Overview

Viral fever is a common condition where an elevated body temperature (fever) is caused by a viral infection. It's not a disease itself, but rather a symptom of the body's immune system fighting off a virus. While most viral fevers are mild and self-limiting, some can be more severe.

Causes

• Respiratory Viruses -These include influenza (flu), rhinovirus (common cold), adenovirus, and coronavirus (including COVID-19). They often spread through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. 

• Mosquito-borne Viruses - Dengue and chikungunya viruses are transmitted through mosquito bites. 

• Enteroviruses -  gastrointestinal infections, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, and viral meningitis, all of which may include fever as a symptom. 

Symptoms

• Fever: Elevated body temperature, often above 100.4°F (38°C), may be accompanied by chills and sweating. 

• Fatigue: Feeling tired and weak, even without strenuous activity. 

• Body Aches: Muscle and joint pain, which can be generalised or localised. 

• Headache: Pain in the head, which can be mild to severe. 

• Respiratory Symptoms: Cough, sore throat, runny nose, or nasal congestion, especially with respiratory viruses. 

• Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or abdominal pain. 

• Loss of Appetite: Decreased interest in food. 

• Skin Rash: Some viral infections can cause skin rashes. 

• Chills and Shivering: Alternating feelings of hot and cold. 

• Red Eyes or Eye Pain: Some viruses can cause eye irritation or pain. 

Ayurvedic View

Vata kapha jwara - due to factors like following nidana(causes),adhyashana(eating before previoues food has been digested),virudha ahara(consuming incompatible food )etc, diva swapana(day sleep),abhishyandi (food that blocks channel etc, results in agni mandhya(low digestive power )which also influences dosha, namely vata,kapha which displace agni(digestive fire) from koshta(digestive sysyem)thus jeerna shakthi(digestion, absorption) is reduced,swedavaha srotas is blocked(no sweating,)there is internal heat raised in shakhas(agni not in its place)causing viral fever. Ayurveda's way of approach is to improve agni(metabolism), reduce symptoms by bringing agni back to its sthana(aamashaya), place, doshas back to prakruta avastha(balance state),shareera lagutha(feeling light) by ayurvedic panchakarma treatment and medicines.