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Isn’t an illness
- A fever itself isn’t an illness. Rather, it’s a symptom of a wide range of health conditions. When your body temperature rises a few degrees above normal, it can be a sign that your immune system has been activated, often to fight an infection. It can also be a side effect of some medications and vaccinations.
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/10880-fever
Apr 25, 2024 · Illnesses that can cause a fever range from the common cold and sore throat to more serious conditions like pneumonia and appendicitis. A persistent low-grade fever may be the first sign of diseases such as lupus or certain cancers like lymphoma. Fever is different from hyperthermia.
- Overview
- They aren’t always contagious
- Respiratory viral diseases
- Gastrointestinal viral diseases
- Exanthematous viral disease
- Hepatic viral diseases
- Transmission
- Cutaneous viral diseases
- Hemorrhagic viral diseases
- Neurologic viral diseases
Viral diseases are caused by viruses. They can impact many parts of your body, including your respiratory system, digestive tract, and skin.
Viral disease definition
Viruses are very small infectious agents. They’re made up of a piece of genetic material, such as DNA or RNA, that’s enclosed in a coat of protein.
Viruses invade cells in your body and use components of those cells to help them multiply. This process often damages or destroys infected cells.
Not all viral diseases are contagious. This means they aren’t always spread from person to person. But many of them are. Common examples of contagious viral diseases include the flu, the common cold, HIV, and herpes.
Other types of viral diseases spread through other means, such as the bite of an infected insect.
Examples
Examples of respiratory diseases include: •flu •common cold •respiratory syncytial virus infection •adenovirus infection •parainfluenza virus infection •severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
Transmission
Respiratory viruses are spread by droplets generated through coughing or sneezing. If someone with a viral illness coughs or sneezes nearby and you inhale these droplets, you may develop the disease. These viruses can also be spread through contaminated objects, such as doorknobs, tabletops, and personal items. If you touch one of these objects and then touch your nose or eyes, you could develop a disease.
Treatment
Respiratory viral diseases usually heal on their own. But over-the-counter (OTC) medications, including nasal decongestants, cough suppressants, and pain relievers, can help to reduce symptoms. In addition, Tamiflu, an antiviral drug, is sometimes prescribed if someone is in the very early stages of developing the flu.
Examples
Examples of gastrointestinal viral diseases include: •norovirus infection •rotavirus infection •some adenovirus infections •astrovirus infection
Transmission
Gastrointestinal viruses are shed in the stool during bowel movements. Food or water that’s been contaminated by feces can spread the virus to others. You can also get the virus from sharing utensils or personal objects with someone who has a virus.
Treatment
There aren’t any treatments for gastrointestinal viral diseases. In many cases, they resolve on their own within a day or two. In the meantime, drink plenty of fluids to replace those lost from diarrhea or vomiting.
Examples
Examples of exanthematous viral diseases include: •measles •rubella •chickenpox/shingles •roseola •smallpox •fifth disease •chikungunya virus infection
Transmission
Many exanthematous viruses are spread through respiratory droplets from the cough or sneeze of someone with the virus. Other exanthematous viral diseases, such as chickenpox and smallpox, can be transmitted by coming into contact with fluid in broken skin lesions. Shingles only occurs in people who’ve had chickenpox at some point. It’s a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus that’s been lying dormant in your cells. Chikungunya virus is spread through a mosquito bite and cannot be transmitted from person to person.
Treatment
Treating exanthematous viral diseases focuses on managing symptoms. Fever-reducing medications, such as acetaminophen, can help with some of the more bothersome symptoms. Antiviral drugs, such as acyclovir, may be given for chickenpox or shingles.
Examples
Examples of hepatic viral diseases include: •hepatitis A •hepatitis B •hepatitis C •hepatitis D •hepatitis E
Hepatitis B and C can be transmitted from person to person through bodily fluids. Sharing items that come in to contact with blood, such as needles or razors, can also spread the virus. Hepatitis B can be spread through sexual contact.
People get hepatitis A and E by consuming food or water that’s been contaminated with feces from someone with the virus.
Examples
Examples of cutaneous viral diseases include: •warts, including genital warts •oral herpes •genital herpes •molluscum contagiosum
Examples
Examples of viral hemorrhagic diseases include: •Ebola •Lassa fever •dengue fever •yellow fever •Marburg hemorrhagic fever •Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever
Transmission
Some hemorrhagic viral diseases, such as dengue fever and yellow fever, are spread through the bite of an infected insect. Others, such as Ebola, are spread to other people through contact with the blood or other bodily fluid of someone with the virus. Lassa fever is spread through inhaling or consuming the dried feces or urine of a rodent with the virus.
Treatment
There’s no specific treatment for hemorrhagic viral diseases. It’s important to stay hydrated if you have a viral hemorrhagic disease. Some people may need intravenous (IV) fluids to maintain electrolyte balance. Supportive care to maintain hydration and electrolyte balance is essential. In some cases, the antiviral drug ribavirin may be given.
Examples
Examples of neurologic viral diseases include: •polio •viral meningitis •viral encephalitis •rabies
Aug 21, 2024 · Fever is an elevation in the body's temperature. It's not a disease but rather a sign or response to something occurring within the body, most commonly an infection. Noninfectious conditions or scenarios like inflammatory diseases or medication reactions can also cause a fever. John Fedele / Getty Images.
- Colleen Doherty, MD
What are the most common causes of fever? A fever has many causes and can be a symptom of almost any illness. Common conditions that cause fever include: Bacterial infections. Viral infections such as influenza or COVID-19. Gastrointestinal (GI) infections. Urinary tract infections. Skin infections. You may also develop a fever due to:
May 7, 2022 · A fever is a temporary rise in body temperature. It's one part of an overall response from the body's immune system. A fever is usually caused by an infection. For most children and adults, a fever may be uncomfortable. But it usually isn't a cause for concern. For infants, however, even a low fever may mean there's a serious infection.
Symptoms. 6 Causes. When to See the Doctor. Diagnosis. Treatments. Comments. More. What is a fever? The 5 types of fever are intermittent, remittent, continuous or sustained, hectic, and relapsing. A fever is a physiological problem when your body temperature is above the normal range.
People also ask
Is a fever a disease?
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Is fever a symptom of a viral infection?
Topic Contents. Overview. Check Your Symptoms. Self-Care. Preparing For Your Appointment. Related Information. Overview. A fever is the body's normal and healthy reaction to infection and other illnesses, both minor and serious. It helps the body fight infection. A fever is a symptom, not a disease.
