Viral fever: Symptoms, treatment and prevention

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi has been hospitalised at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi on Tuesday following a viral fever.

Here's everything you need to know about viral fever.

Viral fever refers to a wide range of viral conditions, but is usually characterised by an increase in normal body temperature. A viral infection can affect several parts of the body, including, the heart muscle, intestine, lungs, and airways, etc.

Viral fever can affect anyone, but children and old people are more susceptible to it due to lowered immunity. The condition is also quite common during the winter months.

Viral fever can be transmitted from one person to another – the virus is spread when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Viral infections can be also a result of intake of contaminated food or water. Some of the viral infections can be spread sexually or by direct inoculation into the blood stream.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of viral fever include:

• Low or high fever
• Chills
• Sore or itchy throat
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Headache
• Nasal congestion
• Red and watery eyes
• Muscle and joint pains
• Fatigue
• Skin rashes

Treatment

Treatment is symptomatic with the use of antipyretic and analgesic drugs. It may be noted that viruses cannot be killed by antibiotics. Besides medications, people suffering from viral fever are advised bed rest and adequare fluid intake.

Most people tend to self medicate, which can be dangerous. Do not self-medicate, but visit a doctor if you notice symptoms like high fever with chills or one that won't go away with medication.

Prevention

It is difficult to prevent viral fevers since they occur as epidemics of infection depending on their mode of spread. However, you can reduce your risk of getting viral infections by taking some preventive measures, such as, washing your hands thoroughly with soaps and water, avoiding crowded places, not touching your face – mouth, nose, eyes – without washing your hands, having warm and home cooked food.