Viral fever means staying hydrated or using the medications instantly to resolve it quickly as possible.
A viral fever can happen when you have a viral infection. Viruses are small germs that travel from person to person instantly.
When you contract with any viral condition, known as flu or cold, your immunity becomes weaker.
Part of that response leads to raising the body’s temperature that makes it easier for the virus or other germs to affect your body.
Most people have a body temperature of around 98.6°F (37°C). If there is an increase in 1 degree or more, it is considered as FEVER.
We all know, it lasts for a couple of days, and even takes a week or longer. However, it depends on the infection you have.
Did you know fever of <39 °C generally occurs in about 25% and fever of >39 °C arises in about 75%? The highest fever that is recorded till now is in children who are less than 2 years of age.
There are various reasons that can help manage your symptoms. Let’s learn –
Learn when to see your doctor
Fever are not something you need to worry about, but when they become severe, health issue arises –
For Children
A high fever can be much more dangerous for young children as compared to adults. Here is when you need to call your child’s doctor.
- Children ages 0-3 months – The temperature is 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
- Children ages 3-6 months – The temperature is above 102°F (39°C) and they feel sleepy.
- Children ages 6-24 months – The temperature is above 102°F (39°C) that lasts for more than a day.
If they have some severe symptoms, such as cough, rash, or diarrhea. In such conditions, you may want to make a call.
For children who are 2 years and older, you can call the doctor to know if they have a fever that repeatedly goes even higher than 104°F (40°C).
Also, take medical advice if your child is suffering from a fever and –
- They seem irritable or have some severe symptoms.
- The fever takes even longer than three days to last.
- The fever does not respond to the medication.
- They don’t feel like talking to anyone.
For Adults
Fevers can sometimes become dangerous for some adults. You can contact doctors if you got 103°F (39°C) or higher if you are not recovering, and it is taking longer than three days.
Also, you can take treatment if you also suffer from the symptoms like –
- Rashes
- Headaches
- Stiff neck
- Vomiting
- Trouble in breathing
- Chest or abdominal pain
- Seizures.
Drink Fluids
A viral fever can make your body much warmer than normal temperature. It can cause your body to sweat when you cool it down. But it can also lead to fluid loss that causes dehydration.
You can drink more water to replenish lost fluids. It’s not just the water, you can drink any –
- Soups
- Broths
- Sports Drinks
- Juice
- Decaffeinated Tea
Babies and toddlers can benefit from the specially formulated drinks that contain electrolytes. You can get these from the local groceries or online stores.
Get Plenty of Rest
A viral fever means your body finds it hard to fight with an infection. You can keep time for yourself to rest. Even if you can’t spend your day in bed, don’t do any physical activities.
Aim for 8-9 hours of sleep per night. Even during the day, take it easy to rest.
It’s best to put your exercising routine on hold. It can raise your body temperature otherwise.
Be careful about herbal remedies
You can go with herbal remedies to treat your fever. Remember that these supplements work very well on animals, but not on humans. So, it is best to keep these remedies away from children.
You need to know that the Food and Drug Administration does not even monitor the supplements’ quality the same as they do for the drugs.
So, seek help from the doctors before trying these supplements. Don’t forget to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
In Conclusion
A Viral fever is not something that you should take stress about.
It is common among both adults and children. Sometimes the viruses can resolve on their own and are actually a part of the healing process.
However, if you notice any unwanted symptoms and the fever is not going away, it is best to take help from a doctor.
