This is an automatically translated article.
Prolonged fever of unknown cause in adults is a sign of a health problem in the body. The older you get, the more your health declines, and the risk of chronic diseases, when attacked by external bacteria, will lead to fever. When the body temperature rises too high, the elderly can have complications if they do not promptly reduce the fever. Therefore, when seeing signs of prolonged fever, it is necessary to take the patient to medical facilities for timely treatment, to avoid leading to dangerous complications.
1. Common causes of persistent fever in adults
In adults, elderly people, fever above 38 degrees Celsius, fever lasting 1-3 weeks is called persistent fever.
Persistent fever is a common symptom in adults and the elderly. Fever is not obvious. There are many causes of fever, but according to statistics, about 10% of elderly people have a long-lasting fever with no known cause. The explanation for this case is that as we age, the body temperature regulation mechanism becomes less and less, the immune system is also impaired, so it is easier to react when there is an invasion of bacteria and viruses outside. outside, even when the weather changes.
Prolonged fever due to infectious disease, infection. When the body is attacked by viruses and bacteria from outside, it will cause diseases such as bronchitis, pneumonia, hepatobiliary abscess, urinary tract infection, ... in which bronchitis is one of the main causes of persistent fever in the elderly.
In addition, due to rheumatic diseases, lupus erythematosus, ... Having malignancies such as liver cancer, stomach cancer, pancreas, lung, ... also causes prolonged fever symptoms
Having a cold due to the common seasonal change can also cause a prolonged fever because the patient is subjective, not paying attention to the initial mild symptoms (such as sneezing, low-grade fever, ...) along with the patient's health. Weak resistance makes the disease worse.
Một số bệnh lý có thể gây ra triệu chứng sốt kéo dài
2. Manifestations and complications associated with prolonged fever in the elderly
Elderly people with mild fever will have the following symptoms:
Body fatigue Headache, dizziness Cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness Fast, strong heartbeat. In the elderly, when a sudden fever also affects the cardiovascular system, it can cause cardiac arrhythmias, myocardial ischemia,... Effects on the digestive system: Gastrointestinal disorders, anorexia, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting,... Less urine, dark color, difficulty urinating,... If the fever lasts for a long time, it will lead to confusion, delirium, and urinary incontinence. If there is already a disease in the person, it will make the disease worse, the treatment time will be longer, it can be life-threatening if not treated promptly, especially the elderly are having heart disease, blood pressure, etc. diabetes ,...
3. Treatment of prolonged fever in adults, the elderly
Fever can be mild when the body temperature is between 37.6 degrees Celsius and 37.9 degrees Celsius. Moderate fever is when the body temperature is between 38 and 38.9 degrees Celsius and a high fever is between 39 degrees Celsius.
When the body temperature is high. At low fever, should not be subjective, need to lower body temperature immediately to avoid high fever, causing other complications. Cool the body by using a towel dipped in cold water, wringing it dry, applying it to the forehead, armpits, groin,... these are the positions that help cool down quickly, thereby helping to reduce fever. Occasionally wipe the back area. Wash towels in cold water often after applying
Should check body temperature after 30 minutes. Wear cool clothes, do not wear warm clothes that will increase body temperature. It is possible to give paracetamol 0.5g orally or effervescent tablets or anal tablets to reduce fever for the elderly.
During care, should give the patient liquid food such as porridge, soup for easy digestion. Add a lot of water and vitamins such as orange and lemon juice, apply a towel, take fever-reducing medicine... However, this is only a temporary way to reduce fever. After the body temperature has dropped, it is necessary to take the patient to a medical facility to be examined and tested to find out the cause of a persistent high fever in adults, making treatment easier.
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