Sampoornam. W.1, Fathima V.N.2*, Amrutha V2, Devika Babu2, Roshmi A.J2, Sandra Thomas2, Annliya Joseph2, Anumol. P2, Angel Thomas2, Sreelakshmi C.B2, Fiya Fathima2
1Principal, Bhavani College of Nursing, Erode.
2First Year BSC Nursing, Bhavani College of Nursing, Erode.
*Corresponding Author E-mail: bhavanicollegeofnursing@gmail.com, drsampoornamwebster@gmail.com
ABSTRACT:
Fever or Pyrexia, a common symptom of various medical conditions, has intrigued researchers and clinicians for centuries. This abstract provides an overview of the mechanisms underlying fever, its diverse causes, and the clinical significance it holds. Fever, primarily regulated by the hypothalamus, is a vital part of the body’s immune response to infections and other stimuli. The causes of fever range from infectious diseases to inflammatory disorders and even drug- induced reactions. Understanding the precise etiology of fever is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Furthermore, fever serves as an important clinical sign, aiding healthcare professionals in identifying and monitoring illnesses.
KEYWORDS: Fever, Pyrexia, Clinical Management, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment.
INTRODUCTION:
Fever is a medical condition characterized by an elevated body temperature, typically above the normal range of around 98.6°F (37°C). It is often a sign that the body is fighting off an infection or reacting to other underlying health issues.
Pyrexia means rise in normal body temperature. When body temperature becomes high, the temperature regulatory system, which is governed by a nervous feedback mechanism, dilates the blood vessels and increases sweating to reduce the temperature (M. B. Narkhede, P. V. Ajmire, 2012).
Fever can be caused by a variety of factors, including infections, inflammation, medications, and environmental factors. While it is generally a natural and beneficial response to illness, persistent or extremely high fevers can be a cause for concern and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Fever can be accompanied by various symptoms such as chills, sweating, headache, and muscle aches, and its treatment often involves addressing the underlying cause and managing any discomfort.
Research for herbal remedies with potent antipyretic activity received importance, recently as the synthetic antipyretics having long term side effects. It was evident from the study that the observed antipyretic effects of the extract were similar in both magnitude and time course. however, to know the exact mechanism of action of premena corymbosa leaf extract further study with purified fractions is obligatory (Sudhish Rai, Ashish Vaishnav, 2011). The crude extracts exhibited significant antibacterial activity analgesic and antipyretic activity among them bud has shown maximum activity followed by root, leaf and stem. However, further investigation is required to isolate the active Constituents responsible for these activities and to elucidate the exact mechanisms of action (P. Padmakumari, Mary Reshma, 2012).
There are several different types of fever, each with its own underlying causes. Some common types of fever include:
· Low-Grade Fever: This is a mild elevation in body temperature, usually between 100.4°F (38°C) and 100.9°F (38.3°C). It can be caused by minor infections or inflammatory conditions.
· Acute Fever: Acute fevers are sudden and short-lived, often the result of infections like the flu or common cold.
· Prolonged or Persistent Fever: This fever lasts longer than normal, typically more than a few days, and may be caused by various infections or chronic medical conditions.
· Recurrent Fever: Some conditions, like malaria, can cause fevers to come and go at regular intervals.
· Hemorrhagic Fever: These fevers are often caused by viruses that can lead to bleeding disorders. Examples include Ebola and Dengue fever.
· Intermittent Fever: Fever that comes and goes, often associated with conditions like tuberculosis.
· Continuous Fever: A fever that remains relatively constant, usually associated with bacterial infections.
· Remittent Fever: A type of fever where the temperature fluctuates but doesn’t return to normal.
Fever can be caused by a variety of factors, but it is mainly a response to infections. Common causes of fever include:
· Inflammatory Conditions: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease can cause fever as part of their symptom profile.
· Heat-related Conditions: Heat stroke or heat exhaustion can lead to elevated body temperature.
· Medications: Some medications can cause fever as a side effect, such as antibiotics or certain anti-seizure drugs.
· Immunizations: Occasionally, vaccines can cause a mild fever as part of the body’s immun response.
· Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions like lupus or inflammatory disorders can result in recurrent fevers.
· Cancers: Certain types of cancer, such as lymphoma, may cause fever as a symptom.
· Tissue Injury or Trauma: Severe burns, muscle injury, or other forms of tissue damage can lead to fever as well.
· High body temperature
· Chills or shivering
· Sweating
· Headache
· Muscle aches
· Fatigue
· Loss of appetite
· Dehydration
· Irritability (especially in children)
Treatment for Fever:
There are two methods for treating patients with fever, first administration of an antipyretic drug and then physical cooling. Fever does not necessarily need to be treated and most people with a fever recover without specific medical attention. Although it is unpleasant, fever rarely rises to a dangerous level even if untreated. Treating fever in people with sepsis does not affect outcomes. Small trials have shown no benefit of treating fevers of 38.5°C (101.3°F) or higher of critically ill patients in ICUs, and one trial was terminated early because patients receiving aggressive fever treatment were dying more often.
Health professionals should consider parental education as the core of fever management with the objective to improve parental knowledge and anxiety and to reduce unnecessary use of health services. First of all body temperature should be checked and recorded in patient record. Sponge bath is given. Cool drinks may be given the patient to drink. Apply cold compress and ice packs to reduce body temperature. Hypothermic blankets or mattresses may also be used. Antipyretic drugs are administered as per physician order. Provide plenty of fluid to increase hydration of the client.
Research Reviews related to Fever Therapy:
Meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis showed that the hypothesis that fever therapy reduces the risk of non-serious adverse events could be neither confirmed nor rejected (risk ratio 0.92, 0.67 to 1.25; I2=66.5%; P=0.58; four trials; very low certainty evidence) Johan Holgersson, 2022.
The fever by itself is not an illness, it is a symptom of viral infection. The fever occurs due to the infection (Allana Thomas, Alan Mary John, et.al., 2020). Pyrexia or fever is caused as a secondary impact of infection, tissue damage, inflammation, graft rejection, malignancy or other diseased states. It is the body's natural defense to create an environment where infectious agent or damaged tissue cannot survive (Thombre Nilima, Shimpi Pranali, Thete Madhura, 2021).
Most parents do not know the impact of fever and have a high level of anxiety and fear regarding its possible complications (Sharma Priya, Kumari Mukesh, 2020). Fever is a very common symptom among infants and children seeking medical care. Most children undergo evaluation for a febrile illness, and nearly one-third of pediatric outpatient visits are for fever (Imrongnungla Jamir, Kalivi Zhimo, et.al., 2021). Medicinal herbs are highly highlighted due to their wide use and less side effects. A study was undertaken to evaluate the antipyretic and analgesic activities of the alcohol extract of C. filiformis leaves. The results indicate that the ethanol extract of C. filiformis leaves possesses significant antipyretic and analgesic activity (Ram Kumar Sahu, Amit Roy, 2012).
In future it may be used as a standard antipyretic drug in the market. Ethyl acetate extract (400mg/kg) was found to show appreciable anti- inflammatory activity (Valli G, Vijayalakshmi R, 2011).
Nursing students could potentially be ideal candidates for improving fever management within clinical practice and amongst caregivers. An educational program for fever management can effectively improve clinical nurse's knowledge and attitudes about fever management.
In most cases, a fever is a symptom of an underlying illness, and the conclusion typically occurs when the body’s immune system successfully fights off the infection or condition causing the fever. It’s important to monitor the fever, stay hydrated, and follow medical advice if necessary. If the fever persists or worsens, it’s crucial to seek medical attention, as it could indicate a more serious medical condition.
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Received on 07.11.2023 Revised on 18.11.2024 Accepted on 11.04.2025 Published on 23.05.2025 Available online from May 26, 2025 A and V Pub Int. J. of Nursing and Med. Res. 2025; 4(2):106-108. DOI: 10.52711/ijnmr.2025.22 ©A and V Publications All right reserved
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