Pyrexia, commonly referred to as fever, is an abnormally high body temperature condition. This rise in temperature is commonly regarded as life threatening, yet it is considered as the body’s defensive mechanism to fight various diseases.
Pyrexia is frequently accompanied by other symptoms such as headache, fatigue, and cold. Medications can treat a slight increase in body temperature. A rapid and significant increase in body temperature over the normal range should be treated professionally since it could indicate a serious condition like cancer.
What are the different types of pyrexia of unknown cause?
There are different types of pyrexia, depending on the nature of the fever. Here are the few common types of pyrexia of unknown origin:
Intermittent fever:
The condition known as intermittent fever occurs when the patient gets a fever, usually at night, but their temperature goes back to normal the next day.
Remittent fever:
Remittent fever is a condition when the pyrexia temperature fluctuates that stays high for longer than 24 hours before returning to normal.
Hectic fever:
Hectic fever is distinguished by significant temperature swings between the highs and lows, and it frequently comes on in combination with chills and sweats.
Continuous fever:
Fever that lasts more than 24 hours and doesn’t significantly change is referred to as continuous or maintained fever.
Relapsing:
Relapsing fever is a type of an intermittent fever that returns or raises body temperature after a period of days or weeks when it has subsided.
What leads to the cause of pyrexia?
The brain’s hypothalamus gland controls how warm or cold the body is. The immunological response causes the hypothalamus to boost the body’s temperature when it recognises a sickness, which results in a fever. This intricate physiological mechanism raises body temperature and fosters an environment where the immune system can combat an infection or disease.
Among the frequent causes of fever are:
- Bacterial infections like the salmonella
- Viral infections like influenza, common cold
- Heat exhaustion
- Extreme dehydration
- Cancers
What are the signs and symptoms of pyrexia?
- Headaches
- Shivers or chills
- Sweating
- Appetite loss
- Mood changes
- Joint pains
- Seizures in children
If you notice any of these signs, reach out to the general medicine doctors in Coimbatore to seek immediate help.
What temperature is considered as pyrexia?
Low grade fever:
A fever is defined by the medical community as a body temperature that is higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Low-grade fever is often defined as a body temperature of 100.4 and 102.2 degrees.
If the body temperature is not elevated, medications are not usually required.
In most cases, a low-grade fever doesn’t need to be treated unless it affects a very young child or is accompanied by other unsettling symptoms like confusion or appetite loss without throwing up.
High grade fever:
The presence of a more concerning infection may be indicated by a rise in body temperature above 102.2 degrees.
The majority of fevers go away in a few days, but in some cases, it may be necessary to visit a doctor, either at an urgent care center or a primary care office.
Think about visiting a doctor if
- Long lasting fever
- Including symptoms like confusion
- Failed response to medications
How is pyrexia condition diagnosed?
Pyrexia is typically a sign of a deeper issue. Your doctor will perform a physical examination, find out more about a child’s health history, and then make a diagnosis. The following symptoms, including chills or earaches, may help the doctor make a diagnosis. The doctor could suggest testing to verify the diagnosis if they have a suspicion of an infection or a disease like malaria or typhoid.
How is pyrexia treated?
The body’s defense strategy against infection and sickness is pyrexia, or fever. The underlying problem is frequently addressed by treatment for pyrexia, which also includes preventing a high fever. Your pyrexia doctor may prescribe you to try the following treatments:
Medications:
To help in the treatment of bacterial infections that cause fever, antibiotics are frequently administered. The doctor may advise rest and hydration in the event of minor viral infections, but in severe cases, antiviral and immunity-boosting medications are advised.
Fluid intake:
When the temperature of the body rises, there are legitimate worries about dehydration and electrolyte loss. If you have a fever, increase the amount of clear, warm fluids you consume.
Dietary changes:
To ease the strain on the digestive system and maintain the availability of vital nutrients, digestible foods are advised.
Proper rest:
Getting plenty of rest is crucial to assisting the natural healing process of the body.
Assistive therapy:
The doctor can advise dabbing warm, moist towels on the body or placing damp cloths on the wrists and forehead to lower extremely high temperatures.
What are the tips to prevent pyrexia?
You might be able to avoid getting a fever by limiting the exposure to contagious infections. The following advice can be useful in avoiding pyrexia:
- Ensure to handwash frequently and advise your children to do the same. Apply soap to the on both sides of each hand, and then demonstrate to your kids how to thoroughly wash their hands by rinsing them off under running water.
- Keep a hand sanitizer handy if you don’t have soap or water.
- The most common entry points for microorganisms into your body causing infection are your nose, mouth, and eyes, therefore refrain from touching these areas.
- Cover your mouth and nose when one coughs or sneezes, and teach your kids to do the same. Move away from people as when you sneeze or cough to minimize the spread of germs.
Reach out to the best general physician in Coimbatore to seek help for pyrexia at the right time.
