Understanding the different types of fever is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment.

Here are detailed explanations of intermittent, remittent, and continuous fevers:

INTERMITTENT FEVER

Definition: Intermittent fever is characterized by episodes of fever that recur at regular intervals. 

The body temperature alternates between normal and elevated states, with fever-free periods in between.

Patterns

  • Quotidian: Fever occurs daily.
  • Tertian: Fever occurs every third day.
  • Quartian: Fever occurs every fourth day.

Common Causes: Malaria is a classic example of intermittent fever, with the fever cycles corresponding to the life cycle of the malaria parasite.

Symptoms

  • Sudden onset of high fever followed by chills.
  • Profuse sweating as the fever breaks.
  • Periods of normal temperature between fever episodes.

Key Points: Each fever episode is often predictable based on the specific pattern, and symptoms may include severe chills and sweating.

REMITTENT FEVER

Definition: Remittent fever is characterized by fluctuations in body temperature over a 24-hour period, but the temperature does not return to normal. 

The fever is persistent with only slight variations in intensity.

Patterns

  • Temperature varies, typically higher in the evening.
  • The lowest temperature of the day is still above normal.

Common Causes: Common in diseases such as bacterial infections, typhoid fever, and some viral infections.

Symptoms

  • Continuous fever with periods of exacerbation and relief.
  • General malaise, body aches, and fatigue.
  • May be accompanied by symptoms specific to the underlying cause, like gastrointestinal issues in typhoid fever.

Key Points: Although the fever remains high, it varies throughout the day, often causing significant discomfort and fatigue.

CONTINUOUS FEVER

Definition: Continuous fever, also known as sustained fever, is characterized by a persistent elevation in body temperature that does not fluctuate significantly over a 24-hour period.

Patterns

  • Body temperature remains elevated, with minimal daily variation (less than 1°C or 1.5°F).
  • Consistent fever without the normal temperature range.

Common Causes: Pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and other serious bacterial infections.

Symptoms

  • Steady high fever.
  • Continuous feeling of heat and discomfort.
  • Symptoms related to the underlying infection, such as cough, pain, or other localized signs.

Key Points: The fever is constant, which can be particularly exhausting and may require continuous monitoring and treatment.

Summary
  • Intermittent Fever: Cycles of fever and normal temperature, seen in malaria.
  • Remittent Fever: Persistent fever with daily variations, common in typhoid and bacterial infections.
  • Continuous Fever: Constant elevated temperature, typical in serious bacterial infections like pneumonia.

Each type of fever has distinct patterns and causes, which helps healthcare providers determine the appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT FEVER

Natural Defence Mechanism

  • Fever is the body’s natural response to infection.
  • It helps fight off invading bacteria and viruses by creating an environment less favourable for their growth.

Ancient Remedies

  • Ancient civilizations, such as the Greeks and Egyptians, recognized fever as a symptom of disease and used various natural remedies like herbs and cold baths to treat it.

Body Temperature Variability

  • Normal body temperature varies throughout the day.
  • It tends to be lower in the morning and higher in the late afternoon and evening, a phenomenon known as diurnal variation.

Febrile Seizures

  • Some children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years may experience febrile seizures when they have a high fever.
  • These seizures are usually harmless and do not indicate a long-term health issue.

Fever Without Infection

  • Fever can be caused by non-infectious conditions such as autoimmune diseases, heat exhaustion, and certain medications.

Height of Fever

  • The height of a fever does not always correlate with the severity of an illness.
  • For example, viral infections often cause high fevers, whereas severe bacterial infections may cause only a moderate fever.

Role of Hypothalamus

  • The hypothalamus, a part of the brain, acts as the body’s thermostat.
  • When it detects pyrogens (fever-inducing substances) in the blood, it raises the body’s set point temperature.

Evolutionary Advantage

  • Some scientists believe fever has an evolutionary advantage by enhancing the immune response, including increasing the production of white blood cells and antibodies.

Fever Myths

  • Contrary to popular belief, a fever itself is not dangerous unless it reaches extremely high temperatures (above 106°F or 41°C), which can cause brain damage.

Behavioural Changes

  • Fever often comes with behavioural changes like reduced appetite, increased thirst, and lethargy, which help conserve energy and water, allowing the body to focus on fighting the infection.

Fever Patterns

  • Different diseases exhibit characteristic fever patterns.
  • For example, malaria typically causes intermittent fevers, while typhoid fever causes a stepwise increase in temperature over several days.

Cultural Practices

  • Various cultures have unique practices for managing fever, such as using cold compresses, herbal teas, and sweat lodges to help reduce body temperature.