Definition: what is fever?

Fever (or pyrexia) is a rise in body temperature above normal temperature. Most often she is a symptom of infection.

What is the temperature in case of fever?

Body temperature fluctuates normally between 36°8 and 37°3. We are talking about fever above 37.8°C rectally or 38°C by another measurement methodwithout having carried out intense activities, if one is normally covered and exposed to a moderate ambient temperature.

Because fever plays an important role in recovery, it is not not recommended to take treatment immediately to lower it. As long as it is bearable, the best is to let it do its work and you moisturize abundantly.

In adults

The first treatment will be relax, rest and of drink regularly.

• Apply a cool glove on your forehead to refresh you.
• If you sweat, take a shower. will be lifesaving.
• If the fever is difficult to bear, you can take paracetamolat the rate of one gram per dosewithout exceeding 4 grams per day. Each dose should be spaced 6 hours apart.

In the child, the baby

• Start by finding out.
• Him drink regularly to avoid dehydration.
• Above 38°/38.5°, if the fever is poorly tolerated, paracetamol is the first-line drug, respecting the dosage according to his age and weight (in dose-weight every 6 hours).
• In the baby, any fever requires a medical consultation quickly.

Causes: what gives fever?

The causes of fever can be multiple:

• viral or bacterial infection,
• overexposure to the sun (heatstroke/sunstroke),
• nervous system disease.
• hyperthyroidism,

“Fever is a natural reaction of the body: its purpose is to fight against infections. However, she must be controlled if it persists and becomes too intense“, specifies Dr. Jean-Michel Morel, general practitioner.

What does fever do?

During an infection, the body reacts by increasing its internal temperature: this is a natural defense mechanism. “This aims to prevent the multiplication of microbes, bacteria and viruses present by creating a hostile environment for them, explains Dr. Morel. It accelerates the production of white blood cells and causes an increase in heart rate and blood circulation, three phenomena that have a pure role in transporting the body’s defenses more quickly to the diseased site.“.

Why can fever lead to seizures?

Above 40°C, fever can cause convulsions, involuntary and jerky muscle contractions. The crisis can last between one and five minutes, before being followed by a state of intense fatigue. They more often affect children and require rapid medical consultation. Do not let the temperature rise too much.

When the fever is too high, when it lasts for several days, when it is accompanied by other pains or when it affects an infant.

On the health forum: discussions about fever

To remember

► Most often, having a fever is a symptom of infection.

► We speak of fever above 37.8°C rectally or 38°C by another method of measurement.

► Above 40°C, fever can cause convulsions, involuntary and jerky muscle contractions.

► Only a fever that is too intense and poorly tolerated should be stopped.

► Because fever plays an important role in healing, it is not recommended to immediately take treatment to bring it down.

Thanks to Dr. Jean-Michel Morel, general practitioner.