What is febrile syndrome?
Febrile syndrome is an elevation of body temperature beyond normal and is most often caused by infectious diseases and other non-infectious conditions that trigger inflammatory response. There are different types:
- Continuous: in which the degree varies.
- Remitting: when variations are of greater degree.
- Intermittent: with afebrile periods of less than one day.
- Recurrent: with afebrile periods of several days.
- Undulant: as a result of several types of fever.
Prognosis of the disease
The prognosis of the disease will depend on the focus of infection. With proper treatment it should not be a major problem, but it is important to consult a specialist and study the patient’s medical history in order to make an accurate and precise diagnosis.
Symptoms of febrile syndrome
The main symptoms are:
- High fever
- Chills
- General malaise
- Anorexia
- Headache
- Bone pain
- Seizures when the fever is very high
The prognosis of the disease will depend on the focus of infection.
Medical tests for febrile syndrome
To make a diagnosis, it is necessary to measure the temperature and perform a physical examination, inspecting the throat, nose, ears, and auscultation of the heart and lungs. Subsequently, a blood and urine test can be performed with the indicated values in order to study the type of infection. A stool analysis may also be considered if there is intestinal discomfort. In addition, to rule out a possible infectious disease of the lungs, the specialist may perform a chest X-ray. If after these tests the epicenter of the infection has not been found, other diagnostic tests such as immunological tests, more specific X-rays or ultrasound scans may be performed.
What are the causes of febrile syndrome?
The main cause of elevated body temperature is infectious diseases, although there are other causes such as muscle activity, increased thyroid hormone, peripheral vasoconstriction and increased food intake among others. Other causes associated with infectious diseases can be:
- Colds
- Influenza
- Pneumonia
- Tonsillitis
- Appendicitis
Can it be prevented?
Febrile syndrome cannot be prevented, but the infectious diseases that cause it can be prevented. Some of them can be prevented by vaccination, especially in children, such as measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, etc. In addition, in adults they can be prevented by following good hygiene, washing hands frequently and avoiding, as far as possible, contact with people suffering from these pathologies.
Treatments for febrile syndrome
The main treatment is aimed at locating the infection and eliminating it at its root. It is important to consult a specialist when this happens, as he/she will be able to prescribe the necessary antibiotics for the type of infection. Treatment is based on taking antipyretics to calm the fever and reduce the symptoms. If the febrile symptom develops in children, it is necessary to administer the appropriate amount of treatment, for this the specialist has to take into account their age, weight and height.
Which specialist treats it?
If the febrile syndrome occurs in children, the specialist who will treat it will be a pediatrician. If, on the other hand, this syndrome appears in adults, the patient will have to consult a specialist in Family Medicine.