Viral Fever Symptoms - Treatment, Causes, Types & Medicine

When a viral infection causes fever, it is known to be a viral fever. A viral fever signifies that a virus has entered the body, and the immune system works against it. 

The average human body temperature is generally about 37°C  (97°F). Any temperature beyond that can be regarded as a viral fever. Frequently, there are two grades of viral fever.

1. High-grade viral fever: The temperature reaches above 100 F (37°C) and can extend to 104°F (40°C). It usually happens in viral fevers like Dengue. 
2. Low-grade viral fever: The temperature stays below 100 F (37°F). It generally occurs in viral infections, such as the common cold. 

Normal viral fever lasts up to five days. If the viral fever continues even after this time, consult a doctor immediately, as this can indicate a severe viral infection like Dengue, Covid19, Malaria, etc. 

There are broadly five types of viral fever. These are as follows:

1. Neurologic Viral Fever

These viral fevers cause neurological illness by attacking the patient's central nervous system. 

For example:

1. Viral encephalitis
2. Rabies
3. Polio
4. Viral meningitis

Hemorrhagic Viral Fever

This viral fever increases the body temperature tremendously. Additionally, they create a situation that causes internal bleeding. For instance, they damage arteries and cause leakage, leading to internal bleeding. 

For example:

1. Dengue
2. Lassa
3. Ebola
4. Yellow fever

Viral Enteritis

This is the inflammation of the inner lining of the gastrointestinal tract. These are generally caused by norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus. 

Exanthemata Viral Fever

This viral fever causes rashes on the skin. 

For example:

1. Chickenpox
2. Measles
3. Mumps

Respiratory Viral Fever

These virals affect the respiratory tract of the patient. 

For example:

1. Flu
2. Common cold
3. Influenza

One can see the following signs in the viral fever patient:

1. Runny nose
2. Redness in the eyes
3. Skin rashes
4. Faintness

These are the following viral fever symptoms a patient can undergo:

1. Chills
2. Muscle pain (myalgia)
3. Headache
4. Fatigue
5. Joint pain (arthralgia)
6. Loss of appetite

Viral fever, as the name suggests, is caused by a virus. When this virus enters the body, the immune system becomes active. Thus, it releases chemicals like pyrogens to fight off the virus. 

As a defence mechanism, pyrogen increases the body’s temperature to kill the virus. This is how viral fever develops in the body. 

As viral fever is a contagious disease, the virus spreads to others in the following ways: 

1. Drug Abuse: Sharing drugs or drug-related equipment like injections can spread the viral fever. 
2. Bites: Many times, insects and animals carry the virus. Therefore, the virus spreads and causes viral fever when they bite a person. 
3. Bodily fluid: Viruses often spread through body fluids, like mucus and semen. Hence, one should stay safe from respiratory droplets. Also, avoid maintaining physical relations. 
4. Foods and drinks: Food and beverages contaminated with a virus may also spread the viral infection. Thereupon causing viral fever. 

Here are a few risk factors for viral fever:

1. Coming in contact with an infected person.
2. Eating and drinking with unwashed hands.
3. Not covering the mouth when sneezing or coughing.
4. Travelling to areas where there’s a rise in viral fever cases. 

These are the following ways to prevent viral fever:

1. Get vaccinated to avoid catching the virus.
2. Wash hands frequently.
3. Cover mouth and nose while sneezing and coughing.
4. Avoid travelling to viral fever endemic areas.
5. Avoid sharing personal equipment.
6. Do not make any physical relations with someone infected.
7. Maintain strict hygiene.
8. Avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes and insects by using mosquito repellents and nets. 
9. Do not share needles.

There's no single way to diagnose a viral fever. The Doctor could conduct the following diagnosis for viral fever:

1. Patient's History
   The Doctor will ask the patient about previous diseases, if any. For instance, the Doctor can ask the patient if they have suffered from diseases like pneumonia, dengue, malaria, measles, etc.
   This would help the Doctor to evaluate the viral infection. 
2. Clinical Examinations
   The Doctor can perform specific physical exams to guess if the fever is viral.
   For instance, the Doctor could check signs and symptoms such as rashes, faintness, and muscle pain to diagnose the fever. 
3. Investigations (if any)

The Doctor can advise a variety of diagnostic tests for viral fevers, including: 

1. WBC count test (most preferred test )
2. Urine test
3. Blood test 
4. Sputum test
5. Swab test
6. Antibody test

How to prepare for the Doctor's consultation? 

1. Talk to the hospital faculty and set an early appointment with the Doctor. 
2. Carry previous medical reports (if you had any severe viral fever in the past)
3. If the patient has any other disease, the Doctor can ask questions regarding it.
4. The Doctor can ask the patient to undergo several diagnostic tests. 
5. Wear a comfortable dress. This would ease the diagnostic process. 

What questions should you ask the Doctor about viral fever?  

One can ask anything related to viral fever. Still, there are a few specific questions to ask the Doctor:

1. What is the recovery period in my case?
2. How to prevent viral fever from worsening further?
3. Is the viral fever severe in my case?
4. How to prevent viral fever?
5. How to avoid spreading viral fever?
6. What foods to eat and avoid with viral fever?
7. What are the risk factors for viral fever?
8. What is the best medicine to treat a viral fever?
9. Do I need complete bed rest?
10. Can I go outside, e.g. work or school?
11. Is there any home remedy for viral fever?

These are the different types of treatment options for viral fever:

Home remedies

1. Use ginger and turmeric
2. Lukewarm water
3. Eat immunity booster fruits like citrus fruit
4. Take water steam (not suggested for children)

Lifestyle changes that help, if any.

1. Exercise as it helps to relieve nasal congestion
2. Eat foods rich in Vit C to boost immunity
3. Avoid junk foods and cold drinks
4. Take warm baths 

Medications

1. The doctor may suggest antipyretics (medications that lower fever) for high-grade fever. The doctor may also recommend antivirals to treat the viral infection. 

Exceptional cases (Pregnancy, Children, etc.) 

Pregnancy

1. If a pregnant woman has caught a viral fever, she must ensure proper hydration to recover. 

Children

1. Parents must not give steam to their children. 
2. All medications should be handled by the parents and not the child. 

Alternative options (Alternative medicines - Homeopathy, Ayurveda etc.)

Ayurvedic Medicines

1. Coriander seed - It has essential phytonutrients that boost the immune system.
2. Holy basil - Tulsi contains antiviral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties, which help to minimise viral symptoms, such as headache, cough, cold, etc.
3. Honey Ginger Tea - Together, these components boast anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antioxidant, and anti-microbial properties, which help to cure viral symptoms and lessen infection. 

Homoeopathic Medicines

1. For Malaria 
2. Gelsemium, 
3. Arsenic Album, 
4. Nux Vomica
5. Influenza
6. Eupatorium Perfoliatum
7. For fever and body pain
8. Bryonia Alba

When to see a doctor?

Viral fever is often not a severe illness. However, if symptoms persist and the patient feels no relief, visit a doctor. 

A few points to consider are as follows:

1. Extreme body pain
2. High fever
3. Difficulty breathing
4. Chills 
5. Vomit

Risks if not treated in time 

If not treated in time, the viral fever:

1. It can attack the immune system and cause a secondary infection. 
2. It can lead to sepsis. 
3. can cause internal bleeding
4. can lessen the red blood cells (which carry oxygen) 

In severe cases, it may lead to death. 

1. The patient should take foods rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammation, anti-microbial, and anti-bacterial properties. 
2. The diet must be light and easy to digest. 
3. The patient must avoid cold water.

Some foods that help with viral fever are as follows:

1. Ginger
2. Chicken broth
3. Green vegetables
4. Lemon
5. Hot soups
6. Herbal tea
7. Tulsi seeds and tea
8. Turmeric
9. Oatmeal

Also, drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.