Why Have I Had a Low-Grade Fever for a Week?
There are many reasons for low-grade fever. With proper measures, it can usually be resolved quickly if the temperature is not too high. However, some people may experience persistent low-grade fever, which requires attention as it may be caused by infectious, non-infectious, or functional diseases such as chronic biliary infection, lupus erythematosus, and neurogenic fever. Here are some common causes and treatment methods:
1. Infectious Diseases
Infectious diseases are the most common cause of low-grade fever, accounting for approximately 40% of cases. Among all infectious low-grade fevers, tuberculous infection is the most common. It is characterized by afternoon fever, possibly accompanied by symptoms such as cough, fatigue, and night sweats. Other common causes of long-term low-grade fever include chronic biliary infection, chronic pyelonephritis, chronic urinary tract infection, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic otitis media, chronic sinusitis, AIDS, subacute endocarditis, and cytomegalovirus infection.
2. Non-infectious Diseases
Non-infectious diseases that can cause low-grade fever include hyperthyroidism, rheumatic fever, lupus erythematosus, hematological diseases, tumors, and drug-induced fever.
3. Functional Diseases
Functional diseases, including physiological fever, seasonal fever, environmental fever, and neurogenic fever, can also cause low-grade fever. Except for environmental fever, which is more common in young women and children under 3 years old, these fevers are often accompanied by symptoms such as sweating, hand tremor, insomnia, fatigue, and anorexia. The fevers typically peak in the morning.
Treatment and Prevention
When experiencing low-grade fever, it is important to stay hydrated by drinking fluids such as vegetable juice and herbal tea to help with sweating and prevent dehydration. Water helps regulate body temperature and replenishes fluids lost through fever. A good indicator of adequate water intake is the clarity of urine. If the fever is not too high, a warm compress can be used to reduce the temperature by wiping the forehead and limbs with a damp, warm towel until the fever resolves. Warm water is generally suitable for this purpose. However, if the temperature rises above 39°C, a cold compress should be used instead to prevent further temperature elevation.
It is also important to adjust clothing appropriately to facilitate heat dissipation. Clothing should not be excessive to allow for heat dissipation, but also not too little to avoid feeling cold. If feeling hot, it is advisable to remove excess clothing to allow the body to cool down. Conversely, if shivering, it is important to add layers of clothing until feeling warm. Special attention should be paid to infants, as they may not know how to remove clothing when feeling overheated. Wearing too many clothes or being in a hot environment can both lead to fever.
