According to the National Health System, hyperthermia is one of the most common symptoms among those affected by coronavirus who are not asymptomatic. Now, if you have a fever, how can you know if it is caused by this disease? If you don't have it, should you not worry? What you have to do? Two experts solve your doubts.
Dr. Manuel Menduiña Guillén, specialist in Internal Medicine member of Doctoralia, explains that the increase in body temperature is almost constant in coronavirus patients who present some symptoms: “It is, without a doubt, the most frequent symptom of patients who attend to consultation. Between 83 and 98% of the cases of patients infected with symptoms by this virus present it. It is a fever without chills - from 37.5 to 38 degrees -, without having a high fever of more than 39 degrees. It does not have a clear time predominance, it can appear in the morning or at night indistinctly ”.
Regarding how to treat it, Dr. Josep Ordi Ros, specialist in Internal Medicine in Barcelona and a member of top doctors, adds that “ coronavirus fever responds temporarily or partially to antipyretics such as paracetamol, although, on occasions, it is necessary to resort to aspirin or add them to avoid taking an overdose of paracetamol ”.
CORONAVIRUS: THE PROCESS DOES NOT ALWAYS RUN WITH A FEVER
A study published by The New England Journal of Medicine warns of the importance of not focusing solely on this factor, since although it is usually present in most cases with symptoms, "the absence of fever can occur in some cases and afebrile patients could escape detection of the virus if surveillance focuses only on that symptom. In summary, it is necessary to assess the set of symptoms that the patient presents, as well as his clinical history to reach an accurate conclusion.
YOU HAVE A FEVER, WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
As indicated by the Ministry of Health, if your body temperature rises you can use paracetamol, put wet cloths on your forehead or take a warm shower to try to control the fever. Also, you should drink plenty of fluids and rest; yes, moving around the room from time to time.
If you cannot control the fever, your symptoms worsen or you begin to feel short of breath, immediately call 112 or the telephone number set up in your Autonomous Community for emergencies, which you can find on the official website of the Ministry of Health.
NOTHING TO BE ALARMED!
In any case, you should exercise extreme caution, but without being alarmed. Fernando Simón, director of the Center for Coordination of Health Emergencies, has warned that around 60% of COVID-19 cases that are detected are asymptomatic. Of the 40%, it is estimated that a tall character passes the disease with moderate symptoms or as a strong flu.
