fever Flashcards
What is the body’s thermostat?
hypothalamus
As fever increases, what happens to vasoconstriction when mounting a fever response?
increases, shivering
when does sweating occur?
when a fever is on decline and vasodialation decreases.
What is the main culprit of fever?
infection, then neoplasms
What is the endogenous mechanism of fever?
interlukin 1 released from macrophages and TNF released from cells
What is the exogenous mechanism of fever?
phagocytosis destruction of bacteria and release of LPS. pyrogens released cause hypothalamus to reset at high temperature
What are the 3 beneficial effects of fever?
helps to set up specific defenses with T cells
speeds up metabolism for tissue repair
increase antiviral effect of interferons
What are some side effects of extreme hyperthermia?
endothelial vascular damage, DIC, hypoxia, seizures/coma
when a fever presents, which 4 categories do you want to look into?
identifying host factors, epidemiology, symptamology, medication.
What are the 2 circumstances in which you would wnat to treat a fever?
- child has tendency for febrile convulsions
2. pt serious primary disease like HD, KD, LD
If there are no focal symptoms or findings what should you beware of?
if child is <3 months, serious fulminant disease. or septicemia in older pt.
When having a fever and rash what should you beware of?
meningococcal septicemia
when fever and stomach pain n/v what should you beware of?
appendicitis and UTI
Neck pain and fever?
CNS infection
Joint pain and fever-
purulent joint infection, rheumatic fever
