Viral fever can also called seasonal fever. It is a febrile disease that increases body temperature due to viral antigens. So today we will see causes, symptoms, preventive measures and treatment part. It often occurs in the monsoon season or changing weather. Due to viral infection immunity power gets lowered. So after immunity power is decreased, infection in different body organs increases. The disease may be transferred from person to person.
It is a febrile condition caused by viral antigens.
Symptoms of Viral Fever
- High body temperature on and off (99 °F to 103.5 °F; 37.25 °C to 39.5 °C)
- Headache, Hot head
- Throat pain, sore throat
- Redness of eyes, pain in eyes
- Fever with chills, rigours
- Severe body ache
- Cough, cold, coryza
- Nausea, Vomiting
- Loose motion
- Joint pain
- decreased appetite
- Lethargy
- Dehydration
- skin rashes
Causes of Viral Fever
- The main cause of viral fever is the virus itself.
- Sometimes bacterial infection is superadded to viral infection. so it is difficult to differentiate between bacterial and viral infections. If bacterial infection then this time Antibiotics play a vital role in it.
- Decreased immunity power
- Ingestion– By eating contaminated food. If you go to eat at an unhygienic place then quick infection may occur. So choose a good hotel to eat.
- The exchange of body fluid is also an important cause. Infection may occur while handling needles, IV saline, or through Blood transfusion. Example of viral infection is HIV and HEP B virus.
- Inhalation– If an infected person coughs or sneezes droplets go into the air. Air may contaminated by the Flue virus. Infection may occur by inhalation of infected air. Another example is Coronavirus.
- It may caused by Insect bites like mosquitoes. Dengue may occur after the mosquito bite.
Diagnosis of Viral fever
- CBC ( complete blood count)- see white blood cells, platelets are down
- urine routine test
- ESR
- PSfor MP- for detection of malarial fever. ( It is not a viral infection but a test is needed to rule out viral infection.)
- Widal test for typhoid fever ( to rule out whether it is bacterial or viral fever)
- Liver Function Test ( To detect splenomegaly, hepatomegaly or jaundice)
- HBSAG- for detection of Hep B infection
- HIV
- Dengue antigen test
- CRP ( C reactive protein)
- To detect viral infection doing all tests is not necessary. Choose a test as per symptoms.
Prevention of Viral Fever
- If you are suffering from it, don’t panic.
- Viral fever like cold, coryza is a self-treating disease. It usually recovers within 4-5 days by home remedies but in some conditions needs proper treatment like antiviral medicines.
- Take water as much as you can and stay hydrated.
- Do handwash before every food. maintain hygiene.
- Use masks in contaminated areas.
- Take a balanced diet. Take a nutritious diet to increase immunity power.
- Eat fruits. Pomegranate and papaya are good.
- Rest is very important for recovery
- Take a liquid diet.
- Vaccination- Vaccines are available for measles, coronavirus, influenza, and mumps.
- Some viral infections like HIV, and HBSAG need proper treatment so please contact the doctor immediately.
Complications of Viral Fever
- Dehydration – quantity of water reduced in the body
- Hallucination– Due to Hyperthermia (High body temperature).
- Liver failure
- Kidney failure
- Sepsis
- Seizure
- Coma
- To reduce complications of viral infection follow preventive measures.
Treatment of Viral Fever
- In some cases, only the Paracetamol tab is enough to recover from infection.
- In some conditions, IV fluid with multivitamins is needed. So if you feel lethargic, loss of appetite or have nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea go urgently to the hospital.
- For viral infection, there is no need for antibiotics. Antiviral medicine is needed here.
- If the symptoms are getting more complicated then we need medical help.
- Apply lukewarm water to the body to decrease fever fast.
- Maha Sudarshan churn
- Kutki Churn
Homoeopathic medicines
- Aconite
- Gelsemium
- Bryonia Alba
- Rhus Tox
- Influenzinum
- Belladonna
- Arsenic Album
Homoeopath will give one of the above drugs after case taking.
- Papaya juice is good
- You can try some kadha. Basil and ginger kadha are good for viral infection.
- We will see how to make herbal kadha-Take 2 cups of water, 1 inch of ginger, 4-5 cloves,5-6 black peppers, 5-6 basil leaves, 2 tsp honey, and a 2-inch cinnamon stick. Boil water and add other all ingredients to water and boil it for 15 minutes on medium flame. Then cool it and strain. Take sip by sip. You can buy kadha online also- Ayurvedic kadha
- Ayurvedic Instant Kadha
- Soak a cup of fenugreek seeds at night. Strain in the morning. Drink this water every hour. Will get rid of it soon.
Conclusion-
Viral fever is the most common seasonal fever. It affects mostly children and adult people. It occurs quickly in people with weak immunity. It is mostly self treating disease but if complications happen need for doctor treatment.
Also Read – Healthy juices
FAQ’S
A. 99 °F to 103.5 °F; 37.25 °C to 39.5 °C
A. Generally viral fever lasts for 3-4 or 4-5 days.
Q. How can I treat viral fever?
A. Cold sponging, during plenty of water, eat fruits and take a liquid diet.
A. Fever greater than 104 °F or 39.5 °C is harmful. Patients may get complications due to hyperthermia.
A. Yes it is contagious and it spreads through person-to-person contact.
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