Gastric Cancer
September 17, 2021
Air Pollution
November 25, 2021
Viral Fever
Viral fever is a collective term given to a wide range of viral infections in people with low immunity. Getting a fever is a sign that your body is trying to fight the bacteria or virus that has caused the infection. It is common among children and older people due to their lower immunity.
Symptoms
It is essential to know the symptoms of viral fever early. People developing viral fever might suffer from:
- Increased body temperature, soaring up to about 104 degrees
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Both joint and muscle aches
- Headache
- Face swelling
- Frequent chills
- Redness of eyes
- Dehydration
- Fatigue
- Skin rashes
- Appetite loss
Most of these symptoms will disappear within 3-4 days, but people should always talk to their doctor if they persist or worsen.
What Causes Viral Fever?
When a person gets infected by foreign pathogens, the body fights back by raising its temperature. Some ways in which you could be infected with a virus includes:
Inhalation: When someone with the infection coughs, sneezes or talks, it causes the viruses to travel through the air in droplets. If you breathe the droplets containing the virus, you may also catch the virus.
Ingestion: If a person eats food and drinks contaminated with viruses, they can develop an infection. These viruses include enteroviruses and norovirus.
Staying in Contaminated Areas: People staying in a contaminated or dirty area can catch viral infections.
Body Fluids Exchange: Blood and body fluids can contain viruses, which can be passed onto from one person to another. For instance, you can develop a viral fever if there is a blood transfusion and injury from the pricking of needles used by an infected person.
Risk Factors
The risk for person-to-person transmission rises multifold when the viral load is highest. The later stages of illness are characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, and shock. Here are some factors that may raise the risk of developing the flu:
Weakened Immune System: People who have undergone cancer treatments or organ transplant have weakened immune system. They are more likely to catch the flu or develop complications.
Chronic Illnesses: People with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, metabolic disorders, heart disease, nervous system diseases, an airway abnormality, and kidney, liver, or blood disease, may quickly catch influenza.
Pregnancy: Getting the viral fever during pregnancy is quite common. Viral fever can cause severe illness in pregnant women.
How to Avoid Spreading Viral Fever
Wash your hands: This is the best way to prevent the flu from spreading. Tell young children to wash their hands often with warm soapy water.
Cover Your Mouth And Nose: Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
Avoid Close Contact: Viral infections are contagious, so it is best to maintain a distance from sick persons. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
How to Manage a Viral Fever
Despite taking all precautions, if you still catch an infection and develop a fever, it is best to consult a doctor.
*Please note: These are just recommendations. It is always important to consult your doctor for personalized medical advice.
Medical Tests and Health Checkups Available At House of Diagnostics (HOD).
Data Sources:
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/
- https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/fever
