Dr.sanaz bellucci
May 16, 2024
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What Is The Difference Between Intermittent, Remittent, And Relapsing Fever?
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Are you tired of fever symptoms that come and go, leaving you feeling frustrated and unsure about what is causing them? This article will explore the differences between intermittent, remittent, and relapsing fever, so you can better understand the underlying causes and receive appropriate treatment.
Join us as we dive deeper into these three types of fever, exploring their reasons, symptoms, and treatments, so you can better understand and manage your fever symptoms. By the end of this article, you will be able to identify the potential sources of your fever and take the appropriate action to improve your health.
stages of fever
There are three stages of fever:
- The hypothermic stage occurs when the body’s temperature drops below average (95-96 degrees Fahrenheit). Symptoms include chills, shivers, and a feeling of being very cold.
- The pyretic stage occurs when the body’s temperature rises above ordinary (above 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Symptoms include sweating, feeling flushed, and having a fever.
- The hyperpyretic stage occurs when the body’s temperature rises to a dangerous level (higher than 104-105 degrees Fahrenheit) and can cause damage to tissues. Symptoms include severe seizures, coma, and even death. This step is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention.
It is essential to monitor the fever and seek medical attention if it continues for over a few days or if the body’s temperature rises to a dangerously high level.
Related: “What Is The Easiest Way To Treat A Fever?“
- How do I know if my fever is viral or bacterial?
There is no definitive way to determine whether a viral or bacterial infection causes a fever; however, some common signs and symptoms can help distinguish between the two.
- Viral fevers can result from viral infection. Viral fevers generally come on suddenly and are associated with other viral symptoms, such as cough, runny nose, sore throat, and muscle aches. They are also short-lived and usually last 3-7 days.
- Bacterial fevers can result from bacterial infection spread through the blood or body fluids. Other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain often accompany them. They can also result in more severe complications, such as pneumonia or meningitis.
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It is essential to consult a healthcare provider if you experience a fever lasting more than three days or if hard symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, or persistent vomiting, accompany it. They can help define the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment.
Related: “What Are The Symptoms Of Pulmonary Embolism?“
What is the difference between intermittent, remittent, and relapsing fever?
Intermittent fever
Intermittent fever is a type of fever that follows a cyclical pattern, with high temperatures alternating with symptom-free intervals. These cycles can last from minutes to months or even years. This type of fever often accompanies other symptoms, such as headaches, body aches, and fatigue.
Related: “Top 10 Causes Of Joint Pain In Adults“
Intermittent fever can be caused by a variety of infectious diseases, including:
- Malaria is the most common cause of intermittent fever, caused by protozoa of the Plasmodium genus. Malaria may spread by the bite of infected mosquitos and may cause symptoms such as fever, chills, sweating, headaches, and anemia.
- Toxoplasmosis: another common cause of intermittent fever is Toxoplasmosis. This disease is caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii, commonly spread through contact with infected cat feces. It can cause symptoms such as fever, lymphadenopathy, and headaches.
- Rheumatic fever: Rheumatic fever, another type of intermittent fever, is caused by a Streptococcus infection that can affect the joints, skin, and heart. It can cause symptoms such as painful joints, fever, and carditis (heart inflammation).
- Tuberculosis: This disease is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It can cause symptoms such as intermittent fever, weight loss, and night sweats.
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever: This disease is caused by a bacterium called Rickettsia rickettsii and is spread through the bite of infected ticks. It can cause symptoms such as intermittent fever, lymphadenopathy, and skin rash.
Related: “Skin Blemishes To Worry About“
It is important to note that intermittent fever can also be caused by non-infectious conditions such as autoimmune disorders and leukemia.
Related: “How Can I Raise Iron Levels Fast?“
Remittent fever
Remittent, cyclical, or periodic is characterized by recurring fever episodes that last for a few days and are followed by symptom-free intervals that can last for days, weeks, or months. These fever episodes appear regularly and can be predictable, making managing the symptoms more manageable.
Remittent fever is caused by a variety of infectious and non-infectious conditions, including:
- Brucellosis: This disease is caused by a bacterium called Brucella and is spread through contact with infected animals or using contaminated animal products. It can cause symptoms such as remittent fever, headache, and fatigue.
- Typhoid fever: This disease is caused by a bacterium called Salmonella typhi and is spread by consuming contaminated food or water. It can cause symptoms such as remittent fever, headache, and abdominal pain.
- Q fever: This disease is caused by a bacterium called Coxiella burnetii and is spread through contact with infected animals or contaminated soil. It can cause symptoms such as remittent fever, chills, and fatigue.
- Typhus: This disease is caused by a bacterium called Rickettsia prowazekii and is spread through the bite of infected lice or mites. It can cause symptoms such as remittent fever, headache, and rash.
- Syphilis is caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum and is spread by sexual contact or maternal-fetal transmission. It can cause symptoms such as remittent fever, rash, and genital sores.
It is important to note that remittent fever can also be caused by non-infectious conditions such as autoimmune disorders and leukemia.
Related: “How To Avoid Ectopic Pregnancy Naturally?“
Relapsing fever
Relapsing fever is another type that follows a similar pattern to remittent fever, with recurring fever episodes lasting from hours to months. However, the intervals between episodes are typically shorter, and the duration of each episode may be longer. Bacteria often cause this type of fever, and may be severe if not treated promptly.
Relapsing fever is caused by a variety of bacterial infections, including:
- Tularaemia: This disease is caused by a bacterium called Francisella tularensis and is spread through contact with infected animals or contaminated soil. It can cause symptoms such as relapsing fever, chills, and ulcerated sores.
- Relapsing fever (Borrelia recurrentis): This disease is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia recurrentis and is spread through the bites of infected lice or ticks. It can cause symptoms such as relapsing fever, headache, and rash.
- Relapsing fever (Borrelia hermsii): This disease is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia hermsii and is spread through the bites of infected ticks. It can cause symptoms such as relapsing fever, headache, and rash.
- Relapsing fever (Borrelia button): This disease is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia button and is spread through the bites of infected ticks. It can cause symptoms such as relapsing fever, headache, and rash.
- Relapsing fever (Borrelia pseudotuberculosis): This disease is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia pseudotuberculosis and is spread through consuming contaminated dairy products. It can cause symptoms such as relapsing fever, headache, and joint pain.
It is important to note that relapsing fever can also be caused by non-infectious conditions such as autoimmune disorders and leukemia.
Related: “How Adaptive Immune System Works?“
All three fever types can be very distressing and affect the quality of life, so it is essential to seek medical treatment if you are experiencing persistent or recurrent fever. A healthcare provider may help determine the underlying cause and provide appropriate medication and support.
It is worth noting that many other diseases can cause fever, and the type of fever may vary depending on the underlying cause.
How long does it take to recover from a fever fully?
The duration of fever recovery can vary depending on the underlying cause, the severity of the illness, and the individual’s response to treatment. In general, symptoms associated with fever can last from 2 to 7 days, although it can take longer in some cases.
Some possible scenarios include:
- Viral fever: Viral illnesses such as the common cold or influenza can cause fever that lasts several days to a week. Symptoms usually resolve on their own without the need for medication.
- Bacterial infection: Bacterial infections such as strep throat, Bronchitis, pneumonia, or urinary tract infections can cause fever that lasts several days to a couple of weeks. Antibiotics can be prescribed to remedy the infection, which can help reduce the duration of the fever.
- Autoimmune disorder: Autoimmune disorders such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis can cause fever that can come and go for months or years, with symptoms varying in severity. Treatment may involve medication, physical therapy, or lifestyle changes.
- Malaria: Fever associated with malaria can last for several days up to a couple of weeks, depending on the stage of the infection. Antimalarial medication is used to treat the infection and reduce the duration of the fever.
Related: “How Do You Slow Down Arthritis?“
Conclusion
In conclusion, intermittent fever, remittent fever, and relapsing fever are all types of fever that can occur with recurring episodes. However, each type’s underlying causes, symptoms, and management strategies can vary widely.
It is essential to seek medical attention if you are experiencing recurring fever symptoms, as a healthcare provider may help define the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment. By understanding the differences between different types of fever, you can better advocate for your health and receive the best possible care.
Dr.sanaz bellucci
I am Sanaz Bellucci , a dentist. In this electronic magazine, I publish my collection of research and studies on various topics related to health and beauty that you may face with it.
You can also share your questions of interest with me so that I can give them complete and comprehensive answers. stay with me.
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Dr.sanaz bellucci
May 18, 2024
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2 Responses
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
This article teaches you well that you can easily recognize whether you have a fever or not and know its origin.
I suggest reading the article “What Is The Easiest Way To Treat A Fever?”.