Certain enzymes in the body can be affected by high fever.
The effects of high fever on the body’s enzymes are believed to be a cause for high fever’s effect on the body.
However, it’s still unclear how this results in the high fever.
Additionally, there’s no evidence to suggest high fever causes these enzyme changes.
High fever is a symptom
Some symptoms of high fever include:
- Chills
- Shivering
- Sweating
- Rapid breathing
- Feeling dizzy
- Increased heart rate
However, some people with high fever don’t have these symptoms.
High fever is an illness
High fever is an illness that can affect the body.
A person may experience a high fever with:
- A fever that occurs only during illness
- A fever that occurs with no other symptoms
- A fever that occurs with other symptoms
Additionally, high fever is a diagnosis rather than a symptom.
High fever is a condition
High fever is a condition.
A person with high fever may experience other symptoms, such as:
- Fever that occurs in one body part or system
- Fever that occurs in two or more parts of the body
- Fever that occurs with other symptoms
High fever treatment
Treatment for high fever varies depending on the cause.
If a person is experiencing a high fever that’s tied to a medical condition, they may be able to treat it with medications.
A person may also be able to treat a high fever with:
- Fever reducers, such as acetaminophen
- Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen
- Over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
- Antibiotics for bacterial infections
Depending on the cause of high fever, a doctor may recommend other treatments or lifestyle modifications.
High fever prevention
Some common cold symptoms, such as a high fever, can be prevented by practicing good hygiene habits.
If a person has a high fever, they can try to prevent them by:
- Getting enough sleep
- Not smoking or using drugs
- Avoiding viruses or infections
- Drinking plenty of fluids
- Taking medications as prescribed by a doctor
People should talk with a doctor if they’re experiencing high fever for the first time.
A doctor can help determine the cause and recommend a treatment plan.
High fever complications
High fever can cause a variety of complications.
Some complications, such as dehydration, can lead to life-threatening conditions.
Other complications of high fever may include:
Rhabdomyolysis: This condition causes muscle breakdown, which can damage the kidneys. Symptoms include:
- Dehydration
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Weakness in one or both legs
- General weakness
Elevated body temperature that occurs with a high fever can also cause:
- Hypothermia
- Liver disease
- Shock
High fever vs. high blood pressure
High fever differs from high blood pressure.
High blood pressure is a medical condition that causes:
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased heartbeats
- Increased heart size
High blood pressure doesn’t always cause a high fever.
High blood pressure occurs when blood vessels in the body are narrowed and stiff.
A person may experience high blood pressure if they have one or more of the following:
- A headache
- Anxiety
- Difficulty breathing
- Headaches that aren’t headache pain
- Heart attack
High blood flow in blood vessels is another cause of increased blood pressure.
High fever vs. shock
Shock is a medical emergency that can occur if a person has a high fever and shows no signs of improving.
A person may experience shock if they:
- Have blood clots that are large enough to block blood flow to the brain.
- Have severe bleeding.
- Have a medical condition that’s causing low blood pressure.
- Have a medical condition that’s causing a low white blood cell count.
- Have severe head trauma.
- Have a severe injury.
- Have a severe burn.
- Have a severe heart attack.
People should seek emergency medical help if they believe they may be experiencing shock.
High fever vs. flu
Flu is a common illness that can cause a high fever.
However, high fever is not a symptom of flu.
Instead, a person experiencing a high fever may have:
- Diarrhea
- Cough
- Headache
A doctor can prescribe antiviral medications for flu and other viruses.
High fever vs. heart attack
A heart attack occurs when there’s a blockage in the arteries. This blockage can be caused by:
- A blood clot
- A blood vessel rupture
- A heart attack
A high fever can be a sign of these conditions, but a heart attack is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.
High fever vs. bronchitis
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes that carry mucus from the lungs to the throat.
Bronchitis is typically caused by a viral infection.
A person can also experience bronchitis if they have:
- A cold
- A sinus infection
- A lung infection
- A lung abscess
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
People with all of these conditions may experience a high fever.
Bronchitis can also be caused by:
- Exposure to cold or tobacco smoke
- An asthma attack
- A lung tumor
- Chronic bronchitis
A person should seek medical attention if they believe they have bronchitis.
High fever vs. cancer
Cancer is a type of disease that can cause a number of symptoms.
High fever isn’t a symptom of cancer in most cases.
However, some cancer types, such as leukemia, can cause a high fever.
A person can also experience a high fever as a side effect of cancer treatment.
High fever vs. menopause
Menopause is a woman’s time in life when they enter into menopause.
Some symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and decreased bone density, can cause a person to experience a high fever.
However, it’s important to note that a high fever doesn’t mean a person is in menopause.
High fever vs. infection
A high fever may be caused by an infection. However, high fever is not a symptom of an infection.
Some infections that can cause a high fever include:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Upper respiratory tract infections (URIs)
- Acute sinusitis
- Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs)
- Strep throat
- Middle ear infections
- Pneumonia
- Bronchitis
- Meningitis
- Infection of the skin
- Infection of the eyes
- Infection of the joints
High fever vs. pregnancy
Pregnancy can cause a variety of symptoms, many of which can lead to a high fever.
However, a high fever isn’t a symptom of pregnancy.
Instead, a high fever can be caused by:
- Stress
- Menstrual irregularities
- Pregnant
- A lack of vitamins or minerals
- Infections
- Pregnancy complications
A person should contact a doctor if they think they may have a high fever.
High fever vs. low potassium
Some people with kidney disease may experience low potassium levels.
However, a high fever isn’t a symptom of kidney disease.
Instead, a high fever may be a symptom of:
- Severe dehydration
- Low blood volume
People with these conditions may seek medical attention if they believe they’re experiencing a high fever.
High fever vs. low electrolytes
The kidneys are responsible for regulating the amount of electrolytes in the body.
If the kidneys aren’t functioning properly, the level of electrolytes in the blood can become low.
However, a high fever isn’t a symptom of electrolyte imbalance.
Instead, a high fever may be caused by:
- Dehydrated
- Metabolic acidosis
- Severe electrolyte imbalance
- Hypocalcemia
People experiencing low blood volume may seek medical attention if they believe they’re experiencing a high fever.
High fever vs. muscle cramps
Muscle cramps are muscle soreness that occurs when a muscle contracts.
People with a muscle cramp may experience a high fever. However, muscle cramps aren’t always caused by a high fever.
Instead, muscle cramps may be caused by:
- Excessive exercise
- Low potassium levels
- Anemia
- An ovarian cyst
- Peripheral arterial disease
It’s important to seek medical attention if a person believes they may be experiencing a muscle cramp.
High fever vs. diabetes
Diabetes is a disease in which the body doesn’t produce enough or the right amount of insulin.
A high fever is a symptom of diabetes, but high fever isn’t a symptom of diabetes.
Instead, high fever is a symptom of:
- Low blood sugar
- Hypoglycemia
- Hyperglycemia
- Insulin resistance
- Low glucose levels
- Low ketone levels
- Hypokalemia
People with diabetes may seek care if they believe they may have a high fever.
High fever vs. nausea
Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of several conditions.
However, high fever isn’t a symptom of nausea.
Instead, high fever may be a symptom of:
- Abdominal pain
- Infection
- Heart failure
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Pancreatitis
- Tumor lysis syndrome
- Kidney disease
- Pancreatic cancer
- Metabolic syndrome
- Malnutrition
- Overactive thyroid
People experiencing nausea may seek medical attention if they believe they have a high fever.
High fever vs. seizures
Seizures are an abnormal, or excessive, change in the activity of a person’s brain.
Some causes of seizures include:
- Stroke
- Brain injury
- A brain tumor
A person can also experience seizures without any of these causes.
Summary
High fever is a symptom that can occur with other symptoms.
If a person has a high fever, it’s important to seek medical attention.
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