Being sick is a drag. Most of us would rather hold onto a
hot potato than endure the aches and pains and discomfort of disease. And a
fever can turn almost anyone into a hot mess. We may get a little hot under the
collar. We might run hot and cold. We might get hot and bothered.
Some folks recoil in abject terror at the prospect of a
fever.
Febriphobia is the
fear of fever.
Generally brought on by an infection, a fever can summon all
sorts of scary symptoms and complications. It’s not always just a slight increase
in body temperature. A fever may be accompanied by dehydration, drowsiness, flushed
skin, lethargy, muscle stiffness, skin rash, and tinnitus (a ringing in the
ears). In the most severe or long-lasting situations, a febrile person may
experience confusion, hallucinations, seizures, or trouble breathing.
Untreated, a prolonged very high fever may even lead to brain damage or death.
Parents of young children may have febriphobia about their
kids developing fevers, even if they do not fear experiencing high temperatures
for themselves.
Sometimes an elevated
temperature is a good thing.
It’s spring, and it’s often rainy at this time of year.
Combine that phenomenon with the fact that we’re just coming out of winter, and
most of us likely feel a little cabin fever. Right about now, we call it spring
fever. We’re itching to get out and move more. We’re craving an uptick in the outdoor
temperature. And our desire for pleasant weather is likely reaching a fever
pitch.
But we still wouldn’t
want a real fever, right?
Dengue, no.
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