The Celsius temperature scale, originally measured as “centigrade” degrees, is the standard in most of the world. The Fahrenheit scale continues to be the standard for measuring temperature in the US. Occasionally, there are situations where conversion from one scale to another is required. For example, if you live in the United States and want to convert your body temperature to Fahrenheit, at this point, you need a formula: multiply by 1.8 (or 9/5) and add 32.

Example: (38°C x 1.8) + 32 = 100.4°F

For people, a temperature over 100.4°F (38°C) is a fever.

1. What is Fever?

Depending on the individual, their age, their activity level, and the time of day, different people have different normal body temperatures. The standard recommendation for the normal body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C). Some studies have shown that the “normal” body temperature can have a wide range, from 97°F (36.1 °C) to 99 °F (37.2 °C).

Most frequently, a fever brought on by an infection or illness is indicated by a temperature over 100.4°F (38°C). While a temperature above normal but below 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) is sometimes considered to be a low or mild fever. It may mean that the body is responding to an infection.

2.Causes

Typical body temperature is a balance between heat production and heat loss. An area of the brain called the hypothalamus (hi-poe-THAL-uh-muhs), also known as the body’s “thermostat”, monitors this balance. In addition the main causes of fever such as colds and gastroenteritis. Fever or elevated body temperature also might be caused by:

• Viral infections of the ear, lung, skin, throat, bladder, or kidney
• A bacterial infection
• Heat exhaustion
• Certain inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis — inflammation of the lining of your joints (synovium)
• A cancerous (malignant) tumor
• Hormone disorders such as hyperthyroidism
• Some medications, such as antibiotics and drugs used to treat high blood pressure or seizures
• Autoimmune conditions such as lupus and inflammatory bowel disease (IBS)
• Blood clots
• Some immunizations, such as the diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP), pneumococcal or COVID vaccine
• Teething in babies can cause a mild, low-grade fever (not over 101 degrees)

3.Types

Different causes cause different types of fevers, the following are some common types of fevers:

• Intermittent fever

Intermittent fever is usually defined as a condition in which the body temperature remains at 37°C during the day, but rises during the night. According to medical experts, this type of fever is usually caused by parasitic or bacterial infections, with malaria and sepsis being typical examples. It can be further subdivided into types, namely daily fever, day fever and isolated fever.

• Sudden high fever

As the name implies, sudden high fever is recognized by a sudden increase in body temperature. It can cause fatigue, exhaustion, body aches and headaches. For example, dengue fever is the disease most likely to cause sudden high fever.

• Continuous fever

A continuous fever is a medical condition during which the body temperature is consistently above the nominal temperature but does not fluctuate by more than 1 ° C. It is usually caused by bacteria and has been linked to other health problems, including pneumonia and typhoid fever. Associated with other health problems, including pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTl), and typhoid.

• Remittent fever

Remittent fever is quite similar to a persistent fever in that the high body temperature maintains a higher temperature throughout, but unlike the latter, the temperature fluctuations in this case can exceed 1 ° C. Infective endocarditis causes inflammation of the tissues inside the heart.

• Rheumatic fever

Rheumatic fever is caused by streptococcus. According to medical experts, the bacteria initially causes throat infections that, if left untreated, can lead to painful fevers. It initially causes a throat infection and, if left untreated, can lead to a painful fever. White spots on the tonsils Inflammation of the tonsils and tongue, accompanied by headaches, are some common symptoms of rheumatic fever.

4. Symptoms

Depending on what’s causing a fever, other fever signs and symptoms may include:

• Sweating
• Chills and shivering
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Loss of appetite
• Irritability
• Dehydration
• General weakness

The presence of a fever by itself may not be cause for concern or a reason to seek medical attention. However, there are some situations in which you should seek medical attention for your infant, child, or yourself. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these signs or symptoms accompanies a fever:

• Unresponsive
• Wheezing or has difficulty breathing
• Speaking in a confused or altered way
• Appearing blue in the lips
• Fever with sudden onset of rash
• Temperature above 105°F
• Having convulsions or seizures
• A fever combined with a stiff neck or headache

5. Treatments

Fevers are usually associated with physical discomfort, and most people feel better after fever treatment. However, depending on your age, physical condition and the underlying cause of your fever, you may or may not need a separate fever treatment. Many experts believe that fever is the body’s natural defense against infection. Stay comfortable by:

• Give an over-the-counter medicine such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) as directed on the label. If you have any illnesses or take other medications, consult your doctor first. Warning: Do NOT give aspirin to anyone age 18 or younger unless directed to do so by a doctor.
• Drink plenty of clear liquids, such as water, broth, juice.
• Keeping yourself cool with lightweight clothing and bed coverings.
• Rest enough.

Summary

Fever is not a serious illness, as long as you follow the doctor’s advice, rest well and drink plenty of water, you will recover quickly. However, if you have a high fever for more than 2 days, please seek medical attention promptly and your doctor will give you the most effective treatment.