Last Updated on November 5, 2022 by Shabnam Sengupta
Adult fever is a short-lived, active, but nonspecific immune response to infections and other insults. Since microbial infections, trauma or any other underlying medical condition can cause fever, adult fever is thus a useful diagnostic and prognostic indicator for doctors. This compilation summarizes the significance, causes, and stage at which adults with fever require medical attention.
Is it a good thing for adults to have a fever?
No, not at all times. Fever usually is an elevation in the normal body temperature. This increased temperature is the body’s natural defense against infection. This is because high body temperatures help get rid of infectious foreign bodies. As a result, fever is regarded as a good indicator because its occurrence indicates that the body’s defense mechanism is fighting an unwanted infection or the worsening of an underlying condition.
Please understand that the average human body temperature is 98.6 °F or 37 °C. However, “normal” body temperature varies. It also changes throughout the day, typically rising slightly after eating or exercising. In addition, afternoon temperatures are frequently higher than morning temperatures.
Why do adults get a fever?
Typically, viral or bacterial infections cause adult fever. Flu, chicken pox, measles, mumps, and COVID-19 are some of the common viral infections. Airway infections, stomach infections, and urinary tract infections are also common causes. Adult fevers may also occur as a result of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, as well as drug or vaccine reactions.
Fevers can be accompanied by symptoms such as sweating, chills, headache, muscle aches, rashes, restlessness, and weakness. Furthermore, adults can develop a fever with no other symptoms, and doctors may never fully determine the cause. This is referred to as “adult fever of unknown origin“. These flutters occur in response to common diseases that manifest in unusual ways. Neoplasia and non-infectious inflammatory diseases are examples of these.
When should a feverish adult seek medical attention?
It is important to remember that you should not ignore fever. As a result, any increase in body temperature should be checked and routinely monitored. Taking the temperature by mouth is the most common method. Flu fever usually goes away after a few days. However, if the high temperature persists or recurs for an extended period of time, or in cases of serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or cancer, seek immediate medical attention. Furthermore, pregnancy-related fevers, chemotherapy, and frequent infections necessitate urgent medical care.
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