What Causes High Body Temperature?

Posted on Sun, 6 Mar 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 6 Mar 2016 Answered on

Mon, 16 May 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : yes, my 84 year-old brother lives in Tarvin, a village near Chester in England. He recently came down with a very high temperature (41C) and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Eight days later, he was released with a normal temperature and is now back home and, while weak, feels much better.

My question is what could cause such a very high temperature -- he's not too good at passing on the results of all the tests conducted on him?

Thankyou.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome

Your concern is appreciated.

High grade fever can be due to many reasons and many pathogens can be the cause but assosiated symptoms are needed to reach a conclusion.
Respiratory track infection
Gastrointestinal track infections , genitoutinary track infections , biliary track infection, abcess any where in the body, cellulitis septicemia
Infection any where in the body. Parasites affecting the body can also cause it. Disease having inflammation assosiated with it all causes fever like in some autoimmune diseases. Some cancers have pyrexia assosiated with it. Hyperthermia can result in high body temperature. Hyperthyroidis or thyroid strom may be the cause. Some Drugs like amphetamines and cocain cause it too.

The results of the following investigations would make it more clear about the cause.
Full blood counts differential blood counts TFTs urine R/ E
Blood culture urine culture
Chest X ray stool r/e

let me know if you have any query

Please consult your doctor before taking any further course of action

Wishing you best of health

Hope this will help

Thanks

Dr M.S Khalil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar