Symptoms and Causes

What are the symptoms of Fever?

The most common fever symptoms are:

⦁ Feeling dull.
⦁ Shivering.
⦁ Headache.
⦁ Sleepiness.
⦁ Lethargy.
⦁ Muscle aches.
⦁ Loss of appetite.
⦁ Irritability.
⦁ Dehydration.
⦁ Sweating.

What causes Fever?

Fever might be caused by:

Viral Infections: Fevers help the body fight viruses like the flu by slowing viral growth and boosting immunity.

Bacterial Infections: Fever can result from bacterial toxins, aiding the immune system in combating infection.

Heat Exhaustion: Overheating or dehydration disrupts temperature balance, raising body temperature.

Inflammatory Conditions: Diseases like rheumatoid arthritis trigger inflammation that signals the hypothalamus to increase temperature.

Cancerous Tumors: Some cancers release substances or cause inflammation that elevates body temperature.

Medications: Certain drugs, including antibiotics or seizure medications, can raise temperature by affecting the body’s regulation or immune response.

Vaccines: Immunizations, like DTaP or COVID vaccines, may cause temporary fever as the immune system responds.

Diagnosis of Fever

Diagnosis involves a combination of history, physical exam, lab tests, and imaging to identify the underlying cause of fever.

• Medical History: The doctor asks about the onset, duration, pattern of fever, associated symptoms (like cough, rash, or pain), recent travel, medications, and vaccination history.
• Physical Examination: Checking vital signs, looking for signs of infection, inflammation, or other underlying conditions.
• Laboratory Tests: Laboratory tests for fever include blood tests, such as CBC and inflammatory markers, to detect infection or inflammation; urine tests to check for urinary tract infections; and blood cultures when sepsis is suspected.
• Imaging Studies: X-rays, ultrasound, or CT scans may be used if an internal infection or inflammation is suspected.