Fever is an uncomfortable and potentially dangerous condition that can happen to people of all ages. Fever refers to the elevation of body heat higher than the normal range of a threshold value which is 36.5 0C to 37.5 0C. It's caused by a variety of factors, ranging from the common cold and flu to certain serious conditions. Understanding what those causes are, as well as how they're treated, can help you better manage and treat fevers if or when they occur. So let’s take a look at what causes fever in the next section.
Causes of Fever
Listed below are the underlying causes of fever:
- Infection: Viruses or bacteria can trigger a rise in body temperature as a result of the body's complex immune response. Infections can occur in different regions of the body, including the lungs, throat, ears, skin, and internal organs.
- Inflammation: Whether it's caused by chronic inflammatory diseases, infections, or trauma/injury, inflammation can lead to an increase in body temperature. Examples of chronic inflammatory diseases associated with fever include inflammatory bowel syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Immunization in Children: It's not uncommon for children to experience a temporary rise in body temperature after receiving vaccinations. However, this typically subsides within a few days.
- Underlying Diseases: Fever cases in clinical settings are frequently linked to conditions such as sepsis, malignancies, ischemia, drug reactions, and neurogenic diseases.
- Blood Clotting: The presence of blood clots, regardless of the cause, can also lead to fever.
- Hyperthyroidism: Overactive thyroid glands can trigger episodes of fever.
- Illegal Drug Use: Certain illegal drugs, including amphetamines and cocaine, have the potential to induce fever.
Conclusion
If you were wondering what causes fever, we hope this helped. While many cases of fever are treatable with over-the-counter medications and good hydration, more serious causes may require intensive intervention from your doctor or specialist. In such cases, having health insurance can provide timely support for treatments. Ultimately, it is important to act on any symptoms quickly so as to avoid further deterioration of your health.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.