Fever is not a disease! It's a known fact that normal human body temperature is 98.6 F (37 C). If temperature goes beyond that, then it's called fever. But one must not worry every time there is a rise in the temperature.

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.

Fevers generally go away within a few days. A number of over-the-counter medications lower a fever, but sometimes it's better left untreated. Fever seems to play a key role in helping your body fight off a number of infections.

Below are the words given by Dr. Ritesh Gehlot who is a General Physician in Udaipur and he has helped numerous patients in his 12 years of experience as a General Physician.


Reason behind fever
The reason is that the immune system is designed to raise the temperature as a defence mechanism if there is any attack by a foreign body (such as bacteria). So body temperature may fluctuate between 97 and 100.4. But there is no need to worry.

Symptoms
You may consider checking when:

* You feel the warmth while you touch
* You feel very tired, dizzy and lose appetite
* You feel nauseated, see rashes on the body, experience loose motion, sore throat, muscle pain, headache, etc.

When to worry?

Normally, fever is not dangerous. However, if you see the following conditions, then it's time to worry and call a doctor.

* If the body temperature is more than 103 F
* If the fever lasts for more than five days
* If you feel difficulty in breathing
* If there is severe vomiting or diarrhoea
* If you feel stiffness in the neck and have headache
* If you feel excessively sleepy and lethargic
* If you see redness in skin, rashes or blood in stool.

If the condition worsens, it is time to rush to a hospital. There could be the following:

* Meningitis: it's life-threatening and highly transmissible in case of bacterial infection. A combination of a fever, extreme headache and stiffness in the neck is an indication that you must rush to the emergency department of a hospital near you.

* Difficulty in breathing or chest pain along with fever should prompt you to call for emergency medical assistance.

* If someone has a fever along with blood in stool, urine or mucus, it's one of the reasons to seek for emergency medical help.

* If one has a fever and is quite disturbed or puzzled unnecessarily, then the person should be taken to the emergency department.

* A person with low immune responses (such as one who is suffering from cancer or AIDS) needs doctor's help in case of fever development.

* Hyperthermia: it's a condition of very high fever, i.e., more than 104 F. The person seems to be confused and may not respond to verbal stimuli or commands. It's time for medical emergency.

What should You Do?
Care for a fever depends on its severity. A low-grade fever with no other symptoms doesn’t typically require medical treatment. Drinking fluids and resting in bed are usually enough to fight off a fever.

For mild fever, even home remedy can help. Aspirin shouldn't be the first choice and an absolute not for individuals less than 18 years. Other drugs that people usually tend to consume are ibuprofen or acetaminophen. One should also drink plenty of water. In case of a heat stroke, the body needs to be cooled.

Other severe causes such as viral infection should lead you to a doctor.