Whole-body fever after contracting COVID-19
Jan 16, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Jiang Weimin
Introduction
Infection with COVID-19 generally refers to infection with the novel coronavirus. Generalized fever is usually caused by inflammatory stimuli affecting the body. When the novel coronavirus in the body is not effectively controlled, ongoing inflammation can lead to recurrent fever in patients. For patients experiencing fever with a temperature <38.5°C, physical cooling methods can be used for treatment, which help dissipate heat.
Generally, a COVID-19 infection refers to infection with the novel coronavirus. Systemic fever is usually caused by inflammatory stimulation of the body. When the novel coronavirus in the body is not effectively controlled, ongoing inflammation can lead to recurrent fever in patients.
Most individuals infected with COVID-19 experience fever. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a viral pneumonia caused by infection with the novel coronavirus. When this virus enters the body—particularly when it affects the respiratory system—it can trigger a significant systemic inflammatory response syndrome, leading to fever of varying degrees.
For most COVID-19 patients, fever tends to be moderate to high-grade, although some individuals with milder infections may only develop low-grade fevers.
In addition, severe COVID-19 patients may experience recurrent or persistent fever due to complications such as sepsis or mixed pulmonary infections caused by bacteria or fungi. However, some asymptomatic carriers and individuals with mild infections may not develop fever at all, which requires careful attention and differential diagnosis.
For patients experiencing fever with body temperature <38.5°C, physical cooling methods can be used for treatment, such as applying wet towels or ice packs to the head and wiping the body with lukewarm water, which helps dissipate heat. If body temperature ≥38.5°C, antipyretic medications should be administered under medical guidance, such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules or acetaminophen tablets.
