BCT # 11 (PYREXIA)

Pyrexia or fever is an abnormal elevation of body temperature. It is said to be present when:

• Rectal temperature is at or over 37.5 - 38.3 °C (99.5 - 100.9 °F)
• Oral Temperature is at or over 37.2 °C (99.0 °F) in the morning or over 37.7 °C (99.9 °F) in the afternoon.
• Axillary temperature is at or over 37.2 °C (99.0 °F)

Fever can be caused by various viruses, bacteria, parasites and might be seen in certain conditions. Pyrexia of unknown origin can also be seen in many cases. Symptoms include chills, shivering initially, followed by feeling flushed and sweating. There may be associated symptoms like lethargy, loss of appetite, sleepiness and inability to concentrate.

Fever can occur in certain patterns which indicates towards the diagnosis.

• It can be a continuous fever, as seen in typhoid, lobar pneumonia, UTI or typhus, where the temperature remains elevated throughout the day and does not fluctuate by more than 1 °C in 24 hours.
• Intermittent fever, as seen in malaria, leishmaniasis, pyemia or sepsis, where temperature is elevated for a certain period, cycling back to normal. It can further be of quotidian, tertian and quartan types in malaria.
• Remittent fever, as in infective endocarditis or brucellosis, where temperature is elevated all day and fluctuates by more than 1 °C in 24 hours.

Action of Ingredients:

Ferrum phosphoricum: All catarrhal and inflammatory fevers; first stage. Chill daily at 1 pm with desire to stretch. Fevers of unknown origin. Fevers, continued infectious, pneumonia intermittent, measles, hemorrhagic. Heat with sweaty hands.

Kali muriaticum: Congestions and inflammations, second stage, of any organ or part of the body. Catarrhal fever, great chilliness, the least cold air chills him through, has to sit close to fire to keep warm and is chilly. Rheumatic fever; exudation and swelling around the joints.

Natrum muriaticum: Chill between 9 and 11 am. Heat; violent thirst, increases with fever. Fever blisters. Coldness of the body and continued chilliness very marked. Hydremia in chronic maarial states with weakness, constipation, loss of appette, etc. Sweats on every exertion.

Kali sulphuricum: Rise of temperature at night. Intermittent fever, with a yellow slimy tongue. Profuse, easy sweat.

Natrum sulphuricum: Chilly, cannot get warm even in bed. Heat with aversion to uncover. Chilliness, shaking and chattering of teeth with anguish and thirst. Sudden flashes of heat towards evening.