Fever
Fever is a condition in which the body temperature is elevated by more than 37 degrees Celsius. As a rule, such a symptom is characteristic of infectious diseases with different genesis. In addition, fever is characterized by thirst, confusion, headache, hyperemia of the skin.
CAUSES OF FEVER
As a rule, fever is a consequence of infectious processes in the body that are caused by parasites, viruses or bacteria. Fever can be caused by a relapse of an existing chronic disease, dehydration, heat stroke or injury.
Fever is a reaction to intoxication of the body caused by an exacerbation of kidney disease or rheumatoid arthritis. Fever can manifest itself in some oncological diseases (lymphoma), acute abdominal diseases, myocardial infarction.
SYMPTOMS OF FEVER
The main symptoms of a feverish state are: a feeling of euphoria, aching bones, headache, hyperemia of the skin. The patient complains of thirst, increased sweating, chills and trembling. A person’s breathing becomes noticeably faster, there is no appetite, confusion of speech and consciousness is manifested, which in some cases turn into delirium. Younger children show increased irritability, refusal to feed, unreasonable crying.
With the exacerbation of chronic diseases that cause fever, complaints may be added to the already mentioned symptoms that are directly related to the pathology, the relapse of which occurred in this case.
It is necessary to call a doctor at home if the temperature of a child who is less than three months old has exceeded 37.5 degrees, as well as if the high temperature lasts for more than two days. Children from 6 months to 6 years old may experience seizures, in this case, a pediatrician’s consultation is required.
Emergency medical care is necessary if, at elevated temperatures, there is rigidity of the occipital muscles, a skin rash (especially if it has a red color, in the form of large blisters) and abdominal pain.
In an adult, during a fever, swelling, skin rashes, pain in the joints may occur, all this is a reason for immediate medical attention.
An increase in temperature during pregnancy can be a symptom not only of exacerbation of chronic diseases, but also of the presence of infection. At elevated temperatures, a pregnant woman may be disturbed by a cough with greenish or yellowish sputum, pain during urination, vomiting, dry mouth, sore throat and ears, acute headache, increased irritability, confused consciousness.
diagnostics
The diagnosis of this condition consists entirely of an assessment of the objective status of the patient. If a specific diagnosis is suspected of a particular cause causing a feverish state, a specific diagnosis is used. It is also important to study the patient’s anamnesis.
TREATMENT OF FEVER
The main direction in the treatment of fever at home is control over body temperature, preservation of human vitality, normalization of water–salt balance. The patient requires bed rest and light, but nutritious food. You can not take a bath and excessively wrap the patient. The temperature should change at least 6 times a day. If the temperature rises above 38 degrees, it is necessary to take antipyretic drugs.
During the medical examination, the reason that provoked the increase in body temperature is established in order to prescribe the necessary treatment. In severe feverish conditions, the patient must be hospitalized in order to normalize the temperature readings in a hospital.
