Types of Fever : Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Fever is one of the most common health conditions that almost everyone experiences at some point in life. It is not a disease in itself, but rather a symptom of an underlying condition such as infection, inflammation, or other health issues. When the body temperature rises above the normal range (98.6°F or 37°C), it is considered a fever. Types of Fever: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Understanding the types of fever is important for proper diagnosis and treatment. In this article, we will explain the different kinds of fever, their causes, symptoms, and management strategies.
What is Fever?
Fever is the body’s natural defense mechanism against infections. When germs such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites enter the body, the immune system releases chemicals called pyrogens that increase body temperature. This higher temperature makes it difficult for harmful organisms to survive and multiply. Types of Fever: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fever
- Normal body temperature: 98.6°F (37°C)
- Low-grade fever: 99°F to 100.4°F (37.2°C to 38°C)
- High-grade fever: Above 102°F (38.9°C)
Types of Fever
1 – Continuous Fever
✅Definition: In this type, body temperature remains consistently high with very little fluctuation (less than 1°C in 24 hours).
✅Causes: Typhoid, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, tuberculosis.
✅Symptoms: Persistent high temperature, fatigue, sweating, loss of appetite.
✅Treatment: Antibiotics (if bacterial), plenty of fluids, antipyretics like paracetamol.
2 – Intermittent Fever
✅Definition: Fever comes and goes at regular intervals during the day, and body temperature returns to normal between episodes.
✅Causes: Malaria, septicemia, endocarditis.
✅Symptoms: Chills, shivering, followed by sweating when fever subsides.
✅Treatment: Anti-malarial drugs (if malaria is the cause), antibiotics, rest, and hydration.
3 – Remittent Fever
✅Definition: The temperature fluctuates more than 1°C in 24 hours but never returns to normal.
✅Causes: Infective endocarditis, typhoid fever, brucellosis.
✅Symptoms: Fluctuating fever, weakness, headache, body aches.
✅Treatment: Based on cause; may include antibiotics, antipyretics, and supportive care.
4 – Relapsing Fever
✅Definition: Periods of fever alternate with periods of normal temperature that may last for a few days, and then the fever reappears.
✅Causes: Malaria, Borrelia infection (caused by lice or ticks).
✅Symptoms: High fever for several days, followed by relief, then recurrence.
✅Treatment: Antimalarial medications, antibiotics (for bacterial infections).
5 – Low-Grade Fever
✅Definition: A mild fever where temperature remains slightly above normal, usually between 99°F to 100.4°F.
✅Causes: Viral infections, allergies, post-vaccination, autoimmune diseases.
✅Symptoms: Mild fatigue, headache, body discomfort.
✅Treatment: Rest, hydration, symptomatic relief with paracetamol if needed.
6 – High-Grade Fever
✅Definition: Body temperature rises significantly above 102°F (38.9°C).
✅Causes: Severe bacterial or viral infections, dengue fever, COVID-19, pneumonia.
✅Symptoms: Severe weakness, chills, dehydration, confusion in extreme cases.
✅Treatment: Immediate medical attention, antibiotics or antivirals depending on the cause, IV fluids if necessary.
7 – Pel-Ebstein Fever
✅Definition: A rare type of fever that rises and falls in a cyclic pattern – fever for 3–10 days, followed by no fever for the next 3–10 days.
✅Causes: Commonly associated with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
✅Symptoms: Fever cycles, night sweats, weight loss, enlarged lymph nodes.
✅Characteristics of Pel-Ebstein Fever
- Cyclical Pattern: The fever typically follows a pattern of high fever lasting for several days (3-10 days), interspersed with periods of normal temperature.
- High-Grade Fevers: Temperatures can become quite high, exceeding 38.3°C (100.9°F), with some cases reported up to 39.6°C (103.4°F).
- Associated Symptoms: Patients may also experience rigors (shivering), night sweats, headache, and general malaise during the febrile periods.
- Lymphatic Swelling: In the early stages of Pel-Ebstein fever associated with Hodgkin’s disease, swollen lymph nodes and an enlarged spleen may enlarge during the fever episodes and then subside.
✅Treatment: Treatment of underlying lymphoma (chemotherapy, radiotherapy).
8 – Hectic Fever
Hectic fever is a type of fever that shows daily recurring spikes in body temperature, usually with periods of sweating and temporary relief in between. It is often associated with chronic infections and serious illnesses.
✅Key Features of Hectic Fever:
- High daily temperature rise (often in the evening).
- Sweating after the fever subsides.
- Weakness and weight loss if it continues for long.
- The fever comes and goes in a cyclical pattern.
✅Common Causes:
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Abscesses (like lung abscess or liver abscess)
- Septicemia (severe infection in blood)
- Other chronic infections
✅Symptoms Along with Fever:
- Chills followed by high fever
- Profuse sweating when fever falls
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue and body weakness
- Weight loss in long-standing cases
9 – Neutropenic Fever
Neutropenic fever is a medical emergency seen in patients with low neutrophil counts (neutropenia) and a single oral temperature of ≥38.3°C (101°F) or a sustained temperature of ≥38.0°C (100.4°F) for more than 1 hour.
Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that fight infections. When their count is very low, the body becomes highly vulnerable to infections.
✅Causes of Neutropenia
- Chemotherapy or radiation therapy (most common in cancer patients)
- Bone marrow disorders (aplastic anemia, leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome)
- Medications (antibiotics, antithyroid drugs, anticonvulsants)
- Severe infections that consume neutrophils
- Autoimmune diseases (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis)
✅Common Sources of Infection
- Respiratory tract
- Gastrointestinal tract
- Urinary tract
- Catheter-related infections
- Skin and mucous membranes
✅Symptoms of Neutropenic Fever
- Fever (often the only sign)
- Chills and sweating
- Mouth ulcers or sore throat
- Cough or difficulty breathing
- Burning sensation during urination
- Abdominal pain or diarrhea
- Redness, swelling, or pain around a catheter site
✅Diagnosis
- Blood tests – Complete blood count (CBC) to check absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
- Neutropenia: ANC < 1500/µL
- Severe neutropenia: ANC < 500/µL
- Blood cultures – to identify infection source
- Urine, sputum, stool cultures if needed
- Chest X-ray / CT scan if respiratory symptoms present
✅Management
Immediate treatment is crucial because infections can rapidly become life-threatening.
- Hospital admission (in most cases)
- Broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics within 60 minutes of fever detection
Example: Piperacillin-tazobactam, Cefepime, or Meropenem
- Antifungal or antiviral therapy if no improvement after 4–7 days
- Growth factors (G-CSF, GM-CSF) may be given to boost neutrophil production
- Supportive care: IV fluids, oxygen if needed, isolation to prevent infections
✅Prevention
- Prophylactic antibiotics or antifungals in high-risk patients
- Strict hand hygiene
- Avoiding raw or undercooked foods
- Wearing masks and avoiding crowded places during neutropenia
- Good catheter care
10 – Viral Fever
Viral fever is a condition caused by viral infections that lead to a rise in body temperature. Unlike bacterial infections, viral fevers are usually self-limiting, meaning they improve on their own within a few days. The fever occurs as the body’s natural defense mechanism against the invading virus.
✅Causes of Viral Fever
- Viral fever can be caused by several types of viruses, commonly spread through:
- Airborne droplets (coughing, sneezing)
- Contaminated food or water
- Mosquito bites (like dengue, chikungunya, Zika)
- Close contact with an infected person
✅Common Symptoms
Symptoms may vary depending on the type of virus, but general signs include:
- High body temperature (100°F – 104°F)
- Headache
- Fatigue and weakness
- Muscle and joint pain
- Sore throat
- Cough and cold
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Rashes (in some viral infections like measles, dengue, or chickenpox)
- Loss of appetite
✅Diagnosis
- Doctors diagnose viral fever through:
- Medical history and symptoms
- Physical examination
- Blood tests (to rule out bacterial infections, malaria, dengue, typhoid, etc.)
✅Treatment
- Since antibiotics do not work against viruses, treatment mainly focuses on symptom relief:
- Adequate rest and sleep
- Hydration (plenty of fluids, soups, ORS)
- Fever reducers like paracetamol (only under medical advice)
- Light, easily digestible diet
- Warm saline gargles for sore throat
- Most cases resolve in 3–7 days, but recovery time may vary depending on the virus.
11 – Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection caused by the dengue virus (DENV), which is transmitted mainly by the bite of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. It is common in tropical and subtropical regions, especially during the rainy season.
✅ Causes
- Caused by dengue virus (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, DENV-4)
- Spread through the bite of infected female Aedes mosquitoes (day-biting mosquitoes).
- Not spread directly from person to person.
✅ Symptoms (Usually appear 4–10 days after infection)
- Mild to Moderate Dengue
- Sudden high fever (up to 104°F / 40°C)
- Severe headache
- Pain behind the eyes
- Muscle and joint pain (“breakbone fever”)
- Nausea, vomiting
- Skin rash (appears after 3–4 days)
- Fatigue and weakness
- Severe Dengue (Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever / Dengue Shock Syndrome)
- Severe abdominal pain
- Persistent vomiting
- Bleeding gums or nosebleeds
- Blood in stool or urine
- Difficulty breathing
- Restlessness or drowsiness
- Drop in blood pressure (shock)
⚠️ Severe dengue can be life-threatening and requires immediate hospitalization.
✅ Diagnosis
- Blood tests:
- Dengue NS1 Antigen (early detection)
- Dengue IgM & IgG antibody test
- Complete blood count (low platelet & WBC count)
✅ Treatment
- No specific antiviral treatment – mainly supportive care.
- Rest and plenty of fluids.
- Paracetamol (acetaminophen) for fever & pain relief.
- Avoid aspirin/ibuprofen (increases bleeding risk).
- Hospitalization if severe symptoms appear.
- Platelet transfusion may be needed in severe cases.
✅ Prevention
- No widely available vaccine in many countries (Dengvaxia is limited to specific cases).
- Best prevention is mosquito control:
- Eliminate stagnant water (mosquito breeding sites).
- Use mosquito nets and repellents.
- Wear long-sleeved clothing.
- Keep surroundings clean.
12 – Malaria Fever
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium, which are transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is common in tropical and subtropical regions.
✅ Causes of Malaria
- Parasite: Mainly Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium knowlesi.
- Transmission: Bite of infected female Anopheles mosquito. Rarely, through blood transfusion, organ transplant, or from mother to baby during pregnancy.
✅ Symptoms of Malaria Fever
Symptoms usually appear 10–15 days after a mosquito bite.
- Initial Symptoms (flu-like)
- High fever (often with chills and shivering)
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Fatigue and weakness
- Classic Malaria Fever Pattern
- Cold stage: Chills, shivering
- Hot stage: High fever, sweating
- Sweating stage: Fever subsides, patient feels exhausted
- Severe Malaria (complications, mostly due to P. falciparum)
- Anemia
- Jaundice
- Seizures
- Kidney failure
- Cerebral malaria (coma, confusion)
✅Diagnosis
- Blood smear test (gold standard) – to identify parasite under a microscope
- Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) – detect malaria antigens in blood
- PCR tests (rare, research/complex cases)
✅Treatment
- Treatment depends on the type of malaria parasite and the severity:
- Uncomplicated Malaria
- Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) – e.g., Artemether-Lumefantrine
- Chloroquine (for sensitive strains only)
- Severe Malaria
- Intravenous Artesunate (preferred)
- Supportive care (fluids, blood transfusion, oxygen if needed)
13 – Typhoid Fever
Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella typhi. It spreads through contaminated food, water, or direct contact with an infected person. It is common in areas with poor sanitation and unsafe drinking water.
✅ Causes of Typhoid Fever
- Consuming contaminated water or food
- Poor hand hygiene after using the toilet
- Eating raw fruits or vegetables washed with contaminated water
- Close contact with an infected person
✅ Symptoms of Typhoid Fever
- Symptoms usually appear 1–3 weeks after exposure:
- Persistent high fever (often rising in the afternoon/evening)
- Abdominal pain and discomfort
- Headache and weakness
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Skin rash (rose-colored spots)
- Enlarged spleen and liver in some cases
✅ Diagnosis of Typhoid Fever
- Doctors may suggest tests like:
- Blood culture (gold standard)
- Widal test (antibody test, less specific)
- Stool or urine culture
✅ Treatment of Typhoid Fever
- Antibiotics (such as azithromycin, ceftriaxone, or ciprofloxacin – as prescribed)
- Plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration
- Nutritious, soft diet for easy digestion
- Complete bed rest
- Avoid self-medication to prevent antibiotic resistance
✅ Complications (if untreated)
- Intestinal bleeding or perforation
- Severe dehydration
- Encephalitis (brain inflammation)
- Multi-organ involvement
✅ Prevention of Typhoid Fever
✅ Drink only clean, boiled, or filtered water
✅ Wash hands with soap before eating and after using the toilet
✅ Avoid raw or street food in unhygienic conditions
✅ Get typhoid vaccination (recommended in endemic areas)
✅When to Seek Medical Help?
- Not all fevers require hospitalization, but immediate medical care is needed if you notice:
- Fever above 104°F (40°C)
- Fever lasting more than 3 days
- Severe headache, stiff neck, or breathing difficulty
- Confusion, seizures, or persistent vomiting
- Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, low urine output)
✅ Tips to Manage Fever at Home
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
- Take adequate rest.
- Wear light clothing to keep the body cool.
- Use a cold compress on the forehead.
- Take prescribed medicines only.
Types of Fever: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Types of Fever: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Types of Fever: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment