Tests such as CBC, ALT, and ESR can help facilitate the timely detection of the underlying cause of recurring fever. Spotting the source of your fever can help your doctor provide you with optimal treatment.
When your body experiences a sudden spike in temperature, it is termed a fever. Fever is often caused by a bacterial infection or virus. This temporary condition is caused by the hypothalamus in the brain. Upon the detection of an infection, our immune system triggers a set of complex defence processes that produce heat. This activates the hypothalamus to increase your body’s overall temperature.
Recurring fevers can also be described as episodic fevers, meaning that they come and go. If it stretches over a long time, then chances are there is a severe underlying cause behind it. Several tests can help in the identification of the root cause behind this condition. They include:
- CBC test
A complete blood count (CBC) test is used to analyse your health. It helps in identifying underlying symptoms or conditions such as anaemia, infection, leukaemia etc. A CBC test measures specific components and checks if there is an abnormal increase or decrease in them. These components include:
- Red blood cells – Their primary task is to carry oxygen.
- White blood cells – They help in fighting infections.
- Haemoglobin – It is the oxygen-carrying protein found in red blood cells.
- Hematocrit – It refers to the number of red blood cells in your blood.
- Platelets – They help in blood clotting.
- CRP test
A C-Reactive Protein (CRP) test is used to measure the level of c-reactive protein in your blood. In cases of inflammation in your body, your lungs release these proteins into your blood indicating a bacterial infection or a severe health condition. A CRP test can help monitor inflammation or find out if your body is suffering from acute or chronic conditions such as infections, lung diseases or auto-immune disorders. This would help the doctor to ascertain the cause of the fever and optimise your treatment accordingly.
- Complete urine examination
A complete urine examination or a urinalysis – a test of your urine – is used to detect and manage a range of diseases including urinary tract infections, kidney diseases and diabetes. A urinalysis is used to check the appearance, concentration and content of your urine. Unusual test results in your urinalysis can be linked to various disorders. A comprehensive urine examination helps in detecting such issues.
- ALT test
Usually recommended alongside other blood tests, an ALT test is often done as part of a liver function test. It helps in determining if your body can maintain a proper balance of different proteins, enzymes and substances, especially the alanine transaminase (a liver enzyme) content in your liver. If you have been experiencing fatigue, nausea, vomiting, weakness etc. then your health provider may order an ALT test for a routine check-up even if you are not suffering from liver disease. This enables the medical practitioner to identify the root cause of the problem.
- ESR test
ESR Tests help in measuring the erythrocyte sedimentation rate or sed rate in your body. It is a blood test that helps in identifying inflammatory activity. When your blood is placed in a test tube, red blood cells gradually settle towards the bottom. However, inflammation can cause the cells to clump. Sed rate tests are useful when evaluating unexplained fevers. It will help your health provider to analyse your condition optimally.
If you are experiencing recurring fever, chills, vomiting etc. then you should consult your doctor immediately.
The fever profile test includes tests like CBC, SGOT, SGPT, complete urine examination and ESR tests. These tests can be extremely beneficial in the early identification of the underlying cause of recurring fever. If you are experiencing symptoms such as chills, nausea and fatigue then you should take the fever profile test package without any further delay.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/sed-rate/about/pac-20384797
