11.7:
Types of Fever
A fever can be caused by infection, an impaired nervous system, malignant neoplasms, blood diseases, heatstroke, dehydration, surgical trauma, crushing injuries, and allergic reactions.
The following are several different types of fever.
Rigor is a fever characterized by a sudden shivering attack in which the body temperature rapidly increases.
Hyperthermia occurs when the thermoregulatory mechanism exhausts and fails to compensate for the extra heat produced by the body.
Malignant hyperthermia is a hypermetabolic response associated with uncontrolled heat generation that develops when certain anesthetic medications are administered to susceptible individuals.
Heatstroke occurs due to prolonged exposure to the sun, resulting in the body temperature rising to 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. It is characterized by dry skin and central nervous system abnormalities like convulsions, delirium, or coma.
Neurogenic fever occurs when conditions like cerebral trauma, intracranial hemorrhage, or elevated intracranial pressure damage the hypothalamus.
A fever of unknown origin is a fever that persists for more than three weeks and remains undiagnosed even after investigations.
11.7:
Types of Fever
Fever can be triggered by several factors, including infections, nervous system disorders, certain cancers, blood diseases like leukemia, embolism, thrombosis, heatstroke, dehydration, surgical trauma, crushing injuries, and allergic reactions.
Here are the different types of fever:
- • Rigor: This type of fever is characterized by a sudden and severe attack of shivering, during which body temperature quickly rises to hyperpyrexia levels.
- • Hyperthermia: Occurs when the body temperature exceeds 104°F (40°C) due to intense heat exposure or excessive heat generation, overwhelming the body's thermoregulatory mechanisms.
- • Malignant Hyperthermia: A genetic disorder associated with uncontrolled heat production that occurs when susceptible individuals are exposed to certain anesthetic medications.
- • Heatstroke: Identified by a body temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher, hot, dry skin, and central nervous system abnormalities, such as confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness.
- • Neurogenic Fever results from damage to the hypothalamus caused by conditions like cerebral trauma, intracranial hemorrhage, or elevated intracranial pressure. This type of fever does not respond to antipyretic (fever-reducing) drugs.
- • Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO): This is defined as a fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher that persists for three weeks or longer without an identifiable cause after initial investigation.