A short-term increase in the body temperature is referred in medical terms as pyrexia. Commonly known as fever, it is a common occurrence in both adults and children. As the temperature of your body becomes higher than the normal temperature, it becomes indicative of an underlying illness which may be an infection in some part of the body such as the throat or stomach.
Having high fever is an important sign that some changes are occurring in the body. The temperature of our body is regulated by the hypothalamus which is present at the base of the brain. The state of fever is experienced by almost every human being at some point of time irrespective of sex or age. Many medical experts are of the opinion that fever is a natural defense of the body against infection. Relevant treatment for fever is recommended by medical experts after assessing the symptoms carefully and conducting certain diagnostic tests.
Causes of high fever in adults
Common symptoms
High fever comes with a lot of physical discomforts. It is only after adequate treatment for the fever that you can feel better. High fever is typically characterized by a rise in oral temperature as it soars above 100°F (37.8°C) to touch 103°F. Temperature in adults can be measured with a thermometer placed under the tongue.
General symptoms that accompany high fever include: body aches, waves of chills, muscle aches, loss of appetite, sweating, irritability, dehydration, headache, and general exhaustion.
However, specific symptoms accompanied by high fever can be taken as warning signs of a deep rooted illness. These include: unusual skin rash, persistent vomiting, abdominal pain while urinating, mental haziness, convulsions or seizures, severe headache, pain in the ears, neck, teeth, chest, abdomen, flank, rectum, or joints.
Diagnosis of fever
In order to diagnose high fever, the doctor will analyze your physical symptoms and medical history. Following that, in most cases, he will conduct a physical examination along with the necessary blood tests.
Treatment for fever
Medical treatment is necessary if the fever is 102 degree or higher. Depending on the cause of high fever, medical experts will suggest the appropriate treatment for fever. Antibiotics are generally prescribed in case of bacterial infection, such as pneumonia or strep throat. However, for viral infections, taking antipyretics helps to alleviate high fever and reduce discomfort. Cooling measures with a tepid water mist and cooling blankets is required only if the temperature is about 105° F or higher.
Prevention of fever
Some preventive tips: