Best Ways to Prevent Viral Fever

Generally, people have a body temperature of about 98.6°F i.e. 37°C. Anything above this temperature is considered a viral fever. A viral fever occurs due to viral infection or underlying viral illness. Often, a viral fever is a sign that your body is fighting off some type of bacterial or viral infection. Humans can be affected by a variety of viral infections starting from common cold to the flu. Some viral infections cause low-grade fever whereas some like dengue fever causes a high fever.

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Keep reading to know common symptoms, causes, and treatment of viral fever.

Symptoms of Viral Infection

In temperature, viral fevers can range from 99°F to more than 99°F depending on the underlying virus. Other symptoms of viral infection include:

• Chills and shivering
• Sweating
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Dehydration
• Cough and cold

What Causes Viral Fever?

Very small infectious agents called viruses cause a viral fever. They infect and multiply in number to infect the cells of your body. And fever is your body’s way to fight the virus. Many viruses are sensitive to shifts in temperature therefore the rise of body’s temperature makes you less welcoming to the viruses. Some ways in which you could be infected with a virus include:

• Inhalation: If someone in your surroundings sneezes or coughs and you breathe the droplets containing the virus, then you may also catch the fever. For instance, common cold or flu are some infections that can spread through inhalation.
• Ingestion: Food and drinks can also be contaminated with viruses and if eaten, they can develop an infection. These viruses include enteroviruses and norovirus.
• Bites: You can catch viral fever if bitten by an insect or other animal carrying the viruses. For instance, rabies, and dengue fever.
• Bodily Fluids: Exchange of bodily fluids with someone infected with a viral infection can cause illness to the uninfected person. For instance, HIV and Hepatitis B.

Many viral infections take their course and the immune system of a human body has to fight them off. But there are ways in which viral fever can be prevented and treated. Read them below:

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Ways to Prevent Viral fever Infections

Here are the best ways to prevent viral fever:

1. Wash Your Hands: Not only children, but adults should also follow the habit of washing hands thoroughly with soap and water after coming home from outside, touching a dirty surface, before and after eating food, etc. This prevents you from catching an infection.

2. Cover Your Mouth And Nose: It is important to cover your nose and mouth not only when you cough or sneeze, but when others around you do it too. It prevents you from breathing in their germs and causing an infection.

3. Avoid Direct Contact With a Sick Person: Viral infections are contagious and therefore you should avoid getting in direct contact with the infected person.

4. Prevent Mosquito Bites: Viral infections like dengue spread through mosquito bites. Therefore, you should use a mosquito net or a repellant when sleeping and keep the windows and doors of the house shut.

Viral Fever Treatment

Generally, viral fevers do not require specific treatment. Unlike bacterial infections, they do not respond to antibiotics. Some measures that can provide some relief are as follows:

• Taking rest as much as possible
• Taking over fever reducers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce fever.
• Drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
• Bringing body temperature down by sitting in a lukewarm bath
• Taking antiviral medications like oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu) when applicable

Bottom Line

Resulting from a viral infection, most viral fevers resolve on their own within a day or two, whereas some are more severe and require medical attention. So, if the temperature of the body starts rising above the normal temperature, then call the doctor without any delay.

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Disclaimer: This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive in nature and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.​