Fever with covid
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Fever in COVID-19: Prevalence and Characteristics
Prevalence of Fever in COVID-19 Patients
Fever is a common symptom in COVID-19 patients, but its prevalence varies significantly between adults and children. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 17,515 patients found that fever was present in 79.43% of adult COVID-19 patients and 45.86% of pediatric patients. Another meta-analysis reported a slightly higher prevalence of fever in adults at 85.6%. These findings indicate that while fever is a predominant symptom in adults, it is less common in children.
Fever Severity and Types
In adults, fever associated with COVID-19 can vary in severity. The same meta-analysis revealed that medium-grade fever (44.33%) was more common than low-grade (38.16%) and high-grade fever (14.71%). This suggests that while fever is a frequent symptom, its intensity can differ, with medium-grade fever being the most prevalent.
Fever in Mild to Moderate COVID-19 Cases
Interestingly, fever is not always a reliable indicator of COVID-19, especially in mild to moderate cases. A study conducted at Leipzig University Hospital found that less than a third of patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 exhibited fever (29%). This highlights the variability of fever as a symptom and suggests that relying solely on body temperature for COVID-19 diagnosis may be insufficient.
Duration and Progression of Fever
The duration of fever in COVID-19 patients can also vary. In a study of 249 patients in Shanghai, the median duration of fever was 10 days, but it extended to 31 days in patients who required intensive care. This indicates that the severity of the disease can influence the duration of fever, with more severe cases experiencing prolonged fever.
Fever in Pediatric COVID-19 Patients
Pediatric COVID-19 patients often present with different symptoms compared to adults. A study involving 36 children in Zhejiang, China, found that only 36% had fever, and among those, only 11% had a body temperature of 38.5°C or higher. Another meta-analysis of 5,829 pediatric patients reported that 51% had fever, which is significantly lower than the prevalence in adults. These findings suggest that fever is less common and often less severe in children with COVID-19.
Conclusion
Fever is a prevalent symptom in COVID-19, particularly among adults, but its presence and severity can vary widely. While medium-grade fever is most common in adults, children are less likely to exhibit fever, and when they do, it is often less severe. Additionally, fever is not a reliable indicator in mild to moderate cases, emphasizing the need for comprehensive diagnostic criteria beyond body temperature alone. Understanding these variations is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective management of COVID-19 across different age groups.
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