Here are the different types of fever in adults and their major causes and treatment

If you feel nauseous and sense a headache coming on, a simple thermometer can confirm whether you have a fever. In response to a high temperature, many people lie down, take some medicine and reach for the ice-pack to cool their body. But while these are simple ways to combat a high temperature, there are other types of fever that warrant a more serious treatment. These fevers could also be a telling sign of a more serious health condition. Here are the 3 major types of illness and the causes and treatment of each.

1. Continuous fever

This type of fever occurs when your body temperature is elevated but only rises to one degree higher than the normal temperature. It is called continuous fever because the temperature does not fluctuate more than 1 degree Celsius but continues to remain high for a span of over 24 hours. This type of fever could also be an underlying symptom or cause of a more serious illness.

Causes

There are many illnesses that can cause continuous fever, these include:

• Pneumonia- A continuous fever could be a symptom of a bacterial infection caused by pneumonia. This illness affects the lungs and can cause difficulty in breathing and impair the flow of gas in the body. 

• UTI- A UTI or Urinary Tract Infection is caused by bacteria such as E.coli and can result in continuous fever. A person who has this infection can face a lot of discomfort when urinating.

• Typhoid- When a person consumes food that is infected with bacteria like Salmonella, it can result in Typhoid. In addition to continuous fever a person with the illness can also suffer from intestinal bleeding and an enlargement of the liver.

Treatment

If you have a continuous fever, it is recommended that you rest and remain hydrated. If the fever lasts for longer than 24 hours, it advisable to consult a doctor.

2. Intermittent Fever

A fever that alternates and is present for only a short period of time is called an intermittent fever. This type of fever comes in perpetual cycles during the night and is seen as a symptom of a bacterial infection. There are three subtypes of intermittent fever. These include:

• Quotidien fever: This occurs every 24 hours
• Tertian fever: This occurs every 48 hours
• Quartan fever: This occurs every 72 hours

Causes

People who have intermittent fever are likely to have a bacterial infection. One of the causes for intermittent fever is Malaria which is a disease that is spread by the Anopheles mosquito. In addition to an intermittent fever, malaria can also cause headaches and vomiting. Septicaemia is another possible cause of intermittent fever. This is an infection that can occur in multiple parts of the body due to bacteria or viruses.

Treatment

If you have an intermittent fever, it is advisable to visit your doctor. If tests confirm that the root cause is malaria, your doctor will recommend standard treatment procedures.

3. Remittent Fever

A remittent fever is similar to a continuous fever because the person has an elevated temperature for a period of 24 hours. The main difference is that the fluctuation in the temperature is over 1 degree Celsius and can either go higher or lower. However, the fever gradually decreases over a period of time.

Causes

One of the major causes of a remittent fever is Infective Endocarditis. Endocarditis is the organ that lines the interior chambers of the heart. Infective Endocarditis is a heart disease that occurs when this organ is infected by bacteria that enters the body through the bloodstream. These bacteria may originate from the mouth, respiratory system, intestines or the urinary tract. The infection is also known as bacterial Endocarditis.

Treatment

Infective Endocarditis is a serious health issue and if not treated immediately, it can lead to more serious health issues like stroke or heart failure. However, this illness is only common in people who have existing health issues. If Infective Endocarditis is caught early it can be treated with antibiotics and an IV drip but in more serious cases, you may require surgery to repair the heart valve.

When you get a fever, it is recommended to visit the doctor if your temperature does not reduce or subside after a period of 24 hours. However, if you have a fever in conjunction with other symptoms, it is recommended that you visit the doctor immediately as this may be a sign of a more serious underlying health issue. It is advisable to get a master health-check-up at least once a year to nip any serious health conditions in the bud before they get too serious. The doctor can also recommend changes to your existing lifestyle based on the results.  Neuberg Diagnostics is a world-class diagnostics lab that offers numerous preventive health check-up packages to suit your specific needs.