When a person is infected with an infection, such as viruses and bacteria, symptoms begin to appear as an indication that something is wrong with the body. These symptoms may differ from one disease to another, and these symptoms may be accompanied by exposure of the infected person to a high body temperature or fever. What is fever, what are its types and causes, and what is its role in your body’s fight against germs? This is what you will know in this article, so follow us.

British researchers believe that fever is not just a symptom of the disease, but may help the series of mechanisms that regulate the human body’s immunity as it stimulates the activity of white blood cells and increases the production of antibodies.

What is a fever?

Fever is a temporary rise in body temperature above the normal range, which is an indication that the body has been exposed to something abnormal. We can distinguish a mild fever from a severe one by measuring the temperature. If the human body has a slight rise in temperature that may reach 38 degrees Celsius, it is considered a mild fever, but if the temperature rises above that, it is considered a severe fever.

For example, you may develop a mild fever when you suffer from the flu, which may prompt you to seek treatment and may decrease on its own, so a mild fever is a positive indicator that the immune system is working effectively against infection factors.

What are the causes of fever?

Fever often occurs when the body is infected with an infectious agent such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Fever may be associated with some other medical conditions such as certain types of cancer, coronary artery blockage, some blood disorders, side effects of some medications, and rheumatoid arthritis. It may appear after taking vaccinations such as the liver and diphtheria vaccine, and the fever may also result from physiological stresses such as strenuous exercise, sunstroke, or stroke, or it may result from an unknown cause.

What are the symptoms of a fever?

When we are healthy, the body temperature tends to reach 37 degrees Celsius, but when the body is exposed to an infection, a person often develops a high temperature or fever so that the body can eliminate some types of viruses and bacteria that are sensitive to temperature changes.

When a person has a fever, there is a decrease in the volume of both blood and urine as a result of the loss of water through increased sweating of the body. The rapid breakdown of protein in the body leads to increased excretion of nitrogenous products in the urine. So when the body temperature rises rapidly, the infected person may feel cold or goosebumps. In contrast, when the body temperature drops rapidly, the affected person may feel warm and the skin may be moist.

The most common symptoms of fever are:

Children or infants may have the following symptoms:

• Dermatitis
• lethargy
• pallor
• Inability to eat, drink or breastfeed
• Difficulty swallowing

In cases of severe fever, symptoms of fever may be:

• convulsions;
• diarrhea
• Skin rash
• Severe pain in parts of the body
• vomiting.

What are the types of fever?

Types of fever are divided into the following:

persistent fever

An infected person has a persistent fever if, within twenty-four hours, the person’s temperature remains above normal by not more than 1°C. Diseases associated with persistent fever include pneumonia, urinary tract infection, and typhoid fever.

intermittent fever

It is a type of fever that appears for a specific period of time, such as a few hours, and then disappears until the temperature stabilizes at its normal rate, then reappears again. Among the diseases associated with intermittent fever are malaria and blood poisoning.

Recurring fever

This type of fever is similar to a persistent fever in that the infected person will suffer from a continuous rise in temperature above the normal rate throughout the day, but the difference is that the temperature fluctuates more than 1 ° C in 24 hours. One of the diseases that causes this is infectious endocarditis, which causes Inflammation of the inner tissues of the heart.

Ways to take your temperature to see if you have a fever

There are many ways to measure temperature, including:

Oral

Taking an oral temperature is the most common choice for adults because you need to close your mouth with the thermometer in it for at least 20 seconds in order to get an accurate reading as it is placed under the tongue towards the back of the mouth which can be difficult to achieve With children and babies.

And when using this type of thermometer, you must refrain from eating and drinking 15 minutes before using it, because food and drinks may change the temperature of the mouth and thus give an inaccurate reading. And be sure to disinfect the thermometer after use with warm water and antibacterial soap.

by ear

An ear thermometer (ear thermometer or tympanic thermometer) measures the temperature of the tympanic membrane “eardrum”. This type is based on digital readings, and this type is a good choice for use with children from the age of 6 months and for adults due to its speed in displaying results. But be careful when using not to insert the ear thermometer into the ear canal, as it depends on the use of infrared rays.

through the armpit

Place the thermometer in the armpit, press the arm against the body, and wait a bit to get a proper reading.

through the anus

This method is used on infants and children. Vaseline is placed on the bulb of the thermometer, and its tip is inserted 1 to 2.5 cm into the anal canal, then it is removed after 3 minutes or when the device beeps.

Strip thermometer

A plastic strip thermometer that relies on color change to show temperature is the least accurate way to measure heat. This method depends on placing the tape on the forehead, and after a minute has passed, read the temperature according to the color.

Without a thermometer

If you do not have a thermometer, you can measure the temperature by touch, which is the most common method, but also the least accurate. In order to know the temperature of the infected person, first touch your skin and then the infected person’s skin so that you can compare the two temperatures.

Fever treatment

When treating a fever, identifying the underlying cause of the condition is essential. It is best to leave a low-grade fever without treatment, as a mild fever disappears on its own after one to three days, in order to help the body resist infectious agents on its own by the immune system.

In cases of high fever, it can be treated by using acetaminophen or ibuprofen, which affects the temperature regulating areas in the brain, after consulting a doctor.

And you should be aware that a fever that lasts longer than usual, even if it is a mild fever, may be considered a serious matter, as it may be an indication of a serious health condition or the presence of severe infectious factors that the body alone cannot resist.

Diet tips for dealing with fever

After you know what a fever is, you should know some nutritional advice to deal with a fever. If the affected person suffers from a fever, he may also suffer from a loss of appetite, and the body works to burn more calories so that the body can fight infection. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the immune system with the nutrients it needs in order to combat infection factors.

Among the foods that will help you in the healing process is to eat easy-to-digest foods such as chicken soup, yogurt, coconut water, herbs, and fruits, many of which may contain vitamin C such as kiwi, orange, and strawberry. And foods rich in beta-carotene such as apricots, beef liver, beets, cantaloupe, carrots, sweet potatoes, tangerines, tomatoes and watermelon.

And you should eat foods rich in vitamin E such as almonds, hazelnuts, salmon, and sunflower seeds. Where foods rich in vitamins and minerals help support the functions of the immune system and get rid of fever.

On the other hand, you should avoid drinking drinks that contain soda or caffeine, because they can cause dehydration, and stay away from consuming sugary foods and drinks, as they may cause inflammation in the body and hinder the functioning of your immune system.

Ways to prevent infection with diseases that cause fever

If you want to reduce your chances of contracting a disease that causes a fever, you should adopt the following healthy habits:

• Maintaining good health habits such as washing hands with soap and warm water frequently, especially when dealing with animals, using the toilet, or before and after preparing and eating food.
• Limiting being in crowds and people who may be infected with infectious agents.
• Properly cook and store food to avoid food poisoning and the risks that may result from it.
• Obtaining the required vaccinations, whether for children, when traveling or otherwise.

When do you have to see a doctor when you have a fever?

You should see a doctor if your temperature is 100°F (39°C) or higher, if you have had a fever for more than three days, or if symptoms of a fever include severe sore throat, chest pain, rash, stiff neck, or shortness of breath. In the event that the temperature in infants rises above 38 degrees Celsius, you should consult a doctor immediately, even if the fever is not accompanied by any other symptoms.