Chronic Low-grade Fever

We all, at some point in time, suffer from fever. During this period, we feel weak, with our immunity system gone for a virtual toss. When our immunity plummets, we are bound to suffer from infections; and fever is one of the most common ailments that one may endure. It is not surprising to note when we hear people exclaim that they don't need to pay a visit at the doctor's clinic, as enduring fever is not an issue to gloat over. One is sure that he/she is bound to get better in a few day's time. However, there could be times when you take your health for granted and fail to recognize the difference between acute fever and chronic fever. There have been times when chronic fever continues to purge in the system, and we, in our utmost ignorant moods, tend to neglect the situation. A fever, also referred to a pyrexia or controlled hyperthermia, is endured when the body temperature rises above the normal range, that is 97 to 99 degrees F. This is a warning sign of the body indicating that there is an infection that is persisting in the body, and is thus inhibiting the system to function normally. Generally, a low-grade fever does not rise above 101 degree F. This fever is thus, not considered dangerous causing serious damage to health.

Symptoms of Chronic Low-grade Fever

Rise in Body Temperature
Fever occurs because your body tries to fight the virus or the infection that has set in, by increasing its temperature. Therefore, a fever is often, best left untreated. You should neither panic nor act completely negligent towards the symptom. However, you must keep in mind that if the fever rises above 101 degrees F, it would be advisable to consult your health care specialist.

Headache
A headache -- being a symptom of low-grade fever -- occurs because of dehydration associated with fever. It may also be due to the nasal congestion that one faces. It becomes a mandatory proposition to consume plenty of liquids and keep yourself well-hydrated. Staying hydrated will help control your fever and loosen nasal mucus.

Body Ache
You are bound to experience a throbbing and uncomfortable ache in your back, arms and legs. Over-the-counter pain-relieving medications could be resorted to, if the pain is no more tolerable. The body ache would subside as the system gets rid of the infection.

Causes of Chronic Low-grade Fever

Viral Infections
Cough and cold is one of the most common causes of a low-grade fever. Parasites, viruses, and fungi enter the body and try to destroy its defense mechanism. It is due to this reason that the body goes into a defense mode and raises the body temperature, to kill the infections.

Chickenpox
This is the most common cause of low-grade fever in children. It is an ailment that invades the system, characterized by small red rash all over the body.

Wound Infections
Any wound that has been caused by an injury can manifest into an infection. Generally, when the wound does not heal and keeps manifesting itself, the body can endure fever. It could be an infection that keeps recurring.

Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, affecting the lungs as a result. This leads to symptoms such as chronic cough, accompanied with fever and blood in the sputum.

Allergies
Allergies are caused when histamine enters our body. In order to protect one from this, the body produces antihistamines. The body also produces pyrogens in response to the allergy that is caused; due to which fever and headache is caused.

Myosistis
Myositis muscle disorder is an ailment that is caused due to chronic muscle inflammation, thereby leading to progressive muscle weakness and deterioration.

Mumps
This is caused by the rubulavirus and is a very contagious disease. The swelling of salivary glands, pancreas, and sometimes ovaries and testes takes place.

Stress
Well, it could be extremely uncanny when you hear that stress causes low-grade fever. With the increasing demand and tensions that are faced by adults, stress is one of the main factor that causes fever. This causes the body to go into an overdrive mode, and as a result, there are certain abnormal functions that begin to take place in the body.

Sinusitis
This condition, also known as sinus infection, is very common. This condition is caused due to the sinus cavities swelling up, causing a severe inflammation behind the nose and eyes.

Other Causes

The causes given below are segregated because they are not very common in terms of occurrence. Some are very rare and some just miss the category of being extremely common in nature. Other triggers may be:

• Hormonal Imbalance
• Hepatitis
• Typhoid
• HIV/AIDS
• Chickenpox
• Leukemia
• Chikungunya
• Chronic Abscess
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• Mononucleosis
• Autoimmune Disease
• Rheumatoid Arthritis

Treatment for Chronic Low-grade Fever

Visit your medical therapist once you start to have the slightest inkling that your health is deteriorating. To aid you and help you feel better, your practitioner will prescribe some antiviral medicines. Medications, like, ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen, are also administered to adults who chronically suffer from low-grade fever. You need to bear an important fact in mind, and that is consuming lots of fluids will provide your body the required strength to fight off the fever.

Chronic low-grade fever is not a condition that requires you to feel stressed out. However, it is also important that you take care of your health, as a health situation could transform into a health crises, much before you realize. After all, health does not thrive on neglect!