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Fever

Fever is a frequent medical symptom that describes an increase in internal body temperature to levels that are above normal (37 degrees Celsius, 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

Fever is most accurately characterized as a temporary elevation in the body’s thermoregulatory set-point, which is usually by about 1-2 degrees Celsius.

In hospitals fever is daily recorded with fever charts.

The elevation in thermoregulatory set-point means that the previous "normal body temperature" is considered hypothermic, and effector mechanisms kick in.

The person who is developing the fever has a cold sensation, and an increase in heart rate, muscle tone and shivering attempt to counteract the perceived hypothermia, thereby reaching the new thermoregulatory set-point.

Note: The above text is excerpted from the Wikipedia article "Fever", which has been released under the GNU Free Documentation License.

For more information, see the following related content on ScienceDaily:

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May 24, 2010 — In a tropical environment, influenza A(H1N1) appeared milder than seasonal flu, was less likely to cause fever and upset stomach and more likely to infect younger individuals, according to a new ... read more

Magnesium During Labor May Reduce Risk of Fever in Mothers and Complications in Babies

Oct. 25, 2015 — Women who received magnesium sulfate during labor were less likely to develop maternal fever, a condition that can lead to a variety of complications in newborns including difficulty breathing, ... read more

H1N1: Infrared Thermal Detection Systems Useful for Patient Screening

Mar. 22, 2010 — Researchers found an Infrared Thermal Detection System (ITDS) to be a fast and effective fever screening tool in clinical settings during the H1N1 influenza pandemic. The ITDS detected fever in ... read more

Brain Circuits Involved in Stress-Induced Fevers Identified

June 26, 2014 — When we feel mentally stressed, we often also feel physiological changes, including an increase in body temperature. This increase in body temperature is known as psychological stress-induced ... read more

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