Fever with discomfort on muscles, bones, joints and skin

Fever with discomfort on muscles, bones, joints and skin

Fever with discomfort in muscles, bones, joints and skin

Related complaints

The normal core body temperature in humans is around 37 degrees Celsius, one speaks of fever from a rectally (in the anus) measured temperature of over 38.0 degrees Celsius, between 37.5 and 38 degrees Celsius one speaks of increased or subfebrile temperature. If the temperature is measured under the armpit, 37.6 degrees Celsius is considered a fever.

In women, the body temperature also fluctuates by up to 0.5 degrees Celsius over the course of the cycle. It is highest in the days shortly after ovulation.

Fever is triggered by messenger substances from the immune system that are produced when the body has to deal with inflammation. Most of the time, the body then deals with infectious agents such as viruses, bacteria and fungi, less often there are injuries, autoimmune diseases or tumors behind it. Extreme efforts like running a marathon also lead to fever.

Although fever is uncomfortable due to the associated pronounced feeling of illness, as well as the sometimes severe headache and body aches, it has positive effects: By increasing the core body temperature, parts of the immune system work faster, more antibodies are formed and the aggressiveness of some pathogens decreases. But this only applies to moderate fever up to 39 degrees Celsius. It is therefore all the more important to differentiate precisely whether antipyretic therapy is necessary – after all, in the case of viral flu (influenza), for example, the duration of the disease is usually shortened by three days if one does not use antipyretic therapy.

In the case of a fever above 39 degrees Celsius with an unclear cause, antipyretic therapy is almost always recommended, since the disadvantages of high fever outweigh the advantages. If the cause is an infection with a bacterium or virus, you can at least do without a medication-lowering fever. If the fever rises to 40 degrees Celsius and higher, the family doctor or pediatrician must be asked to visit the house or to ask what to do. In some cases, the doctor even advises you to go to hospital.

Fever is always a serious sign that something is wrong in the body. Since it occurs as an accompanying symptom of many diseases, a close observation of the remaining symptoms is usually the best way to discover the actual trigger.

Fever, associated with pain in various joints and muscles, is usually caused by a rheumatic disease, unless it is a body ailment due to an infection or injury. If the pain is limited to a single joint, a small muscle or bone area, there is often a bacterial infection behind it, especially if there is swelling or redness at the same time.

Urine and blood tests for fever. The fever cannot be detected directly in the laboratory, but some of the messenger substances and metabolic reactions of the underlying inflammatory processes can be detected. Most commonly used in the doctor’s office:

  • The erythrocyte sedimentation, more specifically the Determination of the sedimentation rate (BSG). This is very often increased in febrile illnesses, but is nevertheless considered a rather unreliable value – because on the one hand it reacts relatively sluggishly, but on the other hand it can be increased for weeks after a cured infection.
  • The C-reactive protein (CRP) is the more modern alternative to lowering blood. The CRP is a so-called acute phase protein that increases 6 to 12 hours after the onset of the inflammatory reaction. But both CRP and the lowering of blood only prove that there is inflammation, but say nothing about the specific cause.
  • Here helps z. B. that Procalcitonin (PCT). It is the best laboratory test to detect bacterial infection. Very high values ​​above 10 ng / ml mean life risk from blood poisoning
  • The blood count very often shows an increase in white blood cells in fever (leukocytosis), the "police" in the body’s defense system. However, some pathogens such as a number of viruses also lead to leukopenia, i.e. a decrease in white blood cells.
  • urine tests are used to confirm suspected bladder infection or inflammation of the urinary tract or kidney.

Sometimes, despite all diagnostic measures, it is not possible to find the cause of the fever: despite intensive diagnostics with many laboratory tests, X-rays, sonography and other imaging methods, the cause of the fever remains unclear. Here the doctor speaks of Unexplained fever (often in English FUO = fever of unknown origin). Hospitalization may even be necessary here, if e.g. B. is a gradual but still life-threatening inflammation of the inner lining of the heart (endocarditis).

Overheating (hyperthermia) is to be distinguished from fever due to the excessive supply of heat from the outside: this can occur when the heat is exhausted or sunstroke, or also in some – very rare – metabolic disorders in the muscle. In the latter, also known as malignant hyperthermia, the metabolism in the muscles in hereditarily predisposed people derailed after the administration of certain anesthetics. As a result, the muscles generate a great deal of heat – the body temperature can then rise to over 44 degrees Celsius.

It is also important to correctly interpret the body’s signals: while the temperature rises and hands and feet feel cold, the opposite effect occurs when the temperature, e.g. B. after taking an antipyretic drug, drops again. The body then reacts with a feeling of heat and sweating.

Symptoms, their causes, measures and self-help

Limb and headache with fever; mostly signs of a cold and / or an intestinal infection

Acute, severe pain in the shoulders, neck, buttocks and thighs with fever; Difficulty raising arms over shoulders; rigidity of the affected muscles

Persistent, sore pain and increasing weakness the shoulder, buttocks and hip muscles with fever; initially v. a. Difficulty raising arms above head, climbing stairs; possibly rash

Persistent or changing joint pain with fever; mostly symmetrical; possibly night sweats, weakness; possibly rash or bleeding

Rapidly increasing localized bone pain with fever; possibly swelling and redness

Rapidly increasing localized bone pain with fever; with children; possibly swelling

Rapidly increasing, most severe pain in a joint with high fever; possibly swelling and possibly redness

Painful swelling, redness, and warmth over knees or elbows with high fever; after a fall or other (even small) injuries, Pain aggravated by flexion of the joint

Increasing, painful redness and / or swelling on or under the skin with fever and chills; mostly on lower legs, arms or face; sharply limited

painless Swelling or nodules under the skin, e.g. B. in the area of ​​the neck, armpits or groin, with fever; fatigue; possibly night sweats; possibly weight loss

Rash with throat problems or other cold symptoms and fever

Itchy blistering rash with fever

Light red rash in young children after a 3 (–7) day fever has subsided

Half-sided, band-shaped pain with fever; burning, pungent; affected skin often hypersensitive; Blister rash 2-3 days after

Small irregular bloody dark spots with fever on the arms, legs and / or oral mucosa or only on the soles of the hands and feet

Limb and headache with fever; mostly signs of a cold and / or an intestinal infection

Root cause:

General infection, e.g. B. as

Measure:

  • The same day to the family doctor if the fever > Lasts 3 days or increases again after a few days of fever break

Acute, severe pain in the shoulders, neck, buttocks and thighs with fever; Difficulty raising arms over shoulders; rigidity of the affected muscles

Root cause:

  • Polymyalgia rheumatica (rheumatic muscle inflammation)

Measure:

  • In the next few days to the family doctor

Persistent, sore pain and increasing weakness the shoulder, buttocks and hip muscles with fever; initially v. a. Difficulty raising arms above head, climbing stairs; possibly rash

Causes:

Measure:

  • In the next few weeks to the family doctor

Persistent or changing joint pain with fever; mostly symmetrical; possibly night sweats, weakness; possibly rash or bleeding

Causes:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Juvenile arthritis
  • Vasculitis, e.g. B. Panarteritis nodosa
  • Collagenoses, e.g. B. Lupus erythematosus
  • Acute sarcoidosis

Activities:

  • On the same day to the family doctor for skin bleeding and weakness attacks
  • Otherwise, see a doctor in the next few days

Rapidly increasing localized bone pain with fever; possibly swelling and redness

Root cause:

  • Bone marrow infection (osteomyelitis), e.g. B. after open bone fractures or bone operations

Measure:

  • Immediately to the family doctor, pediatrician or orthopedist

Rapidly increasing localized bone pain with fever; with children; possibly swelling

Root cause:

Measure:

  • In the next few days to the pediatrician, family doctor or orthopedist

Rapidly increasing, most severe pain in a joint with high fever; possibly swelling and possibly redness

Root cause:

  • Septic arthritis (purulent joint inflammation), e.g. B. in diabetes, alcohol addiction

Measure:

  • Immediately to the family doctor or orthopedist

Painful swelling, redness, and warmth over knees or elbows with high fever; after a fall or other (even small) injuries, Pain aggravated by flexion of the joint

Root cause:

  • Acute bursitis on the (elbow) or knee

Measure:

  • Immediately to the family doctor or orthopedist

Self-help:

  • Refrigeration applications (e.g. ice packs, cool packs)

Increasing, painful redness and / or swelling on or under the skin with fever and chills; mostly on lower legs, arms or face; sharply limited

Root cause:

Bacterial infection, e.g. B.

Measure:

  • Immediately to the family doctor

painless Swelling or nodules under the skin, e.g. B. in the area of ​​the neck, armpits or groin, with fever; fatigue; possibly night sweats; possibly weight loss

Root cause:

Inflammation of the lymph nodes in general diseases such as

Measure:

  • In the next few days to the family doctor

Rash with throat problems or other cold symptoms and fever

Root cause:

Measure:

  • On the same or the next day to the pediatrician or family doctor for severe sore throats

Itchy blistering rash with fever

Root cause:

Measure:

  • On the same day to the pediatrician in infants

Light red rash in young children after a 3 (–7) day fever has subsided

Root cause:

  • Three-day fever (exanthema subitum)

Measure:

  • See a pediatrician on the same day if an infant has a high fever or an older child has a fever for more than 3 days for no apparent reason

Half-sided, band-shaped pain with fever; burning, pungent; affected skin often hypersensitive; Blister rash 2-3 days after

Root cause:

  • Shingles (herpes zoster)

Measure:

  • On the same day to the family doctor or dermatologist

Self-help:

  • Cold envelopes or compresses
  • Powder and creams with local anesthetics (e.g. Eucerin® acute spray)

Small irregular bloody dark spots with fever on the arms, legs and / or oral mucosa or only on the soles of the hands and feet

Causes:

  • Blood poisoning (sepsis)
  • Meningitis (inflammation of the meninges)
  • Endocarditis (inflammation of the heart), usually only on the soles of the hands and feet
  • Tropical diseases like dengue fever

Activities:

  • Immediately go to the clinic if you have a high fever, headache, stiff neck, decreased consciousness
  • Otherwise on the same day to the family doctor or pediatrician

Your pharmacist recommends

Antipyretic drugs.

So-called "antipyretics" should only be used if the fever has risen above 39 degrees Celsius, the body is overused or the fever has to be fit, e.g. B. on a business trip. Even if the severe symptoms prevent you from sleeping soundly, taking an antipyretic can significantly improve sleep. Three active substances are particularly suitable: paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid and ibuprofen. All three suppress the formation of prostaglandins, the messenger substances that cause the fever. In addition, they have an analgesic effect and help against headaches and body aches. Before each intake, the doctor or pharmacist should clarify which medication is suitable in the individual case. Particular caution is required, especially for children and pregnant women.

  • Paracetamol e.g. B. ben-u-ron®, paracetamol Stada®. The single dose for lowering fever for adults is 500–1000 mg. Do not take more often than every 4-6 hours. A single dose must not exceed 1000 mg. The maximum dose per day, depending on body weight and age, is 2000–4000 mg, but side effects are already common at this dosage (for example, an increase in liver values). Warning: acetylsalicylic acid (e.g. Aspirin®) must not be used in children under 16 and in pregnant women.
  • Acetylsalicylic acid e.g. B. Aspirin®, ASS® (from Heumann, Hexal, ct, ratiopharm, Stada etc.). The single dose for lowering fever for adults is 300–600 mg depending on body weight and age. Do not take more often than every 4-6 hours. A single dose must not exceed 1000 mg. The maximum daily dose is 300–4000 mg depending on weight and age, however side effects are to be expected in this dosage (heartburn, stomach pain, nausea, possibly ringing in the ears – especially in the elderly).
  • Ibuprofen e.g. B. Ibuprof®, Dolormin®, Brufen®, Jenaprofen® etc. The single dose for lowering fever for adults is 200–400 mg depending on body weight and age. Do not take more than every 6 hours. A single dose must not exceed 800 mg. The maximum dose per day, depending on body weight and age, is 1200–2400 mg, side effects are already to be expected at this dosage (especially heartburn, nausea, stomach pain – especially in the elderly).

Drink a lot.

For every degree of temperature increase, the body needs an additional liter of fluid a day. Tea or simply water are particularly suitable to meet the increased fluid requirement. Since feverish people sleep or doze a lot, drinking is often forgotten. As a reminder, drinks should therefore be kept within sight of the bed. A simple rule helps to check the amount of drinking: if the amount of urine is as high as on healthy days, the hydration is sufficient.

Dissipate heat to the outside.

"glows" the body, sometimes helps cooling from the outside. Often it is enough to dress more easily or to cover only thinly. Wet calf wraps, washes with a cool dampened washcloth or a lukewarm bath are tried and tested home remedies for the excessive body temperature. You don’t have to overdo it: Since the heat is transported to the body surface via the blood, the wraps should not be too cold. In extreme cold, the blood vessels contract and the heat of the body is hardly released to the outside.

If you are not too limp, a walk in cool air is a good thing and helps to keep your head clear.

Take things easy

. Even if feverish people feel weak themselves – the body works at full speed to ward off invading germs. It is all the more important not to put additional strain on the body. Adequate breaks on the sofa or even bed rest are just as effective as a diet. You should eat what you feel like. This is especially true for children and the elderly who tend to refuse to eat. Light food such as soups or steamed vegetables are supposed to relieve the circulation, but an ice cream or a cola with a lot of sugar, which is otherwise prohibited, can also do the body good.

complementary medicine.

Some active ingredients from phytotherapy act like natural antipyretic, especially the ingredients of the willow bark. An antipyretic tea is easy to prepare yourself: slowly heat a teaspoon of bark with 1/4 liter of cold water to the boil, then let it steep for five minutes and drink in sips. Other plants such as elderflowers and linden blossoms tend to have a diaphoretic effect.

Whether vitamin C supports the immune system has not yet been scientifically proven, at least with regard to colds. Vitamin C has no direct effect on fever. But if you believe in vitamin C, you have the choice between natural sources such as fruit and beetroot juice or vitamin preparations from the pharmacy.

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Christina Cherry
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