23 August 2021

Fever

Fever is a condition where the body temperature increases to more than 38°C. Fever indicates the presence of disease or other conditions in the body.

Fever generally occurs as a reaction of the immune system to fight viral, bacterial, fungal or parasitic infections that cause disease. Some diseases that often cause fever are flu, sore throat and urinary tract infections. Fever can happen to anyone, from babies, children, to adults.

Apart from disease, there are several conditions that can cause fever, namely exposure to excessive hot weather and temperatures, the menstrual cycle, reactions after immunizations in children, and side effects of certain medications.

Although sometimes worrying, most fevers caused by viral infections will go away on their own. However, if the fever has reached a temperature of more than 39°C, treatment is needed to overcome the discomfort caused by the fever and treat the cause.

Symptoms and Causes of Fever

Fever is characterized by an increase in body temperature to more than 38°C from normal body temperature, which is between 36.1°C to 37.2°C.

Fever is a symptom of various conditions and diseases. Usually, fever will be accompanied by other symptoms due to the underlying condition. Some of them are :

• Headache
• Sweating
• Shivering
• Weak
• Muscle ache
• Loss of appetite

Fever can be caused by various conditions, such as:

• Infectious diseases, such as viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic infections
• Diseases that cause chronic inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
• Receiving several types of immunizations, such as diphtheria and tetanus.
• Consuming certain medications
• Cancer.

Treatment and Prevention

Because fever is a symptom of a condition or disease, treatment needs to be adjusted to the cause.

Fever can cause discomfort. This can be overcome by resting, drinking enough water, and taking fever-reducing medication, such as paracetamol.

If the fever is caused by an infection, the doctor will give medicine to treat the infection. Some drugs that can be given are:

• Antiviral drugs
• Antibiotic medication
• Antifungal medication

Fever can be prevented only if the condition or disease that causes fever can be avoided.

Reviewed by: dr. Innosensius Ibnu Ishwara, M.K.K.

Source: Alodokter Health Article

Foto : freepik.com/geargodz