Fever is a frequent medical sign that describes
an increase in internal body temperature to levels above normal.
Technically, any body temperature above the normal oral measurement of
98.6oF (37oC) or the normal rectal temperature of 99oF (37.2oC) is
considered to be elevated. However, these are averages, and your normal
temperature may actually be 1oF (0.6oC) or more, above or below the
average of 98.6oF. Body temperature can also vary up to 1oF (0.6oC)
throughout the day. The last is a medical emergency, because it approaches the upper limit
compatible with human life. If the temperature is taken by another
route (mouth, ear, armpit), then the reading needs to be converted to
the equivalent core body temperature.
Thus, fever is not considered medically significant until body
temperature is above 100.4oF (38oC). Fever serves as one of the body's
natural defenses against bacteria and viruses that cannot live at a
higher temperature. For that reason, low fevers should normally go
untreated, unless accompanied by troubling symptoms.
A feverish individual has a general feeling of cold despite an
increased body temperature, and increases in heart rate, muscle tone
and shivering, all of which are caused by the body's attempts to
counteract the newly-perceived hypothermia and reach the new
thermoregulatory set-point
Fevers of 104oF (40oC) or higher demand immediate home treatment and
subsequent medical attention, as they can result in delirium and
convulsions, particularly in children.
Normal human body temperature through oral measurement is 36.8±0.7oC
(98.2±1.3oF).
Children develop higher temperatures with activities like playing, but
this is not fever because their set-point is normal. Elderly patients
may have a decreased ability to generate body heat during a fever, so
even a low-grade fever can have serious underlying causes in geriatrics.
Different locations in the body from which temperature can be measured:
1.Armpit
2.Mouth, under the tongue
3.Eardrum
4.Anus
Types:
According to one common rule of thumb, fever is generally classified
for convenience as an anal (core) temperature of:
Fever
classification
Grade
℃
℉
Low
grade
38-39
100.4-102.2
Moderate
39-40
102.2-104.0
High-grade
40-41.1
104.0-106.0
Hyperpyrexia
>41.1
>106.0
Causes:
Fever is a common symptom of many medical conditions:
Treatment:
Fever should necessary taken into consideration as it indicate that
there is something is wrong in body.
1.Fluid intake must be increased in fever to avoid dehydration.
2.The cause has to be find out and that has to be treated .
3.In cases of hyperpyrexia, cold wet cloth must be put on the forehead
to decrease fever.
4.Homoeopathy- homoeopathic medicines act marvelously in treating the
cases. The selection of medicines must be based on symptom
similarity. This will also help in treating the cause/s.
Please E-mail dr_ramanand@rediffmail.com for any questions/treatment