Sonia Verma Sonia Verma Asked 5 months ago

What is metal fever?

My husband works in a factory and recently started experiencing fever and chills after exposure to some metal fumes. Someone mentioned 'metal fever'. What is this condition, and is it dangerous?

10

10 answers

Nisha Paul Nisha Paul Joined Mar 2026 5 months ago
Most liked

I have never heard of this before, it sounds quite concerning. Is it something that people only get from working in factories, or can you get it at home too during basic welding or DIY work?

Pooja Kulkarni Pooja Kulkarni Joined Mar 2026 5 months ago

Haan na, yeh actually metal fume fever hota hai, jo toxic fumes inhale karne se hota hai. Welders ko yeh problem aksar hoti hai, ho na. Isliye mask pehanna bohot zaroori hai kaam karte waqt.

Nidhi Shah Nidhi Shah Joined Feb 2026 5 months ago

It is an illness caused by breathing in industrial metal fumes. Since it's a toxic exposure, focus on drinking plenty of water and eating antioxidant-rich foods like fresh citrus fruits to help flush out toxins, though stopping the exposure is the primary step.

Aman Preet Aman Preet Joined Feb 2026 5 months ago

I got this last month while helping with some heavy copper welding without a proper respirator. I had shivering, high fever, and a metallic taste in my mouth. It went away in 48 hours after resting and drinking lots of fluids, but it was very scary.

Anjali Sharma Anjali Sharma Joined Feb 2026 5 months ago

Oh god, inhaling toxic fumes and getting fever sounds so terrifying! Please don't ignore it if you have chest tightness or trouble breathing, as that can be dangerous. Make sure to visit a hospital emergency room right away if you feel worse.

Harish Patel Harish Patel Joined Mar 2026 5 months ago

This is an occupational hazard from inhaling metal dust or fumes. If you have diabetes, any acute fever or physical stress can cause your blood sugar levels to fluctuate rapidly. Please monitor your glucose levels closely if you feel sick.

Powered by

Consult a internal medicine specialist

Sandeep Mehta Sandeep Mehta Joined Jan 2026 5 months ago

According to occupational health guidelines, metal fume fever is an acute, self-limiting inhalation reaction. Symptoms like chills, cough, and fatigue peak around 12 to 18 hours after exposure. My colleague who is an industrial doctor always emphasizes using high-quality N95 or particulate respirators.

Jeena Thomas Jeena Thomas Joined May 2026 5 months ago

We clinically call it metal fume fever. It happens when you inhale freshly formed oxides of metals like zinc, iron, or copper. It mimics flu symptoms and usually clears up in 24 to 48 hours with basic rest and paracetamol.

Kriti Saxena Kriti Saxena Joined Mar 2026 5 months ago

I totally get it, experiencing sudden flu-like symptoms after working with metals can make you super anxious. It is usually just your body reacting to the fumes. Just rest up, keep yourself hydrated, and you will feel much better soon.

Divya Nair Divya Nair Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

From what I understand, it is a temporary condition triggered by breathing in zinc or copper fumes. It usually resolves on its own, but since our immune systems can react differently, it's best to consult a doctor if the fever stays high.

Evidence-based health, reviewed by clinicians. Free, weekly.