Fever can have effect on various systems in the body
Effect on cardiovascular system
With every 1°F rise of temperature above 100°F the following changes are observed
1.The pulse rate increases by 10
Relative bradycardia means there is no proportionate increase in the pulse rate with rise in temperature
This is seen in
- Any viral fever.
- First week of enteric fever.
- Sometimes in pyogenic meningitis.
- Brucellosis and psittacosis
The rise is more than 10/degree F
- Actute rheumatic carditis.
- Tuberculosis.
- Diphtheritic myocarditis.
- Polyarteritis nodosa.
Effect of fever on respiratory system
There is rise in respiratory rate by 4degree F with rise of temperature above 100 degree F
Tachypnea is seen especially in pneumonia
Effect of fever on central nervous system
- There is headache due to vasodilatation
- Febrile convulsion can occur especially in children
- Acute confused state and delirium may be seen in febrile patients called and is called as toxic encephalopathy
These manifestations include anorexia. constipation and herpes labialis
These are especially seen in patients with pneumonia and malaria (rare in enteric fever),
Effect of fever on skin
- Cutaneous manifestations are seen with fever
- Miliaria is due to sweat retention rash
- Rash in exanthematous fevers link
