All original work can be found on pages 26 to 27 of the black sketchbook.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fever
AKA: Pyrexia or febrile response
"... is defined as having a temperature above the normal range due to an increase in the body's temperature set point. (36.5-37.5 °C )"
This increase in temperature causes muscle contractions and a feeling of cold. This causes the body to produce more heat and conserve heat. When the set point temperature returns to normal, the person becomes flushed, hot and begins to perspire.
Fevers do not usually go higher than 41-42 °C.
Fevers can be caused by many conditions ranging from non-serious to life-threatening:
Common cold
UTI (Urine Retract Infection)
Meningitis
Malaria
Appendicitis
Treatment is not generally required, although Ibuprofen or Paracetamol can help to lower the temperature. However, young children and people with a weakened immune system may require medical attention.
Fevers are also one of the most common medical signs and is a useful defence mechanism.
It accompanies sickness behaviour, which consists of lethargy, depression, anorexia, sleepiness, hyperalgesia and a lack of concentration.
Under arm ---> auxillary
Ear ---> tympanic (Used to check temperatures in people)
There is a set range for diagnosing temperatures.
A fever is only diagnosed when the person's factors are all taken into account, such as sex, age, time of day, ambient temperature, activity level and more. For example, a high temperature may not be a fever, and a normal temperature could be. It depends on the person.
There are many different types, including continuous, intermittent, quotidian, tertian, quartan, remittent, Pel-Ebstein neutropenic and febricula.
Hyperpyrexia is an extreme elevation of body temperature which, depending on the source, is classified as a core body temperature greater than or equal o 40.0 or 41.5 °C . It is considered a medical emergency. It can be caused by intracranial haemorrhage, sepsis, Kawasaki Syndrome and drug overdose.
Infections are the most common cause of fevers. Immediate aggressive cooling to less than 38.9 °C has been found to improve survival.
Fevers are a common symptom of many medical conditions.
Infectious disease - influenza, HIV, malaria, Ebola, infectious mononucleosis, gastroenteritis, Lyme disease and Dengue
Various skin inflammations, e.g., boils, abscess
Immunological diseases
Tissue destruction, etc.
The above list is not exhaustive.
Chemicals which cause fevers
Temperature is ultimately regulated in the hypothalamus, located in the centre-bottom of the brain. A trigger of the fever, called a pyrogen, causes release of prostaglandrin E2. This acts on the hypothalamus, creating a systemic response in the body, causing heat-generating effects to match a new higher temperature set point.
The hypothalamus acts like a thermostat. When the set point is raised, the body increases its temperature through both active generation of heat and retention of heat.
Peripheral narrowing of blood vessels both reduces heat loss through the skin ans causes the person to feel cold.
https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/fevers-causes-symptoms-treatments#2
The hypothalamus may reset the body to a higher temperature in response to an infection, illness, or something else.
Treatment (13/12/2018)
https://www.healthline.com/symptom/fever
Depending on its severity, a low-grade fever doesn't usually require medical treatment, if it is not accompanied by any other symptoms. Drinking fluids and resting in bed usually fight these off.
When accompanied by mild symptoms, such as general discomfort or dehydration, usually:
Making sure the room temperature the afflicted person is in is comfortable
Taking Paracetamol, Ibuprofen or Tylenol
Drinking plenty of fluids
A fever is considered a medical emergency when a child is/has:
Confused
Has an inability to walk
Has trouble breathing
Chest pain
Seizures
Hallucinations
Inconsolable crying
Prevention
The main way to prevent a fever is if you limit exposure to infectious agents.
You can limit your exposure by:
Washing your hands after every daily activity
Carry hand sanitiser or antibacterial wipes with you
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as viruses and bacteria have easy access to your body this way
Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing
Avoid sharing crockery or cutlery with others
12/12/2018 - 13/12/2018