Viral Fever Symptoms, Treatments, Diagnosis and Preventions.

The ideal temperature of the body is 98.6°F. Above 100.4°, the body can have a high or viral fever. That can be due to the flu or cold, and the body temperature represents an infection. It is important to note that self-medication in viral fever is highly inappropriate because self-prescribed medications can be dangerous for your body. Since the infection can be bacterial or viral, you must check with your doctor. This article considers all the viral fever symptoms, treatments, diagnoses, and preventions.

Several viral infections can affect human beings, ranging from a common cold to a viral infection that can cause an increase in body temperature. High fevers are not indicative of viral infections, but they are with other symptoms like severe headaches or body aches. In addition, several viral infections can be due to dengue or malaria. Hence, it becomes essential to visit your doctor and see if a high fever is due to a bacterial or viral infection.  

Symptoms associated with viral fever – 

Viral Fever Symptoms of viral fever can be varied depending on the infection from person to person and the severity of the infection. The common symptoms of many viral infections are- 

• High fever (more than 100°F)
• Headaches
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• nasal congestion
• Muscle pain and joint pain
• Dehydration
• Diarrhea
• abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Chills
• Redness
• Burning of eyes
• Facial swelling
• Rashes on the skin
• Loss of appetite

Note these symptoms are also common in the condition of bacterial fevers. Hence, it is crucial to diagnose viral infections. Furthermore, since a viral infection attacks the immune system, if left untreated, the state could lead to secondary infections in a few days or weeks. 

Many viral infections require immediate medical care to prevent their effect on bodily functions. In addition, these viral infections are not self-resolving and require proper care. While others can subside as the cycle of the virus ends. However, the symptoms and the condition can worsen, and in case it does, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Check with your regular practitioner to get help and relieve the symptoms. 

Also Read: Viral Fever: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

How can I diagnose viral fever?

It used to be easy to identify viral fever symptoms decades ago, but today, many infections are deemed viral infections based on symptoms or self-reflection. Since the range of the symptoms has increased, the doctors usually take tests to figure out the viral fever.  

• One test will include taking a swab of your saliva and checking the causes of high fever. That will mainly indicate positive if you have a bacterial infection.
• In contrast, in the case of a viral infection, there will be a negative swab test indicating a positive viral infection.
• Another type of test is a blood or urine test that helps confirm a viral infection.
• Patients should not self-prescribe medicines themselves. There are many factors associated with viral infections.
• A doctor can also ask for a WBC sample count to look for viral infections, as the immune system is attacked in case of viral fever.
• The WBC content will be high in case of a viral infection.
• That will help check for dengue, malaria, chikungunya, and typhoid conditions.

What are the treatment options for viral fever?

The treatment of viral infections depends on the type of infection you have contracted. It will also be dependent on the severity of the condition. The general medicine for this condition is paracetamol or ibuprofen. These medicines can relieve low-grade viral fevers. 

1. For mild infections, fewer antibiotics are prescribed, like Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Naproxen, and other NSAIDs. Instead, these are defined based on the condition and medical history of the patients.

1. The conditional pain, headaches and fatigue, and diarrhea in this condition can be relieved by taking lukewarm baths or drinking enough liquids. For high fever, the docs can suggest higher requirements of paracetamol every few hours later.

1. In case of severe viral infections, you can have seizures, coma, or sepsis, leading to multiorgan failure and respiratory fevers. A persistent fever of up to 103 should be a reason to go to the hospital and The ICU.

1. In case of hospitalizations, the condition is severe for the patient. This step can help relieve the symptoms. The doctor can also consider the medical history of the patients. Viral infection with not of same frequency and duration. Hence, special vigilance is required.

Self-medication is not suitable for the patients, and it can be dangerous with severe complications, and you should contact your doctor. 

Read Also: Prevention of Dengue Fever: Food to Eat and Avoid

How can one prevent viral fever?

Prevention of viral fevers is a standard process and should happen primarily during the rainy season or when there is frequent weather. Many people can adhere to the preventive measures mentioned below to prevent viral fever.  

1. It is essential to take care of personal hygiene and wash hands regularly.
2. Take care of your respiratory tract with proper gargling and drinking a hot drink.
3. Avoid picking your nose or touching your head and face.
4. Ensure the pots and water storage units are sanitized and covered, as they can be breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Again, seek professional help if required.
5. Do not self-medicate.
6. Your doctor can help suggest the throat test to check for bacterial infection but do not try to self-medicate on viral medicines as it can negatively impact your help.
7. Opt for reputable diagnostic tests and centers to get accurate test results and timely reports.

FAQs –

Read Also:  10 Warning Signs Of Dengue Fever

Conclusion –

Because viral fever symptoms are similar to many other illnesses, recognizing the specific kind of fever can be challenging.

A high fever viral infection indicates something is wrong in the body. The body deals with this by activating the immune system, which acts as the defense mechanism to keep viral infections at bay. Therefore, it is essential to keep your energy levels up during any viral infection. Try taking energy drinks; glucose also controls your body temperature. Also, consult with our doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications.