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Overview of Viral Fever: Symptoms, causes, types, and treatments

Team AckoDec 12, 2024

Viral Fever, a common occurrence during the rainy season, is generally not considered a serious disease. However, if left untreated, it can lead to several complications. That is why early detection and timely medical attention are essential to curing it. This article shares everything about viral fever, including viral fever symptoms, types of viral fever, and its treatment and prevention. Read on to explore.

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Contents

What is Viral Fever?

Viral Fever is a term used for seasonal viral infections. Usually, it affects children and older people because they have low immunity. High body temperature is one of its common signs. Viral infections can occur in air passages, intestines, lungs, etc. Its treatment is usually symptomatic, and there is no specific antiviral medication for it. One common question many people have is how long viral fevers last. To get the answer, we first need to discuss the various dimensions of the fever virus.

Latest Viral Fever Symptoms

The signs of viral fever are similar to the flu, such as body ache, headache, and fatigue. Other signs of being affected by the fever virus include the following:

Chills
Runny nose
Sweating
Cough
Sore throat
Vomiting
Chest congestion
Nasal congestion
Muscle aches
Diarrhoea
Burning sensation in the eyes
Weakness
Dehydration
Loss of appetite
Dizziness
Fever (from 99°F to over 103°F)

These signs last for a few days only. Also, it is vital to seek medical care if the symptoms become serious over time.

What Causes Viral Fever?

Viruses are infectious agents. Your body’s immune system fights these infections. This can lead to sudden shifts in the body's temperature, causing the body to heat up. This rise in temperature is referred to as viral fever. There are some ways by which a virus infects the body, which are discussed below.

1. Ingestion

You can contract an infection if you consume food items contaminated by a virus. Consuming raw or undercooked food, especially seafood, can harbor infectious agents. Contaminated water sources can also introduce viruses into your system. Poor hygiene during food preparation significantly increases the risk of viral transmission.

2. Carriers

The most common example of carriers is mosquito bites. These insects can transmit viruses that cause diseases like dengue and malaria. Similarly, animal bites can leave you infected, and you may contract rabies.

3. Body fluids exchange

HIV and Hepatitis B may spread through bodily fluids. They can be transmitted via blood transfusions, sharing needles, or from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth. Also, these viral infections can be sexually transmitted, emphasising the importance of safe practices and regular health screenings.

4. Inhalation

You can get infected by coming in contact with an infected individual who sneezes or coughs next to you without covering their face.

Types of Viral Fever

There are five types of viral fever:

1. Respiratory Viral Fever

In this type of fever, the virus affects the respiratory tract. The common infections that fall under this category are flu, polio, viral bronchitis, common cold, measles, rhinovirus, laryngitis, coryza, and adenovirus infection.

2. Exanthematous Viral Fever

This viral infection causes fever and affects the skin, leading to visible eruptions that take a significant amount of time to heal Chickenpox, roseola, German measles, chikungunya, and smallpox are some examples of this type of viral fever.

3. Viral Enteritis

In this type of viral infection, your digestive tract gets impacted, leading to gastrointestinal viral fever (stomach flu). Norovirus, rotavirus, astrovirus, and adenovirus are some infections in this category.

4. Neurologic Viral Fever

This fever affects the central nervous system and leads to neurological illnesses such as encephalitis, HIV, meningitis, and rabies. Sudden seizures, drowsiness, trouble coordinating, and fever are some common signs of this type of fever.

5. Hemorrhagic Viral Fever

Hemorrhagic viral fever is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition marked by drastic increases in body temperature and internal bleeding. This bleeding can occur in various organs, leading to significant complications such as organ failure or shock. Dengue, ebola, and yellow fever fall into this category. These infections are typically transmitted through vectors like mosquitoes or direct contact with infected bodily fluids, and they require immediate medical intervention to prevent fatal outcomes.

Complications of a Viral Fever

How long do viral fevers last? Well, viral fever usually subsides within ten days. However, it can lead to several complications if left untreated. These complications may include the following.

Secondary bacterial infections
Dehydration
Coma
Blood infection
Respiratory fever
Brain inflammation
Kidney and liver failure
Blood infections
Hallucination
Multiple organ failure
Pneumonia
Laryngitis

These conditions can be fatal if timely treatment is not administered.

How is Viral Fever Diagnosed?

The signs of viral infections and bacterial infections are similar. This makes the diagnosis challenging. A doctor will check the signs you have been facing. You will also be asked about your medical history and some other questions to determine the severity of the illness. Your doctor will order the following diagnostic tests as well.

Swab tests
Blood tests
Antibody tests
Specific viral antigens test
Urine test

The healthcare professional may recommend testing for chikungunya, dengue, and malaria. Imaging tests such as chest X-ray and CT scan can also be advised if the infection is severe.

Treatment of Viral Fever

Viral fever has no specific treatment, as viruses do not respond to antibiotics. However, doctors focus on relieving the symptoms the patients exhibit.

Here is a list of some treatment options and home remedies for viral infections.

Lukewarm baths: Taking a bath in lukewarm water helps reduce the body temperature.
Over-the-counter medications: Medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can relieve fever, pain, and inflammation. Aspirin should not be given to children or teens due to the higher risk of developing serious conditions, such as Reye's syndrome.
Rest: Getting adequate rest is vital for the recovery of the sick individual.
Hydration: High intake of fluids keeps the body hydrated and prevents dehydration.
Warm compress: Applying a warm compress on the forehead eases signs such as headache and congestion.

A fever lasting more than three days should not be taken lightly. Individuals should seek medical attention if their temperature is higher than 104°F (in adults), 102°F (in children), and 100°F (in infants). It is crucial to note that individuals should never self-medicate for such infections.

How to Prevent Viral Fever

Viral fever spreads quickly from one person to another. So, taking measures to help reduce your risk of getting sick becomes imperative. Here are some of the healthy practices you can adopt to prevent viral fever.

1. Frequent hand washing

Wash your hands often with soap or liquid handwash, especially before eating. If you are outside the home and there is no access to soap and water, use a sanitiser.

2. Avoid close contact with infected people

Refrain from coming in contact with a person infected with the fever virus. If you cannot avoid direct contact, try maintaining a distance from the individual. Carers can use masks or gloves when taking care of a sick person. Kids and older people should avoid contact with the infected people, as their immunity is already low.

3. Disinfect contaminated surface

When you have a person infected with viral fever at home, the chances of you getting infected also increase. This is because the sick person would touch door knobs, utensils, and other necessary items. You can disinfect the surfaces you think may be contaminated with the virus.

4. Prevent mosquito bites

Mosquitoes may carry viruses that can cause dengue, chikungunya, etc. So, use mosquito nets and repellents and wear long-sleeved clothes to prevent mosquito bites.

Key Takeaway

Viral fever is a prevalent condition that, while generally manageable, can lead to serious complications if left untreated. Awareness of the viral fever symptoms, causes, and prevention strategies is essential for effective management of the virus. Following preventive measures such as hygiene practices and timely medical consultation can help manage viral fever. Consuming warm, healthy, and nutritious food is also necessary to build immunity. You can receive a flu vaccination to prevent infection during the flu season.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here is a rundown of common questions and answers related to Viral Fever.

What is the ideal temperature of the body?

The ideal temperature of the body is 98.6°F (37°C).

How long do viral fevers last?

Most fevers last for three days, which is normal. Recurrent fever may keep coming back for up to 14 days, which is serious and requires medical attention.

What is the body temperature of a person having Viral Fever?

According to the CDC, a person has a fever when the body temperature is 100.4° F (38°C) or greater.

What to eat in Viral Fever?

You can eat leafy greens, boiled eggs, oatmeal, and fruits like apples, grapefruits, and oranges. It is vital to consume easily digestible foods and drink plenty of warm fluids.

Can a viral infection go away itself?

Some viral infections aren't serious and subside in a few days. If you have weak immunity, you may need medical treatment.

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Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. Please consult a doctor before making any health-related decisions.