How contagious are different types of fever?
Hives fever is caused by the popularly known “hives”. It is a skin disease that can have many causes. However, its physical manifestation is independent of the cause.
The name already suggests that this disease is characterized by wheals and redness on the skin, which normally occur after contact with nettle (also: stinging nettle). They also cause the same symptoms as severe itching and a feeling of heat on the skin. The accompanying fever is explained by the inflammatory reaction caused by this disease.
However, it is usually not contagious. This is due to the fact that the wheals are not caused by pathogens. Rather, it is factors such as stress, sunlight or medication that lead to an allergic reaction.
The immune system is therefore activated as in a normal infection, but it is directed against the consequences of physical stimuli or ingredients and not against components of bacteria or viruses. Thus, no transmission can take place and infection is impossible as long as the person concerned does not suffer from an additional infection. The 3-day fever is a typical childhood disease characterized by three days of persistent high fever.
With the rapid removal of fever on the fourth day, a characteristic rash appears all over the body. The disease is caused by herpes viruses. In itself, infections with herpes viruses are highly contagious if there is sufficient physical contact with the person affected.
However, it must be remembered that the rate of infection with this virus is very high in the population. In principle, a child with a 3-day fever is highly infectious during the fever interval. Theoretically, however, most parents have already been in contact with the herpes virus and no longer infect their sick children.
However, kindergartens and schools should not be visited during the illness phase, especially since the high fever causes an enormous feeling of illness in those affected. Dengue fever is a serious tropical disease. It is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes.
An infection from person to person is not common. The only possible infection here is the transmission of infected blood products. In another way, a person affected cannot, for example, infect his relatives with the virus.
Nevertheless, the fever is no less dangerous, as it can lead to life-threatening symptoms in the affected person. The combination of the high body temperature and the effect of the virus on the blood components usually leads to serious circulation problems. Those who want to protect themselves from the virus must take prophylactic measures.
There is no vaccination. The use of anti-mosquito spray and mosquito nets are therefore the only effective measures to prevent illness. Whoever cares for a sick person or wants to visit him, is advised to pay attention to the environment.
On the one hand, mosquito protection should be applied when staying in endemic areas and on the other hand, care should be taken not to come into contact with blood products or objects contaminated with blood. Mediterranean fever is a genetic disease. It is characterized by recurrent fever attacks with accompanying symptoms such as joint or muscle pain.
Pathogens such as bacteria or viruses play no role here. The cause lies in a changed genetic make-up of the affected person. An infection is therefore impossible, since only “internal factors” lead to fever.
Rheumatic fever develops after an infection with streptococci. Here it is important to know that rheumatic fever does not arise from a renewed infection with the bacteria, but rather as a reaction to the infection that has occurred. The previously disease-causing bacteria are therefore usually not found here.
It is rather the lasting effect of the infection that leads to the fever. Because of the similarity of bacterial components and the body’s own characteristics, the body falsely starts an autoimmune reaction.This causes the fever and can also damage heart valves or the kidneys. Rhematic fever is not contagious.
Only the underlying infection of the upper airways by bacteria (streptococci) is contagious. This can be transmitted by a droplet infection or smear infection.
All articles in this series:
