Difference Between Fever and Hot Flashes

Fever vs Hot Flashes

Fever, or pyrexia, is described as an increase of body temperature as a response to a certain disease or illness. It is a common symptom of a medical condition. As the patient’s temperature increases, they may feel cold before their temperatures become stabilized or come to a halt.

Fever is not a form of disease but rather an indicator that the body is battling against an infection caused by viruses or bacteria. The rise in body temperature helps a person discover the infection. However, there are times that the body temperature may be too high that the fever may be serious enough to result in complications. But so long as the fever remains mild, there is really nothing to worry about. There is no need to put in too much effort in trying to bring the fever down. A body temperature reading beyond 39˚C, though, is no longer classified as a mild fever. If the fever remains mild, it simply indicates that the body is at work fighting the infection.

Fever is usually relieved by administering antipyretics or drugs that bring down fever. If a fever starts to be bothersome, these drugs can be given. Fevers may be caused by chicken pox, strep throat, flu, heat stroke, and alcohol withdrawal, among other things. When a person is down with a fever, he or she may feel cold, even if it is not cold at all, and he or she may shiver, lose appetite, and feel depressed. A patient may also have an increased sensitivity to pain, feel more tired than usual, and have problems with concentration.

On the other hand, hot flashes are a warm sensation that is felt all over the body which start from the head and neck area. Hot flashes are more commonly felt by women after their menopausal stage. However, not all women in their menopausal stage may experience this symptom. The decreasing estrogen levels are believed to be the cause of this particular symptom. A hot flash may also present itself as a result of taking certain medications, and sometimes it may occur with cancers or severe infections. Hot flashes are characterized by skin flushing, excessive sweating especially when sleeping.

Just like a fever, hot flashes are not a disease but a symptom. With a careful assessment of the patient’s medical history, the doctor may be able to determine whether a woman is experiencing hot flashes. Hot flashes can also be triggered by caffeine, alcohol, diet pills, spicy food, saunas, hot weather, hot rooms, and smoking. Hot flashes can be treated with bioidentical hormone therapy and other alternative treatments. The treatments may have not been proven to be effective and are also not approved by the FDA.

Summary:

1. Fever is defined as an increase in body temperature as a response to a certain disease.
2. Fever is an indicator of a body infection caused by viruses or bacteria, while hot flashes are experienced due to declining estrogen levels.
3. Both fevers and hot flashes are not diseases but symptoms
4. Fevers are relieved by antipyretics while hot flashes can be relieved by using hormonal therapy or other alternative treatments.
5. Hot flashes are usually experienced by menopausal women, while a fever is experienced by anyone who may have an infection.
6. Hot flashes are characterized by skin flushing and excessive sweating especially when sleeping.
7. Fevers are characterized by a rise in temperature as read in a thermometer where a reading of 39˚C is considered a mild fever which is usually not alarming.
8. Hot flashes may be a result of certain medications, while a fever is usually the result of an infection which the body is trying to fight.

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