Viral fever is one of the most common ailments in the world. The term ‘viral fever’ actually refers to a large group of conditions where viral infections cause rise in body temperature. In medical terms, a fever caused as a result of viral infection is a viral fever.
Even though most of the infections have common symptoms, they affect specific organs. The course and duration of the infections vary and don’t follow any set pattern. They are often accompanied by body aches, running nose, cough, shivering, skin rash and irritability. One may or may not have all of these problems according to the type of infection.
Viral infections can affect any person, regardless of their age and gender. However, due to low immunity, children and old people are more susceptible to it. They will also usually experience more severe symptoms, which might even become fatal if the conditions worsen.
Viral fevers are seen worldwide and although they only require symptomatic treatments, some are highly contagious. Some of them are also highly dangerous and can lead to a patient’s death if treatment isn’t given in the early stages of the infection. Most of the times, people tend to ignore the symptoms but they should not take it lightly. Even if they do not want to see a doctor, then they should know about home health aide. For more information, visit https://www.exploremedicalcareers.com/home-health-aide/
Most of the viral infections are spread by the consumption of contaminated food or water, or by direct contact. Once in the body, the infection slowly spreads around the body and enters into the blood stream of the lymph channels. A number of the viral infections can also be transmitted through sex or by direct inoculation into blood. The duration of the primary infection may vary from days to several weeks. The manifestation of disease is generally the consequence of the virus multiplying rapidly at a specific part of the body.
Once the virus enters the body, there is an incubation period during which it increases in numbers to a level high enough to cause the infection. This is followed by general body ache and fatigue and slow rise in body temperature. The consequent fever may be low grade or high grade. Running nose, nasal congestion, headache, inflammation of throat, redness of eyes, cough and pain at joints are common symptoms at this point. The lymph glands may also swell up during the course of the infection. The body pains and cough may persist for days, even after the initial infection has healed and the danger has passed.
Though viral fevers are not usually dangerous, sometimes things may lead to more complicated conditions like pneumonia, diarrhea and arthritis. The viral fever can be treated with medication, though it is not necessary all time. Good rest and healthy, nutritious food during the phase is also important. Viruses have a short lifespan and the fever naturally dissipates most of the occasions. Personal hygiene is important for the prevention of viral infections. It’s also believed that once a person is infected with a virus, he or she can never be infected with that particular virus again. This is because the body makes antibodies to fight that particular virus.
Related posts: