A fever is a part of the torso's protective response to illness. When sure pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, enter the body, the immune arrangement signals the body to increase its temperature in an attempt to destroy them.

However, severe illness can cause the mechanisms that maintain a normal body temperature to become awry, and the results tin can lead to extremely high temperatures that tin can be life-threatening.

This commodity volition discuss how a fever affects an adult'south body and when it is crusade for business organisation.

If a person is concerned about a fever or how they feel overall, they should talk to a dr..

Adult woman in bed with a fever Share on Pinterest
Doctors consider a temperature to a higher place 104°F (40°C) to be a high-form fever.

As a general rule, adults should consider seeking medical attention if their temperature reaches above 104 °F (xl°C). Doctors consider this temperature to be a high-form fever.

However, a fever is not the but symptom a person has when they are sick. A person should consider other symptoms, such as airsickness, breathing issues, confusion, or how they feel overall when deciding whether they need medical attention.

Doctors categorize a fever by the reading on the thermometer, how long the fever lasts, and whether it keeps going up and down.

Normal body temperature can fluctuate. According to a 2019 systematic review, typical body temperatures vary according to a person's historic period, and whether they take their temperature orally or rectally. The table below indicates a range of normal body temperatures.

It is important to note that temperatures can fluctuate. A normal rectal body temperature ranges from 98.half dozen–100.4°F.

The following are the classifications of torso temperature ranges, according to an article in the Periodical of Infection and Public Health:

  • Mild or depression-form fever: 100.four–102.2°F (38–39°C)
  • Moderate grade fever: 102.2–104.0°F (39°C–xl°C)
  • Loftier-grade fever: 104.i–106.0°F (forty°C–41.1°C)

These temperature values are rectal measurements, which doctors consider the nearly accurate.

However, the article also emphasizes that doctors can better diagnose a person's condition by considering their other symptoms rather than the severity of their temperature.

Sustained or continuous fever

A sustained fever is when a person has a temperature above normal that does not fluctuate past more than than 1.5°F (i°C) for 24 hours.

Causes may include:

  • Gram-negative bacteria: These are leaner that can cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and surgical site infections.
  • Typhoid: Typhoid is a bacterial infection that can cause fever.
  • Acute bacterial meningitis: This is a severe infection that requires emergency medical aid.
  • Urinary tract infection (UTI): Cystitis is an infection of the float, and urethritis is an infection of the urethra.

Intermittent fever

An intermittent fever occurs when a person experiences a raised temperature for several hours a mean solar day. The temperature and then goes dorsum to normal earlier spiking once more.

Common causes may include:

  • Malaria: This is an infection that some mosquitoes transmit.
  • Tuberculosis (TB): This is an infection of the lungs.
  • Lymphoma: This is a form of cancer that begins in the cells.
  • Sepsis: This occurs when the body has an extreme reaction to an infection.

Remittent fever

This is a daily fever that is always higher than normal but may fluctuate as much as 3.6°F (2°C) throughout the day.

Common causes may include:

  • Infective endocarditis: This is an infection of the endocardium, which is the membrane that lines the inside of the heart.
  • Rickettsiae infections: This is an infection transmitted by ticks, mites, and lice.

People who feel an internal temperature of 104°F (xl°C) and higher for prolonged periods can develop hyperthermia. For this reason, it is essential to try to continue a fever from becoming too loftier.

Potential complications from a high-class fever can include:

  • seizures
  • unsteadiness
  • unconsciousness
  • lethargy
  • coma

A high-form fever can also cause cognitive dysfunction, which affects a person's memory, comprehension, reasoning, and trouble-solving ability. Some people may also have difficulty paying attention.

Typically, these symptoms are only temporary, and most people recover. However, in extreme circumstances, some people feel permanent changes.

Fever is a common symptom of the novel coronavirus, known every bit COVID-nineteen.

According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in February 2020, data on 1,099 people in China who had COVID-nineteen showed that 43.eight% had a fever on admission to the hospital. An estimated 88.7% developed a fever during their hospitalization.

The authors defined a fever equally an axillary (armpit) temperature of 99.viii°F (37.7°C) or higher.

Other symptoms include:

  • a coughing
  • shortness of breath
  • nausea
  • airsickness
  • diarrhea

If a person suspects they may have COVID-19, they should telephone call a doc or health section for further testing.

For live updates on the latest developments regarding the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, click here.

A low-grade fever can be the trunk's protective measure out. Scientists are still in argue whether a person should treat a low-grade fever.

However, if a person does have a fever or does not feel well, they could take fever-reducing medications, such as:

  • acetaminophen
  • ibuprofen
  • aspirin

As a fever is typically a symptom of another condition, a person may require different treatments depending on the crusade.

If a person has an underlying bacterial illness, a dr. may prescribe antibiotics. These can treat the infection, which can assist reduce fever.

Other steps a person tin can take to brand themselves more comfortable include resting, drinking plenty of fluids, wearing loose wearable, and taking cool or lukewarm baths.

There are some steps a person tin can take to aid prevent getting a fever:

  • Always embrace the mouth and olfactory organ when sneezing and wash hands immediately subsequently sneezing or coughing.
  • Refrain from sharing personal items, such equally utensils, cups, and even toothbrushes.
  • Try not to touch on the face. A person tin hands transmit the pathogen from their face to their nose or rima oris, which might let the germs to enter the body.
  • Avoid contact with people who are sick. This can help prevent the transmission of illness.
  • Maintain practiced hygiene. Washing hands may help preclude bacteria and viruses from spreading.

Learn more about washing hands properly here.

A fever is a protective machinery for the body as the immune system works to fight against illness in a variety of means.

If a person feels very unwell in improver to having a fever or they are already immunocompromised due to pre-existing conditions, they should seek medical attention.

A person should besides see their doc if they have tried to command their fever at home, only over-the-counter medicines and other treatments are ineffective.

A fever tin become dangerous if it reaches 104°F (twoscore°C) or higher.