Introduction to Viral Fever
The fever which is caused by underlying virus infection is termed as a ‘Viral Fever'. It is a contagious disease. There are various varieties of viral infections that can affect humans, such as flu. The viral fever is characterized by a hike in body temperature. This fever is more common in young and elder ones due to their weaker immunity. The patient of viral fever can experience skin rash, body, and headaches. The fever can spread from one person to another by an infected person’s body fluid. Standing close to an infected person while he is coughing, sneezing, or, yawning may cause viral fever.
Causes of Viral Fever
The main cause of Viral fever is low immunity against microbes. Microbes will infect the body and will make their colonies. To fight the microbes, our white blood cell, called macrophages will produce pyrogen. Then the pyrogen will flow in the bloodstream and will reach the hypothalamus of our brain. This pyrogen is the cause of an increase in the temperature during Viral fever. A common pyrogen is Interleukin-1.
The Other Causes of Viral Fever are as Follows
If a healthy person eats or drinks something that is virally infected, then he/she may suffer from viral fever.
If a healthy person gets bitten by an animal or insect, then he/she may get infected from viral fever as animals and insects carry viruses.
If certain strains of viral fever enter the body, then it can cause viral fever.
If blood is exchanged with an infected person then viral fever may occur.
Viral Fever Symptoms
Body temperature in viral fever can range from 99oF to 103oF, depending on the causative virus. The symptoms of viral fever last for a few days.
The patient will feel chills with fever, sweating, and dehydration.
The patient will have a headache and muscle pain.
The patient will feel weak and he will lose appetite.
Viral Fever Symptoms in Kids
If a child has a viral fever, then the symptoms are as follows
The child will have a blocked or runny nose and eyes will be red and watery.
The child will have a high body temperature and may also suffer from sore throat.
The child will feel lethargic.
There will be a presence of rashes all over the body.
Viral Fever Symptoms in Adults
In the elder ones, the fever is more common. The signs of viral fever in elders are as follows.
The patient will experience chest and nasal congestion.
The patient will suffer high fever with chills, sweating, and body pain.
Weakness, vomiting, skin rash will be observed in the patient.
Signs of Viral Fever
High fever
Fever that occurs at regular intervals
Fever comes with chills
This fever can’t get cured by the medicines
This fever has been going for a long period
Common Viral Fever Symptoms
Headache is one of the familiar and irritating types of pain, which is the most common symptom of viral fever. There are two types of headaches. A primary headache occurs independently like any other medical condition. Whereas a secondary headache is considered to be a side effect due to some other health issues such as sinus infection or high blood pressure.
Sore Throat is a pain which can occur with or without swallowing, It is caused in the human body due to underlying diseases.
Burning sensation in eyes is one of the most common symptoms of viral fever.
Joint Pain which is physical discomfort occurs when two or more bones meet with each other.
Muscle pain or Body pain
Vomiting is the most common symptom of viral fever.
Diarrhea is another symptom that can be observed during viral fever.
Dizziness or feeling faint and chills.
Diagnosis of Viral Fever
When the common signs are noticed, then and there the patient should go to the doctor for the diagnosis process, and the doctor would look at the patient’s symptoms and would tell about the patient’s illness. However, in some cases, the physician or the doctor would prescribe blood tests to find out other conditions like dengue, typhoid, chikungunya, malaria, influenza, etc. A blood test may also be prescribed in situations where the physician or the doctor needs to distinguish between the causative organisms. In a simple sentence, we can say that the physician or the doctor can tell whether the fever is caused by a virus or it is caused by bacteria.
FAQs on Viral Fever Symptoms
1. What are the Differences Between Viral Fever and Dengue Fever?
The differences between viral fever and dengue fever are as follows :
Intense viral fever lasts for three to five days and goes away quickly. But in the case of dengue fever, it is considered to have a biphasic pattern. Dengue fever lasts up to seven days with a drop and then small resurgence is seen at the end.
In viral fever the patient experiences blocked or runny nose, chills with fever, sweating, and dehydration, but in dengue, the symptoms are headache, swollen and painful joints, rash. Even after the fever is gone finger and toe joints may swell and start hurting.
2. Why is Increment in Body Temperature Observed During Viral Fever?
Pyrogen is the main property that is responsible for the increase in body temperature. It is produced by the white blood cells of our body. These WBCs are known as macrophages. Pyrogen goes to the hypothalamus of our brain and then our body temperature rises. Pyrogens are made up of lipopolysaccharides. If pyrogens are present in a sufficient amount in our body then, it can cause many inflammatory signs in our body. Some Examples of common pyrogens are as follows: Proinflammatory cytokines, Tumor necrosis factor, Interleukin-1, Interleukin-6.
