Fever

The term fever applies to a condition of the body in which the temperature goes above the normal.



It is also characterized by disturbance in normal functioning of the system. It is a common ailment, which affects persons of all age groups.

The normal temperature of the body in health ranges between 98.4' F and 99.5' or 36.9'C and 37.5'C. It is liable to marginal variations, depending on the intake of food, the amount of exercise and the temperature surrounding the atmosphere. The lowest temperature of the body is between the hours 1.30 A.M.



to 7 A.M. and the highest between 4 P.M. and 9 P.M.

The temperature can be taken by a clinical thermometer, which is basically a bulb of mercury connected to a narrow tube inside a glass case. There are marked degrees of temperature upon this thermo meter.



As the mercury is warmed, it rises up the cube and the body temperature is that at which the mercury stops. To get a true reading of the body temperature. It should not be measured after undue exertion. Or after a hot drink either of which activities causes the temperature to rise and so give a false reading.

Symptoms of Fever:

Fever usually begins by a slight shivering, headache. Pain in other parts of the body, thirst and great lassitude. The urine is scanty. There may be constipation, nausea and vomiting. The pulse and respirations are speeded up. Then finally, there is profuse sweating, a copious flow of concentrated urine and general relief of symptoms.

A high temperature is often accompanied by delirium If the temperature of the body during an attack of fever reaches 106°F, the condition is known as hyper pyrexia, (high fever). It is an indication of danger. If the temperature goes above 107°F, and remains so for any length of time death may be inevitable.

Causes of Fever:

The term fever has a very wide application. It is the symptom of a body's fight amongst infection.



It is one 0 the most common features of several diseases. In man: cases, it is a secondary symptom of the disordered stat, of the body with which it is associated.

The real cause of all fevers, including common fever however, is the accumulation of morbid matter in the system due to wrong feeding habits and unhygienic conditions 0 living, Fever is thus, a natural attempt on the part of the body to rid itself of toxic matter. It is not the result of gem infection, as is generally believed. If it was true, all person exposed to an infection should get it.