COVID doctors in Kolkata

COVID Doctor in Kolkata on the Different Types of Fevers

As of 12 July 2022, there has been an increase in COVID-19 cases in West Bengal.

Under this backdrop, one of the best COVID doctors in Kolkata, Dr Amitabha Saha tells you how you can distinguish between fever from different types of diseases and COVID-19.

Let’s take a look!

What Are the Common Types of Fever?

Fever occurs due to the increase in the production of white blood cells that trigger the brain to heat up the body. The body responds by trying to cool itself down and constrict blood vessels. This leads to chills and shivers.

However, it is not widely known that fever is actually an evolved defence mechanism. It helps immune cells to work faster and puts a lot of stress on pathogens and infected cells than it does on the healthy cells of the body.

So in some cases, fever should be allowed to run its course. On that note take a look at the common types of fevers.

  • Bacterial

Bacterial infection can affect any part of the body including the CNS, lower and upper respiratory system, bladder, kidney, urinary tract, circulatory system and the skin. Moreover, in this monsoon season, there can be several water-borne bacterial infections like gut infection and typhoid which cause fever. Other bacterial infection occurs with gram-negative bacteria for example those that cause UTI and blood-borne infections. Fevers caused due to any of these infections can be treated with antibiotics. Scrub typhus is another example of a bacterial disease that causes fevers.

  • Viral

The viral fevers may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting, and these fevers clear with time. Viral fevers may be incurred due to Adenovirus, Respiratory syncytial virus, SARS, dengue, chikungunya, common cold, influenza, chickenpox, mumps, measles and rubella.

  • Vector-borne

There are several vector borne diseases that cause fevers. Vector borne diseases are those that are transmitted by the bite of the arthropod species like mosquitoes, ticks, sandflies, etc. These are malaria (mosquito), dengue (mosquito), typhoid (house fly) and cholera (house fly).

  • Parasitical Causes

Certain parasites like the Plasmodium group are spread through vectors like mosquitoes which cause fevers like malaria.

  • Traveller’s fever

Being exposed to new foods, insects, toxins or some vaccine-preventable fevers like yellow fever can also cause fever.

  • Fungal

Fungal infections can cause fevers (for example Valley fever) and these are treated with anti-fungal medications. If left untreated these diseases can lead to death or physical dysfunction.

  • Tumour fever

Drugs used to treat cancers and tumours can also cause fever. Fever can act as a side effect of some of the drugs being taken as well. Moreover, fever is an early symptom of leukaemia or lymphoma, which is a blood cancer.

  • Blood clot

When blood clots form in the leg, they can cause pain and swelling. If the clot breaks and travels in the bloodstream it causes inflammation which causes fever.

  • Drug (medication) fever

Taking certain drugs as medication can cause fever as a side effect. It will typically appear 7-10 days after drug administration and stop once the drug is discontinued. Some of the agents associated with causing fever as a side effect include penicillin, antituberculars, quinidine, cephalosporins, methyldopa, procainamide, and phenytoin.

COVID doctors in Kolkata

  • Environmental fever (heat stroke)

Overheating or hyperthermia leaves a person feeling disoriented, lethargic and confused. Hyperthermia causes heat cramps, exhaustion, rash, stress, and stroke. This cannot be classified as an actual “fever”, however.

COVID doctors in Kolkata

How to Distinguish Between the Symptoms of COVID-19. Flu, Common Cold and Allergies?

COVID-19’s primary symptoms are cough, fever, loss of taste or smell, fatigue, and some secondary symptoms may include sore throat, headache, body ache, diarrhoea, red or irritated eyes, skin rash, discolouration of toes and fingers.

Seasonal flu or influenza typically has secondary symptoms of diarrhoea, nausea, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle or body aches.
Common cold has primary symptoms of sneezing, stuffy nose, sore throat, chest discomfort and cough.

Seasonal allergies or hay fever has symptoms of runny nose, itchy eyes, mouth or skin, sneezing and stuffy nose. There may also be wheezing and shortness of breath.

Here are 2 ways in which to differentiate between COVID and normal cold.

  • Cough and sore throat do not respond well to steam inhalation or anti-inflammatory medicine.
  • In the common cold-sore throat, the fever goes intermittently up and down but in COVID it is a continuous one.

Conclusion

To identify the exact type of fever, you will need to consult with a doctor. If you suspect COVID, contact Dr Amitabha Saha one of the best COVID doctors in Kolkata. Do not take over-the-counter medications as these may prove to be harmful in the long run. So, get treated today by one of Kolkata’s most reputed doctors!