As temperatures rise, many people assume that a sudden fever is simply due to heat exposure. However, doctors warn that not every summer fever is heat-related. In fact, confusing heat-related fever with infections like Dengue or Malaria can delay treatment and increase health risks. “When we talk about any infection, more specifically malaria or dengue, the patient will have extremely high temperature, so the temperature will be more than 39 degrees Celsius, and the patient will have chills and rages, the body will shiver a lot,” informed Dr. Murtaza S. Bagwala, Head of Emergency Medical Services, Saifee Hospital.
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Heat-related fever occurs when the body is exposed to extreme temperatures and struggles to regulate itself. To cool down, the body sweats excessively, leading to fluid loss and dehydration. This disrupts the body’s cooling mechanism and causes a mild rise in temperature, usually below 39°C. According to Dr. Bagwala, a few common symptoms include:
Doctors are increasingly seeing patients misdiagnose themselves during the summer. According to Dr. Divya Gopal, Additional Director of Internal Medicine at Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, assuming all fevers are due to heat can be dangerous. “If you are experiencing shivering, intense bone pain (that 'break-bone' feeling), or a fever that refuses to subside with rest, please don't self-medicate with over-the-counter pills. A simple blood test can be the difference between a quick recovery and a week in the hospital. Stay hydrated, use your mosquito nets, and if the fever spikes, see your doctor immediately. Let’s not let a preventable infection catch us off guard this summer,” she said.
According to Dr. Gopal, these symptoms do not improve with rest alone and require medical evaluation.
Dengue, malaria are no longer just rainy season ailments
Traditionally linked to monsoon, mosquito-borne diseases are now seen throughout the year. Experts say urban factors like construction sites, water stagnation in AC ducts and containers, and poor drainage systems have created ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, especially in cities like Mumbai.
As Dr Shalini Suralkar, Director – Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital, explains, many patients ignore warning signs, assuming dehydration is the cause, and go for home-based treatment, which worsens the condition. “The other major problem is the tendency among people to think that summers cause fever and treat themselves with home-based treatments without consulting any physician. This method of treatment can prove dangerous for one, as it has been noted that cases of malaria get serious when left untreated and may damage important organs of the body, like the kidneys, liver, lungs, and brain. Malaria in its falciparum form can turn out to be deadly too,” she said.
A key difference between heat fever and infections is duration and severity. Seek medical help if:
Drink plenty of water and fluids to prevent dehydration.
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