Why my body is heating up ? What is Fever?

Optimum body temperature for regulation and proper functioning in an healthy individual is about 37°C (98.6°F). Fever is the body temperature higher than the normal temperature i.e, 38°C and above. Fever is induced by pyrogenic substance that can be endogenous or exogenous to our body, external bodies like viruses and bacteria is an example of exogenous pyrogen. Fever also develops during the production of prostaglandins, that is needed to fight germs.

Fever Profile

Persistent fever could be an underlying cause for several infectious diseases such as chikungunya fever, malaria fever, typhoid fever, etc. It is the major symptom that helps recognize diseases. The fever profile consists of blood tests that screens for the presence of causative factors.

1. Malaria- Malaria is a parasitic infection that belong to plasmodium species, transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes. Parasites present in the mosquitos’s saliva is transmitted into an individual’s blood through mosquito bites. Fever is the frequent indication on examination that may progress into severe malaria.

Malarial Antigen

A blood test examines the presence of malarial antigen in the blood released by the malarial parasite. Positive result may indicate the risk of malaria.

2. Typhoid-

Typhoid fever is majorly caused by Salmonella typhi (gram negative bacterium) and salmonella paratyphi. Common pathway for proliferating infection is through ingestion of an infected organism. Source of infection can be poor hygiene and contaminated sewage water supply. Typhoid manifests slow rise in fever and toxicity.
Typhoid Test- This test determines the presence of typhoid bacteria or typhoid DNA in the blood.

Dengue virus belongs to the family of Flaviviridae, that is transmitted by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. It influences from mild asymptomatic illness to severe dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome.

Dengue Antibody Test- IgG and IgM

A blood test that determines the presence of antibodies produced by immune system of a person exposed to dengue viruses.

Got tensed when you or your loved ones had a fever? Fever may be thought as a negative health problem that should be avoided, however, its your body’s natural way to express the presence of certain bacteria inside the body. It is often a sign of a healthy and well functioning immune system. So, in the upcoming occurrences, instead of getting scared try to know the actual problem by keeping certain tests checked.