High Temperature? Find Out What Causes a Fever
High Temperature? Find Out What Causes a Fever
A fever -- also known as a high fever or a high temperature -- is not by itself an illness. It's usually a symptom of an underlying condition, most often an infection.
Fever is usually associated with physical discomfort, and most people feel better when a fever is treated. But depending on your age, physical condition, and the underlying cause of your fever, you may or may not require medical treatment for the fever alone. Many experts believe that fever is a natural bodily defense against infection. There are also many non-infectious causes of fever.
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Fever is generally not considered dangerous, but hyperthermia can cause dangerous rises in body temperature. This can be due to an extreme temperature associated with heat injury such as heat stroke, side effects of certain medications or illicit drugs, and stroke. With hyperthermia, the body is no longer able to control body temperature.
In children with fever, accompanying symptoms such as lethargy, fussiness, poor appetite, sore throat, cough, ear pain, vomiting, and diarrhea are important to relay to your doctor.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, if you have an infant younger than 4 months old with a rectal temperature of 100.4 F or above, you should immediately call your doctor or go to an emergency room, because it could be a sign of a potentially life-threatening infection. Also call your doctor or go to the emergency room if any child has a fever above 104 F. High fever can cause seizures in young children.
Call your doctor right away if your child has a fever and:
Call the doctor if the fever lasts more than 1 day in a child less than 2 years old or lasts more than 3 days in a child age 2 or older.
A part of the brain called the hypothalamus controls body temperature, which usually varies throughout the day from the normal temperature of 98.6 F.
Fever is usually associated with physical discomfort, and most people feel better when a fever is treated. But depending on your age, physical condition, and the underlying cause of your fever, you may or may not require medical treatment for the fever alone. Many experts believe that fever is a natural bodily defense against infection. There are also many non-infectious causes of fever.
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The bites of most spiders and insects, including mosquitoes, fleas, flies, bedbugs, and chiggers, are similar in appearance and pose little danger. Typically, the insect's injection of salivary fluid or venom into the skin provokes a small, itchy swelling that lasts a few hours or days. The bites are seldom dangerous, although mosquitoes in certain parts of the world may transmit diseases such as West Nile virus, dengue, malaria, and encephalitis.For people allergic to insect or spider bites, these...
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Fever is generally not considered dangerous, but hyperthermia can cause dangerous rises in body temperature. This can be due to an extreme temperature associated with heat injury such as heat stroke, side effects of certain medications or illicit drugs, and stroke. With hyperthermia, the body is no longer able to control body temperature.
In children with fever, accompanying symptoms such as lethargy, fussiness, poor appetite, sore throat, cough, ear pain, vomiting, and diarrhea are important to relay to your doctor.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, if you have an infant younger than 4 months old with a rectal temperature of 100.4 F or above, you should immediately call your doctor or go to an emergency room, because it could be a sign of a potentially life-threatening infection. Also call your doctor or go to the emergency room if any child has a fever above 104 F. High fever can cause seizures in young children.
Call your doctor right away if your child has a fever and:
- Looks very sick
- Is drowsy or very fussy
- Has a weakened immune system or other medical problems
- Has a seizure
- Has other symptoms such as rash, sore throat, headache, stiff neck, or earache
Call the doctor if the fever lasts more than 1 day in a child less than 2 years old or lasts more than 3 days in a child age 2 or older.
Causes of Fever
A part of the brain called the hypothalamus controls body temperature, which usually varies throughout the day from the normal temperature of 98.6 F.
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