: The fever can be measured in the oral cavity, under the armpits, in the ear or at the anus. Forehead and temple thermometers that work with infrared sensors are new. However, rectal measurement remains the most reliable , especially in children.

Various factors can affect the temperature displayed on the clinical thermometer. Do not eat or drink anything for 15 minutes before using an oral thermometer . An ear thermometer should not be used immediately after waking up – the heat from the pillow can show a higher temperature.

You can do this yourself if you have a fever

With fever symptoms, the body usually fights against harmful pathogens. As long as it is not a high fever, the body temperature does not necessarily have to be lowered. If you have a fever, you should not exercise , go to work or school . Instead, rest to slowly regain strength.

When you have a high fever, the brain tells the body to lower its body temperature. Result: The body sweats, the sweat cools down the skin. If you have a high fever, you should drink plenty of fluids to replace lost fluids.

If the fever is very uncomfortable or associated with severe pain, you can ask the pharmacy for an over-the-counter antipyretic . If that doesn’t help, you should seek medical help immediately.

Caution: Children and adolescents under the age of 18 should not take any medicines with aspirin without a doctor’s recommendation due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome !

Treatment options for fever

If the fever is due to a serious illness, the cause must be treated . If the fever symptoms are classified as harmless, the treatment can also be carried out on your own. However, only the doctor can prescribe certain medications , such as antibiotics for a bacterial infection. In this way, the fever can be reduced in a targeted manner.

Dangerous fever: go to the doctor immediately

Fever symptoms often go away on their own without treatment. You should seek medical help immediately in the following cases :

• If you have a very high fever (from 40°).
• If you feel a strong feeling of illness.
• If you get a short-term fever with chills.
• If you have additional serious symptoms such as B. have shortness of breath or stiff neck.
• If you have febrile seizures.
• When you are dazed or confused.
• If the fever lasts more than 4 to 5 days.

Does your child have a fever ? Then you should go to the doctor :

• If your child is younger than 6 months.
• If the fever lasts more than 1 day.
• If your child has febrile seizures.
• When antipyretic measures are ineffective.
• If additional symptoms such as cough, rash, diarrhea or lightheadedness occur.

This is how Med-Healths can help with fever

Precisely because fever can have so many different causes, advice on Med-Healths makes sense . Is the fever dangerous? Should I take medication to bring down the fever? What can I do to feel better again quickly? An online consultation can help you with these questions. You can also get a prescription or sick note via Med-Healths .