What causes a constant low-grade fever? From COVID to pneumonia, this article explores 8 common causes behind your persistent low-grade fever.

Exploring the Causes of Persistent Low Grade Fever

A lasting low-grade fever can be a sign that something is not right with your body. When you have an actual fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, it usually indicates an infection is present. However, a low-grade fever, which is a temperature above the normal 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit but still lower than 100.4 degrees, can have various underlying causes.

Is a Low-Grade Fever Serious?

Doctors generally do not consider a low-grade fever to be a serious concern, as it can be a sign that the immune system is working to fight off an infection. However, a persistent low-grade fever becomes more concerning in individuals with compromised immune systems, the elderly, and infants under three months of age. In these cases, it is recommended to have the fever evaluated by a medical professional.

Potential Causes of Persistent Low-Grade Fever

A low-grade fever is often related to an immune system dysfunction or a chronic health condition that triggers the immune system to fight, even when there is no active infection. Some of the common conditions that can cause a persistent low-grade fever include:

1. Corticosteroid Use

Corticosteroids, such as Prednisone or Solu-Medrol, can depress the adrenal glands and reduce certain hormones that help the body fight illness. While they work to reduce inflammation, they can also weaken the immune system, making it more difficult to fight off infections.

2. Chemotherapy

Cancer treatments like chemotherapy can weaken the immune system and lower the body’s resistance to infection, leading to a persistent low-grade fever.

3. Thyroid Disease

Conditions like Graves’ disease or hyperthyroidism, which affect the thyroid’s regulation of body temperature and metabolism, can result in a higher than normal body temperature and a persistent low-grade fever.

4. Immunosuppressive Drugs

Individuals who have undergone organ transplants or require medications to suppress their immune system may experience a persistent low-grade fever, as the body’s defenses can be easily triggered by even the smallest things.

5. Autoimmune and Inflammatory Conditions

Disorders that affect the immune system, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and juvenile arthritis, can cause the body to raise its defenses and fight off its own tissue, leading to a persistent low-grade fever.

Potential Treatment Options for Persistent Low-Grade Fever

While there are some home remedies that can be used to manage a low-grade fever, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional, especially if you have an underlying condition or are taking immunosuppressant medications.

Herbal Remedies

Feverfew, an herbal remedy, may be helpful for reducing inflammation, pain, and fever, as well as addressing other issues like migraines and stomach upsets. However, it is important to check with your doctor before using any herbal therapies, particularly if you have an autoimmune disorder or are taking immunosuppressant medications.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Over-the-counter pain relievers and fever reducers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can be used to help manage a low-grade fever. However, it is important to follow the dosage instructions and consult with a healthcare professional if the fever persists or worsens.

Medical Evaluation

If a low-grade fever lasts for more than a few weeks or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it is important to seek medical evaluation. A healthcare professional can help identify the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment.

Conclusion

Persistent low-grade fever can have a variety of underlying causes, ranging from immune system dysfunction to chronic health conditions. While a low-grade fever may not always be a serious concern, it is important to monitor it and seek medical attention if it persists or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms. By understanding the potential causes and seeking appropriate treatment, individuals can address the underlying issue and regain their health.

Persistent Low Grade Fever: Causes and Remedies

December 13, 2022December 13, 2022

A lasting low grade fever can signal you that something isn’t right with your body. When you are running a fever due to illness, your temperature is usually elevated over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Low-grade fevers are usually a temp above the normal 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, but still lower than 100.4 degrees.

When you have an actual fever over 100.4 degrees, you most likely have an infection going on inside your body. A low-grade fever might be caused by allergies, autoimmune conditions, immunization, or some type of inflammation in your body. Some medications can also cause a low-grade fever. This article will help calm your nerves and understand when it is time to have things checked out.

Is It Serious?

A fever isn’t serious until the body temperature goes beyond 106 degrees. This is true hyperthermia and a medical emergency. Doctors really don’t worry about low-grade fever. In some illnesses, it may actually be something positive. This is because fever can be a good thing as fever is a sign that the immune system is working to battle an invader and taking care of things naturally.

Persistent low grade fever becomes a concern in people with compromised immune systems, elderly people, and small babies less than three months of age. Any fever in these groups should be evaluated by a doctor.

Many doctors will reassure you not to worry and only advise treating a fever if it goes above 102 degrees. For infants and small children, the doctor usually likes you to contact them for advice if the rectal temperature goes above 100.4 degrees.

What Could It Be?

A low-grade fever is most often related to an immune system dysfunction. There are some chronic health conditions that constantly trigger the immune system to fight, even when there is no infection present. It could also be a sign of a weakened immune system that may or may not have a hard time fighting off an actual infection. Most often autoimmune type disorders can cause low-grade fever such as Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis in children, and other collagen disorders.

Here are a few of the conditions that can alter the way your immune system works causing a low-grade fever:

1. Corticosteroid Use (Prednisone, Solu-Medrol, etc.)

If you use corticosteroids for an illness, they can depress the adrenal glands and reduce certain hormones that help you fight illness. They work to reduce inflammation in the body, but also reduce the infection fighting properties of your immune system. If you do get an infection during steroid use, you may not be able to fight it off. Your doctor may advise you to avoid people who are sick while you are taking them.

2. Chemotherapy

Treatments for cancer like chemotherapy weaken the immune system and lower the body’s resistance to infection. It can also reduce the ability to fight off infections. While you are on chemo, you may experience a persistent low grade fever.

3. Thyroid Disease

The thyroid regulates body temperature, along with metabolism. People who have Grave’s disease or hyperthyroidism may have a higher than normal body temperature due to increased metabolism. They may also have a hard time telling the difference between illness and Grave’s disease. People with thyroid disease may also have weak immune systems if the disease is autoimmune in nature.

4. Immunosuppressive Drugs

If you have had an organ transplant from a donor, or you need to suppress your immune system with medications for any reason, you may run a low-grade fever. This is because even the smallest things may cause your immune system to try and “kick in”. You are also at risk for getting infections easier than other people and may not be able to run a full fever when you’re sick. A low-grade fever on immunosuppressant medications may warrant a visit to your doctor as soon as possible.

5. Autoimmune and Inflammatory Conditions

Disorders that affect the immune system can cause persistent low grade fever. Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions trigger the body to raise its defenses and fight off its own tissue as if there were an infection present, when there isn’t one. A low-grade fever with aches that lasts more than a few weeks or even months needs to be evaluated.

What Are the Possible Treatment Options?

There are options to treat a low-grade fever at home. Always check with your doctor before starting any herbal therapy, especially if you have an autoimmune disorder or are taking immunosuppressants. These remedies are generally safe for healthy people:

1. Feverfew

Feverfew is a common herbal remedy to help with inflammatory conditions, pain, fevers, and migraine headaches. It may also be helpful for stomach upsets, kidney issues, and menstrual dysfunction. Recommended dosage is 100 to 300 mg three times daily. Side effects are minimal but should be used with caution in people who take blood thinning medications.

2. Echinacea

If you run low-grade fevers due to a low level of infection in your body, Echinacea may help give your immune system a boost to fight it off completely. It has long been used by Native Americans and other tribal cultures for healing from infection. Recommended dosage is 300 mg three times a day. Side effects include allergies (if you’re allergic to Ragweed), rash, and adverse effects if you have autoimmune disease.

3. Rest

If you find you have persistent low grade fever and you have a known disorder that causes it, you may just need to allow your body more rest. Low-grade fevers can be a sign of a flare of your condition and this can be triggered by stress on your body.

4. Extra Fluids

One early sign of dehydration is low-grade fever. If you are out in the heat and not drinking enough fluids, there isn’t enough inside your body to keep you cool. At the first sign of a low-grade fever, start drinking extra fluids.

5. Ginger Root

Ginger root has natural properties that help fight against bacteria and other infections. Start taking ginger at the first sign of fever, coughing, stomach ailments to help your body fight off what is going on. You can sip on ginger ale made with real ginger, use ginger tea or just chew on some fresh ginger root.

Causes and treatment of a persistent low grade fever – Sikalias Pharmacy | Φαρμακείο Σικαλιάς

Δημοσιεύθηκε από:
Aggeliki Giannopoulou

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Cold-Flu

On:

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27,
2019

Causes and treatment of a persistent low grade fever

The normal human body temperature is about 98.6°F, but it fluctuates throughout the day. A fever is when the temperature rises above a normal range.

A low grade fever occurs when the body temperature becomes very slightly elevated, usually between about 100. 5°F and 102.2°F. The fever is persistent when the body temperature stays in this range for more than 2 weeks.

A fever is commonly a result of the body trying to fight off an infection or another illness. However, some cases are more difficult to diagnose and treat.

Continue reading to learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of a persistent low grade fever.

Symptoms

If the body is fighting off an infection, a person may experience a persistent low grade fever.

Some people may hardly notice that they have a low grade fever. However, others may experience various symptoms, including:

feeling warm to the touch

sweating

chills

shivering

headaches

muscle aches

dehydration

a general feeling of being unwell

Causes

A persistent low grade fever is typically a sign that the body is fighting off an infection or another health issue and has raised its temperature to help these efforts.

These underlying issues can include:

Respiratory infections

Respiratory infections can cause a persistent low grade fever. Some of the most common respiratory infections, such as a cold or the flu, may cause a low grade fever that lasts for as long as the body takes to fight off the infection.

Other symptoms that may indicate a respiratory infection include:

coughing

sneezing

a stuffy or runny nose

a sore throat

chills

general fatigue

lack of appetite

Many simple respiratory infections do not require treatment, and the symptoms will go away in time.

Urinary tract infections

A urinary tract infection (UTI) may also be the underlying cause of a low grade fever. A UTI is a bacterial infection that occurs when bacteria multiply anywhere in the urinary tract, which includes the bladder, urethra, kidneys, and ureters.

In addition to a low grade fever, the person may experience symptoms such as:

pain in the abdomen

a burning sensation while peeing

frequent urination

a constant urge to urinate

dark urine

Most UTIs are simple to treat with antibiotics. The doctor may analyze a urine sample to determine the precise type of bacteria causing the infection to ensure that they prescribe the right treatment.

Other infections

A person should talk to their doctor if they experience any symptoms of infection alongside a fever.

Almost any infection can cause a fever. A fever is one of the body’s natural responses to foreign invaders. The body may keep its core temperature elevated while it is fighting off the infection.

Other sources of infections that may cause a low grade fever include:

food poisoning

exposure to pathogens from livestock

tuberculosis

meningitis

Anyone experiencing symptoms of infection alongside a fever should see a doctor if the symptoms do not improve with rest and time.

Medications

Some medications can cause many different side effects, which may include a low grade fever. People can check the information on side effects and interactions that comes in the packaging or seek advice from a pharmacist.

As the author of a 2018 review notes, if the medication is the cause, the fever should go away very quickly — typically within 72 hours — once the person stops taking the drug.

Stress

Chronic stress may cause a low grade fever. A research paper from 2015Trusted Source notes that a fever due to stress is most common in young women.

Reducing stress levels may resolve the fever in these cases.

Cancer

In rare cases, a persistent low grade fever with no known cause may be a sign of cancer.

A persistent fever can be a symptom of leukemia, Hodgkin disease, or non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The person may also experience other symptoms of cancer, including:

persistent fatigue

weakness

headaches

infections

lack of appetite

excessive bruising or bleeding

unexplained weight loss

enlarged lymph nodes

excessive sweating at night

Many of these symptoms are not unique to cancer, however.

Anyone who experiences these symptoms along with a low grade fever should see a doctor for a diagnosis.

Chronic disorders

Many other chronic disorders may cause symptoms such as a low grade fever, including:

thromboembolic disease

arthritis

lupus

gout

thyroiditis

serum sickness-like reactions

serotonin syndrome

neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Diagnosis

Diagnosing a persistent low grade fever may involve several different tests to eliminate potential causes.

The doctor will generally carry out a physical examination and question the person regarding additional symptoms and whether they have any chronic conditions.

The doctor may also ask about any medications that the person takes so that they can eliminate them as a cause of the fever.

They may order blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC), to get an overview of the person’s health. The results may help them decide which other tests, if any, they need to order.

If the doctor suspects that the person has a UTI, they may ask them for a sample of their urine to test.  

Treatments

OTC drugs may help treat a low grade fever at home.

Treatment for a persistent low grade fever will depend on the cause. For instance, minor infections may not need treatment at all, whereas issues such as cancer require extensive treatment. 

To alleviate the symptoms of a low grade fever at home, a person can try over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).

A fever can cause dehydration, so it is vital to drink plenty of water. 

It is important to treat a low grade fever in children, who may be more sensitive to temperature changes. Using children’s versions of OTC drugs may help control the fever while waiting to see a doctor.

Outlook

A persistent low grade fever is a sign of an underlying issue, such as a mild infection or chronic condition. The fever may persist while the person is fighting off the infection.

For the most part, persistent low grade fevers are not a cause for concern. However, it is important to monitor the fever to see whether it gets worse.

Anyone who is concerned about their symptoms or experiences a persistent low grade fever for more than 10 days should see a doctor.

Source:https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/

Prolonged subfebrile temperature causes

Symptoms: prolonged fever, temperature 37, progressive increase in body temperature, rapid heartbeat, clouding, loss of consciousness, nausea, weakness, convulsions, heaviness in the head, headache, feeling hot, feeling cold , chills, excruciating thirst, increased nervous irritability, irritability, neurosis, hallucinations, pale skin, redness of the skin, insomnia, shortness of breath, increased sweating, chest pain, abdominal pain .

Subfebrile temperature is an elevated body temperature that persists for a long period of time. In diseases of the autonomic nervous system, this temperature can last for months and years, and the amplitude of its fluctuations usually does not exceed 37 – 37. 8 degrees.

As a rule, an elevated body temperature reflects some kind of inflammatory process inside the body, caused by infections, parasites, allergens, or even oncology. The cause of subfebrile temperature in adults is often sought in diseases of the thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), in children – in inflammation of the tonsils. However, it also happens that numerous clinical studies do not reveal any pathologies, and the removal of the tonsils does not lead to normalization of body temperature. Then it makes sense to talk about problems in the work of the autonomic nervous system.

This symptom is very common in our practice. It is associated with dysfunction of thermoregulation, one of the main functions of the autonomic nervous system. Actually, it is thanks to this function of this part of the nervous system that we have the opportunity to observe on the thermogram (thermal imaging study) disturbances in one or another vegetative node.

Subfebrile temperature may be accompanied by general malaise, undulating manifestations of excessive sweating, feelings of heat or cold, chills and other symptoms that usually accompany elevated body temperature or a general disorder of the autonomic nervous system (headache, heart palpitations, etc. ).

Case studies

Woman, 21 years old, student.

In December 2013, a young woman came to the clinic. For the last few months, the body temperature has been constantly kept at 37.2-37.5. The physique is asthenic, the skin is pale, while increased sweating, from time to time threw into the heat. At times, increased irritability and anxiety joined the symptoms. I had a headache several times a week. Often experienced general weakness, melancholy, dizziness.

First, the patient went to a general practitioner, who prescribed a series of examinations: general and biochemical analysis of urine and blood, X-ray of the lungs, ultrasound of internal organs, etc. The reasons for the elevated temperature could not be identified. The doctor said that this is primary hyperthermia against the background of vegetative dystonia, that this is normal and will pass with age. You need to gain some weight, walk more in the fresh air, relax, do physical exercises, you can drink vitamins.

In this state, studying and working became more and more problematic: “it was difficult to think”, I constantly wanted to drink and, as a result, go to the toilet, I often had to leave the room and go out into the fresh air. The girl’s parents were looking for options to alleviate such a diagnosis and came to our clinic.

Vegetative disorder arose against the background of a stressful lifestyle and mild traumatic brain injury at the age of 14 years.

After two courses of treatment, the girl recovered completely.

Female, 25 years old.

A young lady contacted us in 2015. Since February 2014, she began to experience panic attacks (vegetative crises).

About a year before the first attack of inexplicable fear, the girl underwent surgery under general anesthesia. Immediately after that, symptoms such as sleep disturbance and increased anxiety began to appear. In addition, with a strong psycho-emotional load (“worried”), the girl’s temperature increased to 37. 5 degrees and could last for several hours.

The general condition of the patient was characterized by constant anxiety and chills. The extremities were usually cold. Worried about heaviness in the neck.

She underwent one course of treatment at the Clinical Center for Autonomic Neurology. Already during treatment, panic attacks ceased to bother. Soon the patient noticed a steady improvement in her condition. A month after the course, she felt completely healthy.

Other symptoms of VSD

Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing

Strong palpitation, rapid pulse

Trembling in the body, shaking hands

Sweating, perspiration, profuse sweat

Pain in the stomach, burning in the abdomen

Heaviness in the head, headache

9000 2 Muscle tone, spasm of neck muscles

Urinary incontinence

Feeling of fear, anxiety

Discomfort in the intestines, diarrhea

Blurred vision

Presyncope

Sleep disorder, insomnia, drowsiness

Subfebrile temperature

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Weather sensitivity

Myths and truth about VSD

— Put yourself in the place of a doctor. The patient’s tests are fine. All kinds of examinations from ultrasound to MRI show the norm. And the patient comes to you every week and complains that he feels bad, has nothing to breathe, his heart is pounding, sweat is pouring down, that he constantly calls an ambulance, etc. You cannot call such a person healthy, but he does not have a specific disease. This is – VVD – a diagnosis for all occasions, as I call it …

Read the interview

IRR in faces

This page contains excerpts from the case histories of patients on the main complaints with which people turn to us for help. This is done with the aim of showing how different and “complex” the symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia can be. And how closely sometimes it is “soldered” with violations in the work of organs and systems. How it “masquerades” as “heart”, “lung”, “stomach”, “gynecological” and even “psychiatric” problems that people have to live with for years…

Learn more

Subfebrile condition causes, symptoms, treatment, diagnosis.

Subfebrile condition in children, women, men, pregnant women

Subfebrile condition – this medical term refers to a constantly elevated temperature (not more than 38 ° C) of the body for a long time – from several weeks to several years.

Subfebrile symptoms

The main symptom of subfebrile condition is, of course, an increase in body temperature from 37.1 ° C to 38 ° C. Along with fever, there are other symptoms. The person becomes lethargic, feels constant weakness, his appetite disappears. There may be indigestion, excessive sweating, redness of the skin, rapid pulse and breathing, nervousness, irritability, and insomnia.

Forms

Depending on changes in temperature indicators, subfebrile condition is classified as follows.

Intermittent fever – the temperature first drops slightly and then rises again, and this alternation lasts for several days.

• Remittent – during the day the temperature fluctuates by more than 1°C.
• Fluctuating fever – the patient has an alternation of normal temperature with a constant and remitting state.
• Constant fever – they talk about it when the temperature is constantly elevated, and practically does not change during the day.

There is also a fever of unknown origin (genesis), the causes of which doctors cannot find out. In this case, there is an increase in temperature up to 38 ° C for a period of three weeks or more for unknown reasons.

Fever of unknown origin (genesis) is divided into the following types:

• the so-called “classic” fever of unknown origin – it includes all cases of infectious diseases that are difficult to diagnose, absolutely unusual for the area in which the patient lives, or have atypical forms;
• a sharp decrease in the blood of special elements that are responsible for human immunity can also lead to a fever of unknown origin;
• hospital fever – it occurs in a patient after hospitalization during the day;
• cytomegalovirus infection, histoplasmosis, mycobacteriosis are classified as HIV-associated fever.

Causes

There are many reasons for the occurrence of subfebrile condition. First of all, these are, of course, infectious processes occurring in the human body. Any infection, whether viral, chlamydial, bacterial or intestinal, can cause low-grade fever. When a person is infected with intracellular or protozoan parasites, subfebrile temperature is also observed. A constantly elevated temperature is also characteristic of oncological diseases of various etiologies in men and women. Subfebrile condition may be caused by sarcoidosis. Chronic fatigue syndrome, which occurs due to constant stress, lack of sleep, overwork, is also among the causes of subfebrile condition. If we talk about newborns and infants, then due to imperfect heat transfer, any infection can give a persistent fever. In pregnant women, subfebrile condition proceeds without any special manifestations, but it is necessary to find out the cause of the temperature as soon as possible. Since many infectious diseases are fraught with serious consequences for the fetus and unborn child.

Diagnostics

Subfebrile condition does not occur from scratch, and is often a harbinger of a fairly serious illness. To find out the causes of a constantly elevated temperature, it is necessary to consult a doctor. Diagnosis of subfebrile condition begins with the collection of anamnesis and complaints about the state of health. The doctor will study the patient’s medical history, ask about previously transferred and current diseases. The presence of diseases such as tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus, HIV, various types of blood and liver diseases, as well as surgeries, are one of the reasons for the persistent rise in temperature. When diagnosing subfebrile condition, it is also necessary to identify the possibility of infection with bacterial endocarditis and hepatitis during medical procedures, visits to the dentist, blood transfusion, unprotected sex. An epidemiological survey is also being conducted – the doctor will ask questions about which countries the person has recently visited, whether he has traveled to areas that are characterized by certain infectious and parasitic diseases.

This is followed by a visual examination of the patient. The doctor examines the skin, mucous membranes, joints, lymph nodes, makes palpation of the abdominal cavity, mammary glands in women, auscultation of the chest cavity, examines the ENT organs, urogenital organs and the rectum. To find out all the causes of subfebrile condition, laboratory tests are prescribed, which include a general urine test, blood tests, serological and biochemical tests, sputum and cerebrospinal fluid tests.

Instrumental diagnostics is also mandatory: ultrasound, radiography, CT, echocardiography. Consultations of various specialists are appointed: a gynecologist (for women), a neurologist, an oncologist, a hematologist, an infectious disease specialist, a phthisiatrician – all patients, men, women, children, pregnant women with subfebrile condition, must be tested for tuberculosis.

Subfebrile condition treatment

Having found out the exact cause of subfebrile condition, a treatment plan is drawn up, which depends on the underlying disease.