Do viruses cause fever?
My son has been having a high fever for two days, and the doctor said it's a viral infection. I always thought bacteria caused fever, so I'm wondering, do viruses cause fever as well?
My son has been having a high fever for two days, and the doctor said it's a viral infection. I always thought bacteria caused fever, so I'm wondering, do viruses cause fever as well?
Yes, viral infections are one of the most common causes of fever as your body fights the infection.
Fever is basically your body's internal microwave trying to bake the virus to death. It's annoying but it means your immune system is working hard!
My doctor explained that when a virus enters, your immune cells release chemicals called pyrogens, which tell your brain to raise the body temperature to stop the virus from multiplying. So fever is actually a defense mechanism.
Don't try to guess if it's viral or bacterial on Google, and definitely don't self-medicate with leftover antibiotics. Get a proper blood test and consult a qualified doctor to find the real cause.
Yes, they do. If you have a high fever with chills or body ache, don't ignore it or keep working; take a sick day, rest up, and see a doctor if it doesn't settle in 2-3 days.
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