Warning Signs Your Fever Is Telling That You Have A More Serious Health Condition
Fever is a sign that your body’s defense system is functioning well. It plays a key role in helping your body fight off a number of infections. Once the body senses a foreign invader the body heats up. This foreign invader may refer to bacteria, virus or something that is not supposed to be there.
According to Deborah Nunziato-Ghobashy, DO, family medicine physician at Scarsdale Medical Group:
“The hypothalamus in the brain controls your body temperature and raises it to kill off anything that could be invading your body. All those bacteria and viruses prefer a cozy 37degree Celcius (normal body temperature) environment to keep on replicating. Once it’s higher, it’s too hot for them and they start to die off.”
So, when is your fever a red flag for something that is more serious? Here are some of the things you need to know.
Skin Infection
Persistent Fever
As stated by Dr. Nunziato-Ghobashy:
“At that point, you have a fever of unknown origin, and your doctor will start to investigate to see what’s wrong. Most likely it’s an infection that can be found once a trained clinician takes a look at you.”
Cancer
According to Dr. Nunziato-Ghobashy:
“They cause an inflammatory response in the body. This is rare, but something to pay attention to if you have a fever that persists. If you can’t find a reason for your fever, it’s important to have somebody look to see professionally whether there is a reason.”
Sore Throat
Dr. Nunziato-Ghobashy says that you need to take medicine and finish the medication even after your throat feels better. She added that:
“Lingering strep bacteria can cause pericarditis, an infection of the heart valves, which is very serious.”
Blood Clot
Dr. Nunziato-Ghobashy commented that in addition to fever, the patient may also experience shortness in breathing and a rapid heart rate if the clot moved toward his lungs. This situation can be deadly.
Digestive Disorder
Dr. Nunziato-Ghobashy explained that:
“And if you alternate between constipation and diarrhea—common among patients with these disorders—the body can react to symptoms of dehydration and raise your temperature.”
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