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Oct 6, 2022 · The 5 types of fever are intermittent, remittent, continuous or sustained, hectic, and relapsing. Fever is a sign that your body is fighting an infection or illness. Learn the signs of fever, what causes fever, how doctors diagnose fever, and what you can do to treat fever.
- Overview
- What is a fever?
- Types of fevers
- When is a fever serious?
- Causes of serious fevers
- Treatments
- When to go the ER
- The bottom line
You may need to get plenty of rest and drink fluids to help your body heal. But if you have a high or long-lasting fever longer than 3 days, you may need urgent medical care.
A fever is a common side effect of illness like the flu. It happens when there is a temporary rise in body temperature. A fever is usually a sign that your immune system is busy fighting an infection or other illness.
In babies and toddlers even a slight fever may be a sign of a serious illness. In adults a fever is not usually serious or life-threatening.
However, sometimes a fever in adults can be a warning signal that something is not right. A high or persistent fever might be a sign of a serious health condition.
A fever is normally a short-term rise in temperature that helps your body get rid of illness. A fever begins when your immune system makes more white blood cells to fight an infection. The increase in white blood cells triggers your brain to heat your body up.
This causes a fever. In response, your body tries to cool itself off by tightening up on blood flow to your skin and contracting muscles. This makes you shiver and may cause muscle aches.
Adults typically have a fever if their body temperature increases to 100.4°F (38°C). This is called a low grade fever. A high grade fever happens when your body temperature is 103°F (39.4°C) or above.
Most fevers usually go away by themselves after 1 to 3 days. A persistent or recurrent fever may last or keep coming back for up to 14 days.
A fever that lasts longer than normal may be serious even if it is only a slight fever. This is because a recurrent fever might be a sign of a more serious infection or health condition.
Common fever symptoms in adults include:
•sweating
•chills (shivering)
Call your doctor immediately if you have a high grade fever — when your temperature is 103°F (39.4°C) or higher. Get medical help if you have any kind of fever for more than three days. Let your doctor know if your symptoms get worse or if you have any new symptoms.
Serious symptoms
A fever may be a sign of serious illness if you have:
•a severe headache
•dizziness
•sensitivity to bright light
If you have serious fever symptoms, let your doctor know if you have recently traveled to a different country or attended an event that had lot of people. This may help your doctor find out the cause.
Common causes of a fever in adults are:
•viral infection (like the flu or a cold)
•bacterial infection
•fungal infection
•food poisoning
A fever is not normally harmful on its own. Most fevers go away within a few hours to days as your body defeats an infection.
Help yourself feel better with these at-home flu remedies:
•stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, such as:
•water
•juice
•soup
A fever may be a sign of serious illness. A high fever can also cause serious side effects.
Emergency Symptoms
Get emergency medical attention by going to the ER or calling an ambulance if you have any of these symptoms:
•seizure or convulsions
•fainting or loss of consciousness
•confusion
A fever in adults is usually not harmful on its own. It is a sign that your body is dealing with an infection or other illness. In some cases a high or long-lasting fever can be a sign of a serious illness. You may need urgent medical treatment.
Do not ignore a fever. Get plenty of rest and fluids to help your body heal. See your doctor if you have a fever that lasts longer than 3 days or if you have other severe symptoms.
People also ask
What are the 5 types of fever?
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May 7, 2022 · A fever is a temporary rise in body temperature. It's one part of an overall response from the body's immune system. A fever is usually caused by an infection. For most children and adults, a fever may be uncomfortable. But it usually isn't a cause for concern.
A person has a fever when their temperature is higher than 100°F (37°C). Learn about fever types, symptoms, causes, and treatments in this article.
Nov 16, 2023 · Types of Fever Fevers have a wide range of causes, and you might hear your doctor call your fever a certain name. That's because doctors classify five types of fevers based on their...
Home Health Conditions and Diseases. Fever. What is a fever? A fever is a body temperature that is higher than normal. It usually means there is an abnormal process occurring in the body. Exercise, hot weather, and common childhood immunizations can also make body temperature rise. What causes a fever? A fever is not an illness by itself.
Overview. What is a fever? A fever is when your body temperature rises higher than normal. A fever itself isn’t an illness. Rather, it’s a symptom of a wide range of health conditions. When your body temperature rises a few degrees above normal, it can be a sign that your immune system has been activated, often to fight an infection.
