Key Points to Consider and How to Manage a Fever

A fever occurs when the brain’s temperature-regulating center malfunctions, causing the body’s temperature to rise above normal.

While it can be difficult to identify the cause of a fever based on temperature alone, accompanying symptoms can provide clues.

Fevers Accompanied by Respiratory Symptoms

If a fever is accompanied by respiratory symptoms like cough, phlegm, sore throat, body aches, and digestive symptoms, influenza may be the cause. Severe flu or colds can progress to breathing difficulties, chest pain, or cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the lips and nails), potentially leading to conditions like acute bronchitis or pneumonia. Lung cancer can also present with low-grade fever, though occasionally with high fever.

Fevers with Central Nervous System Symptoms

If high fever is accompanied by severe headaches, altered consciousness, seizures, or dizziness, meningitis or encephalitis may be suspected. Meningitis often causes nuchal rigidity, where the neck becomes stiff and cannot bend forward.

Fevers with Digestive Symptoms

If fever and pain occur in the right upper abdomen, it may indicate liver or gallbladder diseases such as acute hepatitis A or cholelithiasis (gallstones). Right lower abdominal pain can signal acute appendicitis. Hepatitis A, transmitted through food or water, may occasionally progress to a severe form known as fulminant hepatitis.

Fevers with Urinary Symptoms

If fever is accompanied by painful or frequent urination and lower back pain, acute pyelonephritis may be suspected. Fever occurring 1-2 weeks after an upper respiratory infection, accompanied by blood in the urine or swelling, can indicate acute glomerulonephritis.

Other Causes

High fever may also occur with autoimmune diseases common in women, such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Bacterial food poisoning from Salmonella can lead to symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes high fever.

If you contract an infectious disease, take precautions to prevent spreading it to others.

What to Do if You Have a Fever

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020, it has become standard to identify the cause of fever and rest until it subsides. Regardless of the cause, rest and plenty of sleep are fundamental.

If you wish to reduce the fever quickly, keep warm, stay hydrated, and consume foods that increase body warmth or boost immunity, such as ginger, green onions, and vitamin C-rich foods.

Drink fluids at room temperature or slightly warm, avoiding very cold drinks.

Additionally, consuming well-known warming foods like ginger and green onions not only helps to warm the body but also offers antibacterial and sweating effects.

Foods like ginger tea, rice porridge with green onions, and udon with ginger and green onions are excellent choices. Vitamin C-rich citrus fruits like lemons and mandarins are easy to eat and refreshing, even when you’re unwell.

If the fever is particularly uncomfortable, you can use an over-the-counter antipyretic. However, it’s essential to rest adequately.

This method is effective if the cause of the fever is known and your doctor has advised rest. If the cause is unknown, lowering the fever without understanding the source can worsen the symptoms, so take caution.