Viral fever is the most common ailment that affects individuals of all age groups, causing discomfort and inconvenience. A viral fever is the one that is caused by an underlying viral illness. Typically, the body’s temperature is 98.60 F or 370 C, which must be checked with the help of a trusted Health Care Product. Any degree above is considered a fever.

While it typically resolves on its own within a few days, understanding its symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention methods is highly important for managing its impact on health and well-being. Let’s check these out here –

Symptoms of a Viral Fever:

Viral fevers can range between 990 F to over 1030 C, depending on the underlying virus. If you have a viral fever, you might have some of these general symptoms –

  • Chills and sweating often accompany a rise in body temperature above the normal range.
  • Feeling tired or lethargic, even after adequate rest.
  • Muscular discomfort or soreness often affects multiple areas of the body.
  • Persistent or throbbing pain in the head may worsen with movement.
  • Irritation or pain in the throat, accompanied by difficulty swallowing.
  • Dry or productive cough, sometimes with accompanying nasal congestion.
  • Feeling sickness or discomfort in the stomach leads to vomiting in some cases.
  • Reduced desire to eat or drink, resulting in decreased intake of food and fluids.

What causes a viral fever?

A viral fever is caused by infection with a virus. These are tiny infectious agents. They infect and multiply within the cells of your body. Many viruses are sensitive to shifts in temperature, so a sudden increase in your body temperature makes you less hospitable to viruses.

There are several ways that you can get infected with a virus, like –

  • Direct contact – meeting an infected person’s bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces.
  • Airborne transmission – inhaling respiratory droplets expelled by an infected individual through coughing or sneezing.
  • Fomite transmission – touching surfaces or objects contaminated with the virus and then touching the face, mouth, or eyes.
  • Ingestion – food and drinks can be contaminated with viruses. If you eat them, you can develop an infection.
  • Bites – insects and other animals can carry viruses. If they bite you, it can develop an infection.

How to treat a viral fever?

The treatment of viral fever primarily focuses on relieving symptoms and supporting the body’s immune system. Here are some significant things to consider –

Take appropriate rest – Adequate rest is the most important to help the body recover from the infection.

Hydrate yourself – Drinking plenty of fluids helps in preventing dehydration and facilitates the elimination of toxins from the body.

Over-the-counter medications – Medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help reduce fever and alleviate pain and discomfort.

Antiviral medications – The medications may be prescribed to treat specific viral infections like influenza.

Symptomatic relief – Cough syrups, throat lozenges, and nasal decongestants can provide symptomatic relief from coughing, sore throat, and nasal congestion.

Warm compresses – Applying warm compresses to areas of muscular discomfort can help in alleviating body aches.

How to prevent the viral fever?

Preventing viral fever includes adopting several preventive measures to reduce the risk of viral transmission. It includes –

  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, after using the restroom, and after coughing or sneezing.
  • Covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or the elbow when coughing or sneezing to prevent the spread of respiratory droplets.
  • Limit the close contact with individuals who are sick and avoid crowded places during outbreaks of viral infections.
  • Get vaccinated against common viral infections like influenza, which can help in preventing illness and reduce the severity of symptoms in case of infection.
  • Clean regularly and disinfect the most touched surfaces and objects with gloves like doorknobs, light switches, and countertops to reduce the spread of viruses.
  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise, balanced nutrition, adequate sleep and stress management.

Key Takeaway –

Viral fever refers to any fever that results from an infection, like the flu or dengue fever. While most viral fevers resolve on their own within a day or two, some are more severe and require medical treatment immediately. Practising good hygiene, adopting preventive measures and seeking appropriate medical care when needed are essential in reducing the risk of viral fever and its complications.