Treating Fever in Covid-19

Fever in Covid-19 is one of the commonest symptoms associated with the disease. Another way of describing a high body temperature is using the word ‘Fever’.

Fevers are most commonly a result of an infection in the body though there are other conditions that could increase the body’s temperature.

The normal body temperature ranges amongst people from about 36.6 deg (97.88F) to 37.2 deg C (98.96F).

When the temperature rises above 37.2 deg, we say they have a fever.

Mild fevers, also known as low-grade fever are classed from 37.2 deg C (98.96F) to 37.9 deg C (100.22F).

Significant temperature is usually considered by medical doctors to be one of 38 deg C (100.4F) and above.

Commonly, the fever associated with Covid-19 infection is one with a temperature above 37.8 deg.

You can tell you have a fever if your back or chest feels very hot to the touch using the back of your hand.

Many people with Covid-19 have reported also experiencing chills and intense shaking of the body.

Fever Can be Beneficial

Some of the benefits of fever are :

• It is thought that a fever serves as one of the body’s natural infection-fighting defences against germs which cannot live at higher temperatures.
• Some of the body’s defence mechanisms appear to work better at a high temperature.

A chill is a feeling of being cold, usually accompanied by shivering.

Chills tend to happen quite often when a person has a very high fever.

Many people with Covid-19 experience a range of temperature levels – some with or without chills.

Other Symptoms that Happen with most Fevers.

People have experienced other symptoms which usually occur alongside a fever with or without chills:

• Aching muscles and joints or other body aches
• Headache
• Intermittent sweats or excessive sweating
• Rapid heart rate and/or palpitations
• Skin flushing or hot skin
• Feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheaded
• Eye pain or sore eyes
• Weakness
• Loss of appetite

Fever in Covid-19 could occur early in the illness or after a few days.

Treating Fever in Covid-19

The recommended remedy for fever medicine in Covid-19 is:

• Dress in very light clothing
• Take antipyretic medicines such as Paracetamol, Acetaminophen, or Tylenol.
• Reports have emerged regarding the use of Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs like Ibuprofen (Advil) or Neurofen in people with Covid-19.
  • The reports suggested some adverse effects experienced by users although it is not clear that Ibuprofen is directly responsible.
  • The WHO has stated there are it does not recommend stopping Ibuprofen since there are no verified data on any new adverse effects from Ibuprofen in people with Covid-19, but most health authorities, with an abundance of caution advise against using Neurofen if you have Covid-19.
  • If you have allergies to, or cannot take paracetamol, speak directly with your doctor to consider alternatives that would be more suitable for you.
• Most times, the fever will settle for a few hours but it may come back – particularly early or during the mid-phase of the disease.
• Paracetamol may also help with the other feelings of ill health already listed.
• Another very important treatment is taking plenty of water.
  • During a fever, excessive sweating happens so the body loses necessary fluid.
  • Drinking plenty of water, in particular, will help to replace the fluid loss from the body – and also improve one’s feeling of ill health.

If you have any questions on how to manage your fever or associated symptoms – ask here.

Learn more about Covid-19 here. Learn about other symptoms of Covid-19 here.

If you are pregnant and worried about Covid-19, read here. You may also find our analysis on Paracetamol Safety in Pregnancy useful.

Read about fever in children here.

More Reading Topics

• Are You (Or Your Baby) Safe Taking Paracetamol During Pregnancy?
• Treatment of Childhood Fever
• Yellow Fever Vaccination – Recent Developments
• Causes Of Internal Body Heat And How To Overcome Them
• Haemoglobin C Disease: Which is worse – SC or SS genotype?

Edited by AskAwayHealth Team

Disclaimer

All AskAwayHealth articles are written by practising  Medical Practitioners on a wide range of health care conditions to provide evidence-based guidance and to help promote quality health care. The advice in our material is not meant to replace the management of your specific condition by a qualified health care practitioner.
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