Fever is a condition where the temperature of our bodies is generally higher than normal. The average temperature of a person’s body is generally 98°F and anything above that is considered as fever. When your body’s temperature rises by a few degrees, it means that it is fighting infections, and it is healthy. If your fever rises above 102°F, then it is advisable to visit a doctor.
Here are the symptoms you’ll find in your body when you have a fever –
1. You feel very chilly, and have shiverings in your body
2. You generally would have body aches and headaches.
3. Fatigue or tiredness in your body
4. Constant sweating
Here are a few reasons as to why fever is caused in a person:
Fever is generally caused due to any changes in the weather or also due to any viral infections in the body. It is also caused due to the most common factors like:
– Cold
– Bronchitis
– Urinary tract infection
– Earaches
– Strep Throat, etc.
If your fever is mild, which is a temperature less than 101°F, then medication is usually not suggested. You can drink plenty of fluids and get some good rest to be cured from it. However, for higher temperatures, it is always advisable to visit a doctor. As a self medication, you can always take Aspirin, Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen. Also note that Aspirin must not be given to children under 17, as it may cause Reye’s syndrome.
There are a few unavoidable situations where you will need immediate assistance of a doctor and here a few signs you need to look out for:
– When you have a fever with a stiff neck, or irritability in the body
– When the temperature of your body remains at 103°F even after home medication
– When your fever lasts for a very long time, usually for more than 2 days
– When you have high fever with a rash
– Any seizures.
Any of these conditions shows that the treatment must be changed, and hence a doctor’s visit is a must.
