How Long Does a Fever Last? (Causes, Types, and Treatment)
A fever is a common occurrence, especially in children. A fever is generally defined as a body temperature above the normal range. This can vary from person to person but is usually around 37.5-38 degrees Celsius (97°F to 99°F). The question is why does one fever and how long does a fever last?
Fever is usually caused by infection, and is the body’s way of fighting it off. The increase in temperature helps to kill the bacteria or viruses that are causing the infection. In most cases, a fever will go away on its own within a few days.
However, there are some cases where a fever can last longer or become more serious. If you are concerned about your fever, or it is accompanied by other symptoms, then you should speak to a doctor. Keep reading to learn more about how long a fever usually lasts in adults.
You already got an answer on what is fever, let’s move ahead and look at its causes, types, treatment, and how long does a fever last.
Table of Contents
What Are the Causes of Fever?
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What causes fever or why do I have a fever, is commonly asked by people when they want to know about the cause (which is certain) or when they have a fever for a longer time. Well, there are many reasons, you can be suffering from fever. As mentioned in the introduction, fever is the body’s way of fighting unknown viruses or bacteria to keep you safe.
Here are a few common causes, that may lead to fever:
- bacterial infection
- blood clots
- food poisoning
- fungal infection
- heat exhaustion
- inflammation (from conditions like rheumatoid arthritis)
- serious sunburn
- tumor
- viral infection (flu or a cold)
Apart from that, some serious illnesses or treatments and medications can also cause fever like antibiotics, chemotherapy, blood pressure drugs, post-transplant medications, seizure medications, pneumococcal vaccine, steroids, etc.
You must consult a doctor on an urgent basis if you have a fever with diseases like asthma, lung disease, chronic lung diseases, liver & kidney disease, stroke, HIV or AIDS, etc.
What Are the Types of Different Fevers?
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Fever is one of the most common symptoms of illness in humans which is characterized by an elevation in body temperature and can be caused by a variety of underlying conditions. Fever can be a sign of a minor illness, such as a cold or the flu, or a more serious condition, such as an infection or autoimmune disease.
There are two main types of fever: infectious and non-infectious. Infectious fevers are caused by viruses, bacteria, or other organisms and are often contagious. Non-infectious fevers, on the other hand, are not caused by an infection and are not usually contagious.
If you have a fever, it is important to see a doctor determine the cause. In most cases, fevers are not serious and will resolve on their own. However, in some cases, a fever may be serious. Here are a few common types of fevers:
- Intermittent fever: A fever where temperatures and fever levels fluctuate throughout the day.
- Remittent fever: Though the temperature fluctuates and the fever comes and goes, it never goes back to normal.
- Hectic fever: When a person experiences a wide variation in temperature for the day, with a temperature difference of at least 1.4 degrees Celsius between the highest and lowest temperatures, it is considered a hectic fever.
- Continuous fever: Fever that persists over a day with little or no change in temperature, it is also called sustained fever.
- Infectious fevers: These are caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.
- Autoimmune fevers: These occur when your body mistakenly attacks healthy cells.
- Inflammatory fevers: These are caused by conditions that lead to inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
Before we move ahead with how to treat your fever, let’s answer what fever feels like!
What Does a Fever Feel Like?
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When you have a fever, your body temperature rises above its normal level. This can happen for several reasons, such as infection, stress, or injury. Most fevers range from 100°F to 103°F. A fever is generally considered to be a temperature of 103°F or higher. A fever that goes above 104°F is usually considered a high fever.
Here’s a list of common symptoms of fever and your answer to what a fever feels like:
- It can cause you to feel warm or hot to the touch.
- You may also feel cold, shivery, and chills.
- A fever can make you feel achy and tired.
- You may also have a headache, feel nauseous, or have no appetite.
- You will feel dehydrated or suffer from weakness.
- And you might get irritated as well.
If you experience any of the above or all symptoms, you are likely to have a fever. It’s advised to measure the temperature and consult a doctor for the proper treatment.
Now, let’s get the answer to one of the most asked questions,
How Long Does a Fever Last?
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One of the most common questions people have about fever is how long does a fever last. In most cases, a fever will last for about three days. However, there are a few things that can affect how long a fever lasts. For example, the age of the person and the cause of the fever can both play a role in how long the fever lasts.
In general, though, most fevers will go away within three days. However, if you have a persistent or chronic fever, it may last up to 10 days as well. This is where you might ask at what temp should I go to the hospital or when should I see a doctor. Read ahead to know!
What Temp Should I Go to the Hospital?
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Most people know that they should see a doctor if they have a fever that lasts for more than a few days. But what other symptoms should you watch out for or at what temperature should you go to the hospital?
You usually get a fever when your body is fighting an infection. It’s important to see a doctor if you have a fever, especially if it lasts for more than a few days. You may also notice the following symptoms if the problem is more serious:
– extreme fatigue
– severe headache
– chest pain
– shortness of breath
– difficulty breathing
– rapid heart rate
– vomiting
Hence, it is advisable to see a health care provider if you experience 103°F (39.4°C) or higher fever with or without the symptoms mentioned above.
Fever Treatment
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As mentioned above, fevers are not that harmful most of the time and will go away in a few days. However, if you have a high-grade fever with some serious symptoms, you should ask the doctor for treatment. There are medications available at your local pharmacy that can help you treat fever:
- ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
- acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
The above-mentioned are the common fever medications, helpful with the symptoms like headache and muscle pain. However, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals, as per the symptoms you have.
What Are Some Home Remedies for Fever?
There are many home remedies for fever, but it is best to consult a doctor to see what is the best remedy for you. Some home remedies include:
– taking a cold bath,
– drinking lots of fluids,
– taking ibuprofen,
– use a damp cloth on your forehead,
– eating light foods that are easy on the stomach,
– resting,
– dressing in light, comfortable clothing, and
what does a fever feel like- turning down the temperature in your room
Wrapping Up:
Well with this, we will end this article on how long does a fever last. In this blog post, you read what fever is, what its causes are, its types, how you feel when you have a fever, how long does a fever last, and how to treat it. Along with that you also read, that fever is normal it is a sign that your immune system is fighting off the infectious bacteria. Still, it is advisable to consult a doctor for medication treatment. Apart from that, you can still go for home remedies.
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