Viral Fever Complete Guide: Causes, Symptoms, Home Remedies & Prevention Tips

A viral fever is generally caused by an airborne viral infection, although it can be caused by waterborne infections too. While you can take measures to prevent waterborne infections, there is little that you can do to prevent airborne viral infections as they spread through the very air we breathe.

A viral fever is rarely a cause for concern and in most cases, it clears without any medical intervention. However, it is not easy to differentiate between a bacterial infection and a viral fever as they share many of the same symptoms, which is why it is important to consult a doctor if your temperature reaches 102 degrees Fahrenheit or if it shows no signs of abatement after 48 hours.

Viral Fever Causes

A viral fever can be caused by any one (or more) of a number of viruses. The most common cause of viral fever is the common cold which is caused by a viral infection that affects the upper respiratory tract. The common cold is known as acute viral rhinopharyngitis and it is the most common infectious disease.
While it can leave a person weak and fatigued, the common cold rarely causes any further medical complications. There are over 200 different viruses that are associated with colds and very often, more than one virus is present. Some of the other common viral fever causes include sinus infections, viral gastroenteritis, mono (kissing disease), and seasonal influenza (the flu).

Symptoms of Viral Fever

A viral fever is characterized by a very high fever that is often remittent – where the fever abates for a little while and then shoots up once again. Some of the other common symptoms of viral fever include extreme fatigue, malaise, and muscle aches along with chills. OTC (over the counter) drugs provide little to no relief from viral fever symptoms. Some of the other symptoms of viral fever include:
* Severe joint pain
* Vomiting
* Nasal congestion
* Cough
* Headache
* Skin rashes
* Diarrhea
If you experience a high fever along with one or more of these symptoms, visit your doctor right away to determine if you have a viral fever.

Viral Fever Prevention

Anti-viral drugs cannot destroy the infectious viruses and all they can do is prevent their development; this is why, when it comes to viral fever, prevention is better than cure. The only way to prevent viral fever is to boost your immune system so that it can fight off any infectious viruses. This is why the best way to prevent viral fever is to follow a balanced diet, drink enough water, exercise daily, and get a good night’s sleep.
Your immune system is particularly susceptible to nutritional deficiencies – zinc and vitamin C play a very important role in preventing infections so make sure that your daily diet contains these nutrients. Make it a habit to drink a glass of water every hour, throughout your day.
In addition, it would be a good idea to get physically active. You don’t need to follow a high-intensity workout on a daily basis, instead just go for a 20 minute walk every morning – this will also ensure that you meet your requirement for vitamin D – the “sunshine vitamin” which will strengthen your immune system and prevent viral fever and viral infections. Inadequate sleep has also been linked to several health problems, including lower immunity levels, so sleep for 7-8 hours a day and follow a regular sleep schedule.

Diagnosis Of Viral Fevers

A viral fever is often indistinguishable from a bacterial infection, as many of the symptoms are common to both types of infection. Sometimes, the doctor will be able to make a diagnosis based on your symptoms alone, but if the infection is severe, he might ask for a blood test in order to make a definite diagnosis.
In cases where the doctor suspects a particular virus, such as in the case of malaria, dengue, or chikungunya, he will ask for a blood test before he puts you on a treatment course. Apart from a CBC (complete blood count) test, here are a few of the tests for viral fever that your doctor may recommend.

Viral Antigen Detection Test For Viral Fever

When a virus infects a cell, it causes viral antigens to develop on the surface of the infected cell. It is these antigens that cause your immune system to produce antibodies to fight off the viral infection. A viral antigen detection test is often suggested to determine the cause of a viral fever, as it is a low cost test that offers rapid and accurate results.

The Antibody Test For Viral Fever

Your body produces antibodies to fight off an infection. Each antibody is specific to a virus and so an antibody blood test will determine the type and quantity of antibodies in your blood. This test will therefore help to identify the specific virus that is causing your viral fever, so that your doctor can determine the best course of treatment.

Viral Culture Test For Viral Fever

A viral culture test is sometimes required if the viral fever lasts for over a week. A viral culture test takes a small sample of infected fluid (blood or urine) and allows it to remain in conditions that support the growth and development of the virus. The cellular changes that the virus causes can be seen using a microscope. The main drawback to this type of test is that it can take several days to get the results of the test.

How Long Does A Viral Fever Last

A viral fever generally lasts for 3-4 days although it can even last for 10 days or longer, especially in case of a severe infection. The intensity of the viral infection depends on the type of virus as well as the person’s age and health status. A viral infection in kids tends to last longer as their immune systems are not fully developed.
In cases where the viral fever is caused by a stomach bug, the fever can come down within a day or two if the infection is brought under control. Viral fever caused by a flu virus generally takes longer to subside and can last for up to 5 days. Keep a track of how long a viral fever lasts as this will help your doctor determine the type of virus so that your treatment course can be modified.

Treatment For Viral Fever

The treatment for viral fever is based solely on alleviating the symptoms of the infection. If your temperature is very high, your doctor may suggest antipyretic drugs to help control your fever. Similarly, if you have severe muscle, joint, or body aches, your doctor may recommend analgesic drugs to relieve the pain. If your viral fever is brought on by a respiratory infection, you can use a nasal decongestant but if your viral fever has been brought on by a stomach infection, you can have a probiotic supplement instead.
Do not try to self-medicate using an antibiotic – no matter how “strong” the antibiotic is, it will have no effect on the virus and in fact, it could leave you more susceptible to secondary infections. Antibiotics are meant to kill bacteria and they cannot damage a virus so make sure that you consult your doctor instead of trying to treat yourself. Have plenty of healthy foods that are not too oily or spicy.
Stick to foods like soups, idlis, jau roti, and dal khichdi as they are easy to digest. Have a power packed yogurt smoothie as a mid-day snack to revive your flagging energy levels.

Home Remedies For Viral Fever

Garlic

Garlic has several health benefits, which is why it is often used in home remedies and folk medicine. Garlic works as an expectorant and it has antiviral properties that make it so effective in treating viral fever and respiratory infections. Allicin, a sulfur compound in garlic has been proven to be effective in treating the common cold and flu. Chop 3-4 cloves of garlic and add this to a glass of hot water. Once the water cools down a little, drink it and then eat the garlic pieces. Do this at least twice a day to speed up the recovery process and reduce the severity of your viral fever.

Oranges

Oranges contain phytochemicals called limonoids that have anti-viral properties. These compounds also help to increase a person’s white blood cells (WBC), which is very important in the case of an infection as white blood cells fight off infection. Have oranges or homemade orange juice at least once a day to help get rid of your viral fever. Do not have packaged orange juice as this would not have the same nutritional or therapeutic benefits as fresh orange juice.

Honey

Honey contains antiviral compounds and it also works well as a cough suppressant which makes it the ideal home remedy for viral fever. Honey contains enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, which helps raise the level of antioxidants in the blood, in turn, helping improve overall health. Honey also contains several types of sugars and it is a healthy carb food; by including a couple of spoons of honey in your daily diet when you have a viral fever, you can boost your energy levels and help your body fight off the infection. Honey is a commonly adulterated food, so make sure that you only buy brands that are well known.

Ginger

Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and it studies show that it can help to reduce muscle and joint pain. This is why ginger is a common home remedy for fever as it helps to reduce the severity of the pains and aches associated with viral fever. You can make a cup of hot ginger tea by steeping grated ginger in a glass of boiling hot water for 3-5 minutes. Alternatively, you can add half a teaspoon of freshly ground ginger paste to 5 tablespoons of honey and have a teaspoon of this syrup every hour to help relieve the symptoms of viral fever.

Yoga Poses For Viral Fever

While high-intensity exercise is not recommended for people with viral fever, very mild yoga poses can help to reduce the severity of the infection. Most of the yoga poses for viral fever are deep breathing techniques that will ease respiratory distress and make it easier for you to expel excess mucus.
Some of the best yoga poses for a viral fever include Sukhasana (Easy Pose), Padmasana (Lotus Pose), Marjaryasana (Cat Pose), Balasana (Child’s pose), Ananda Balasana (Happy baby pose), and Trikonasana (triangle pose). These viral fever yoga poses will also lower your fever and improve your body’s immune response to the pathogen.
The majority of viral fevers are mild and clear up within a matter of days but there are a few that can pose a serious health threat. Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) are a group of illnesses that are characterized by fever and hemorrhage.
Ebola and dengue are VHFs and they can prove to be deadly if they are not treated in time. This is why it is important to visit your doctor if your symptoms get worse or if you notice any type of rash or petechiae (small red or purple spots).