A fever may be defined as a rise in the body's core temperature at its most fundamental level. According to CDC, to be considered to have a fever, a person must have a temperature that is at least 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit higher than their normal temperature to be considered to have an elevated temperature. Also, according to Kathryn Boling, "it's been contested by the medical profession, but it's widely accepted that a normal body temperature is at or near 98.6 degrees,"

When you have a fever, what changes take place inside your body?

According to the website MedlinePlus maintained by the United States National Library of Medicine, a fever often indicates that your body is attempting to combat a disease or infection. Fever indicates that the immune response is fighting something and that all organ functions are working to prioritize the health of vital organs.

When you have a fever, the hypothalamus, a tiny part of your brain that, among other things, functions as an internal thermostat, sends a signal to your body to raise its temperature, as stated by Laura Miller. Your hypothalamus is a component of your brain that may be found in the exact middle of your forehead.

At that time, a chain reaction of events is set in motion, including the constriction of blood vessels in the periphery of the body to redirect blood flow to the organs that are more vital to the body's function and the reduction of heat loss via the skin. A chain reaction of events is set into motion, one of which is the constriction of blood arteries in the periphery of the body to redirect blood flow to the organs considered more vital.

Arindam Sarkar, You've probably heard that raising your body temperature may inhibit the development of germs, boost the immune response of your white blood cells, and encourage the production of biochemical reinforcements. In most cases, a fever indicates that your body is trying to fight against an invader that has found its way inside.

According to Erik Blutinger, most bacteria and viruses can thrive in your body just fine when your temperature is normal. However, he notes that if you have a fever, it may be more difficult for them to live.

What are the most common causes of fever?

According to Medline Plus, there is a very long list of different health problems that have the potential to induce a fever. However, in general, these health problems may be grouped into the following categories:

• A case of infection
• Several pharmaceuticals in total
• Cancers Illnesses Related to Heat
• Autoimmune disorders
• Certain vaccines are given to children

According to Dr. Gulati, even so, an infection of some kind—bacterial, fungal, or viral—is almost always the most prevalent cause of fever. To be more precise, she explains that "cold viruses are the most prevalent cause of fever, and prior to COVID-19, we'd urge folks to let it take its course simply." She notes that most cold viruses are coronaviruses, but "COVID-19 is significantly more harmful than the ones we detect."

Dr. Sarkar agrees, stating that bacterial and viral diseases bring on most fevers. Rarely, systemic rheumatic illnesses and malignancies may be the source of a persistent fever for which there is no apparent explanation.

What measures should you take if you notice that you have a fever?

First and foremost, you must know the following information: "If you generally feel well, you don't necessarily need to take anything for it. However, if you are experiencing discomfort or if your fever is extremely high, Dr. Cutler recommends that you consider taking medication to bring down your fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. He also emphasizes the need to maintain proper hydration.

According to Dr. Boling, you should also note your other symptoms since they may provide your physician with information that might assist them in determining what could be causing your fever. In addition, as fever may be an indicator of COVID-19, it is a good idea to speak with your physician about the subsequent actions to take if you have one, as recommended by Dr. Gulati. According to her, "COVID-19 has altered everything" regarding how medical professionals treat patients experiencing fevers. In most cases, testing for COVID-19 is performed with investigations into potential other reasons for the patient's disease.