fever

The fever, also the Pyrexia, is a state increased body temperature, which mostly occurs as an accompanying symptom of the defense against invading living microorganisms or other substances recognized as foreign, as well as less often in the context of other inflammatory processes, trauma or as an accompanying symptom in some tumors. Fever must be distinguished from the elevated temperature.

What is fever

An increase in body temperature is called a fever. People speak of fever when they exceed their normal temperature, which is between 36 ° C and 37.9 ° C. From 38 ° C one speaks of a slight fever, the condition becomes dangerous when the temperature exceeds 40 ° C. Fever is not only expressed by this - the patient feels both more exhausted and sick the higher his body temperature rises. He also often sweats and can suffer from other side effects.

The associated processes are based on complex physiological reactions, which include a regulated and limited increase in body temperature that is actively brought about by the organism. The latter arises as a result of a temperature setpoint change in the hypothalamic heat regulation center. Fever is an example of a regulated change in homeostasis.

Contrary to a common misunderstanding, fever is in most cases not the cause of illness, but part of the organism's response to illness. Accordingly, it is common practice to symptomatically lower fever from a certain level in order to avert supposed harm to the patient; However, this frequent practice often does not correspond to the state of research in fever physiology. Instead of a routine lowering of the fever above a certain temperature, symptomatic therapy should be based on the condition and secondary risks of the fever for certain patient groups.

causes

Fever is an immune reaction of the body of organisms of the same temperature, to which all mammals and therefore humans belong. They react to the intrusion of living foreign bodies and try to kill them in this way. The operating principle is simple: fever attacks the enzymes that belong to the group of proteins. These are necessary for the metabolic processes and many other important processes in the body of all living things.

However, they can only survive at certain temperatures, otherwise they are irreversibly destroyed - this temperature optimum is different for every living being. The so-called denaturation of the enzymes can be seen, for example, in fried eggs: when heated, the proteins turn white and do not return to their original state. If this happens in the living being, it dies - in this way the body kills bacteria, among other things.

In the event of injuries or open wounds, the body often increases the temperature in the corresponding area preventively. This is to prevent invading bacteria from finding a pleasant habitat there. The body can also react with a fever in the event of bruises or other injuries. Some tumors also cause a fever in the body. In these cases, the fever arises from complex chains of reactions and does not always occur. It is usually accompanied by other symptoms that are also caused by the new formation.

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Diseases with this symptom

• cold
• Meningitis
• Three-day fever
• Tonsillar angina
• flu
• lung infection

• measles
• Scarlet fever
• abdominal influenza
• Bacterial infection
• tuberculosis
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

• Otitis media
• Appendicitis
• Inflammation of the thyroid gland
• ankylosing spondylitis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Blood poisoning

Diagnosis & course

If a fever is suspected, it can either be diagnosed by a doctor or the person affected or a relative / acquaintance by measuring their body temperature.

This is done with the help of a clinical thermometer, which is usually placed under the armpits or in the anus. Doctors already speak of an increased temperature from 37.6 ° C. In addition, the doctor will ask about accompanying symptoms - with a flu-like infection, for example, coughing or headaches and body aches occur. Blood and stool tests to determine inflammation levels complete the diagnosis.

Since there are different types of fever, it cannot be said of the course. However, it is noticeable in the respective curves that they have ascents and descents. The former are often fast, while the sinking is slower. Maximum values ​​can be observed at certain, always the same times (for example always at noon or in the evening).

Diseases

• cold
• bronchitis
• Tonsillar angina
• flu
• Scarlet fever
• measles
• rubella
• chickenpox
• typhus
• syphilis
• abdominal influenza
• Glandular Pfeiffer fever
• Yellow fever
• Typhus

When should you go to the doctor?

Many people consider fever to be a clear sign of illness. Others wonder to what extent a fever is actually a reason to see a doctor. Body temperature values ​​between 38 ° C and 39 ° C are considered to be moderate fever, the measured values ​​above as high fever.

Anyone who feels reasonably well despite a moderate fever and does not suffer from any chronic illness can often cope with home remedies and do not need a doctor. If you have a body temperature of 39 ° C or more, a doctor's visit is advisable. The chronically ill, pregnant women, infants and small children should definitely consult a doctor if they have a high fever.

Fever should not be viewed solely as a symptom of a cold or other infection. Fever can be one of many symptoms of a possibly life-threatening illness such as cancer. Globetrotters should always think of a tropical disease such as malaria when they have a fever after returning home. Rheumatism and other autoimmune diseases also often cause fever.

The treatment of the fever by a doctor is wiser, especially if you have a high fever, than going through the fever alone. An experienced doctor knows when a fever under his control will help the healing process and when it is better to prescribe fever-lowering agents. In addition, a fever gradually weakens the body and a visit to the doctor is stressful in addition to the fever.

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Treatment & Therapy

Home remedies ↵ for fever Regardless of the cause, fever is first treated with antipyretic agents that are designed to lower the fever. Well-known agents are, for example, paracetamol or ibuprofen. If the cause of the fever can be treated medically, it is an undesirable, unnecessary reaction that only puts people at risk. If his body temperature rises above 40 ° C, his own enzymes denature and he kills himself with the fever.

If a fever occurs as a reaction to the invasion of bacteria, antibiotics are used. These are administered, for example, in the form of tablets or applied to wounds as an ointment. Viruses can also trigger a fever, for example with the flu. In this case, a neuraminidase inhibitor is given to stop the virus from spreading.

With a fever, the fluid requirement is increased, so it is particularly important to ensure that there is sufficient fluid intake. In the first phase, in which chills are often felt, the body should avoid losing heat. Cooling measures are useful at extremely high temperatures. B. Ice packs placed in the groin.

Physical rest, i.e. avoidance of physical and mental overexertion, is recommended. Fever above 40 ° C must be treated with antipyretic therapy. Children and the elderly in particular are sensitive to high fever. Febrile seizures can occur in young children, especially after a rapid rise in fever.

Outlook & forecast

In the case of a fever, the patient usually does not need to go to hospital and only rarely needs to see a doctor. Fever is always triggered when the body defends itself against a virus or infection and is usually the forerunner of a cold and the flu.

Anyone who suffers from a fever should above all give the body plenty of rest and relaxation. The immune system can regenerate itself through rest. In most cases, the patient's fever drops after a few hours or at most after a few days.

If you have a fever, you should never go to work or other physical activities, as this puts a lot of strain on the body, which slows healing. If the fever is relatively high, medication can also be taken to relieve the fever. This mainly includes pain relievers, which can also lower the fever.

If the fever is very high and persistent, a doctor must be consulted. If so, the fever could be linked to a worse infection. In most cases, however, fever is quite harmless and can be treated relatively well by home remedies and bed rest. A week should be allowed for complete regeneration.

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prevention

Fever caused by infections is the only form that can be effectively prevented. You can protect yourself against colds, for example, with warm clothing, and you can get vaccinated against flu. If you do get sick, it is important to take care of yourself - you should also see a doctor in order to have the disease treated in good time.

With open wounds, hygiene is the top priority to prevent a fever. The wound must be cleaned, disinfected and kept germ-free as directed by a doctor. Preventive fever in the body can be treated with antipyretic agents, but you should seek advice from your doctor.

You can do that yourself

Fever usually occurs whenever the body has to fight a virus or other intruder in the body and has to increase the body temperature to do so. Therefore, a fever is always a sign of infection, the flu, or just a cold. Most of the time, the fever goes away on its own without the patient having to do anything about it.

It is important to give the body rest and relaxation. Bed rest speeds healing. If the fever is high, the patient can help with medication. Antipyretic drugs can be effective here. However, they should only be taken to a small extent, as they are relatively difficult for the stomach to digest. You only need to see a doctor if the fever is extremely high and does not go away on its own. It is important that the patient consumes plenty of water in the event of an infection.

In the event of an infection through certain foods, only water and lean food should be consumed here to protect the stomach. In order to always keep an eye on the fever, the use of a clinical thermometer is very advisable. This is available in every pharmacy and gives relatively reliable values ​​about your own body temperature.