Fever is the first weapon in the arsenal used when foreign substances invade a body. Chemicals released by the foreign substances stimulate the hypothalamus to increase the body temperature. The hypothalamus is the "thermostat" of the body. The hypothalamus can raise or lower body temperature through chemical signals to other systems to make the changes necessary. A fever is the response to foreign substances, bacteria or viruses in the body. Fever has benefits.

Pontiac Fever is a flu-like illness caused by the same bacterium as Legionnaire's disease. It is self-limiting (people get well on their own in a few days) and no one knows why some infections manifest as the one disease and some as the other.

Fever Blisters, also called Cold Sores, are blisters filled with fluid and usually erupt on the lips or between lips and nose, outside the mouth, as opposed to canker sores that occur inside the mouth. Fever blisters occur within hours and are very painful, lasting up to 10 days. Fever blisters are often referred to as Herpes. Herpes is a viral infection. Open herpes blisters can spread from person to person.

Hay fever” was named because of nasal symptoms developing during hay season, but most nasal allergies are called “hay fever.” “Hay fever” occurs most frequently during the spring, summer or fall when trees, grasses and weeds produce pollen. One of the principal offenders is the ragweed plant which produces pollen from late summer until frost.

Fever is a core body temperature above 100.5 degrees. Body temperature varies over the course of a day between 97 and 100.4 degrees. Note: The information provided in this material is intended to provide readers with accurate and timely information. It is not intended to substitute for information and personal medical advice, which you need to obtain directly from your doctors.

If a person carries the herpes virus, the virus can break out any time, since it is a dormant virus. However, certain situations in our lives can favor the outbreak of the virus. One thing is for sure, once infected with the virus, we carry it throughout our life in our bodies. One can infect other people too. Some people are more prone to getting the virus than other. Following is a list that cause break outs with most viral infections, no cure has been found yet.

Valley Fever is the common name for the parasitic fungal disease coccidioidomycosis. Updated statistics show that Valley Fever causes symptoms in over half of the people who are infected (Cole GT, Xue JM, Okeke CN, Tarcha EJ, Basrur V, Schaller RA, Herr RA, Yu JJ, Hung CY. A vaccine against coccidioidomycosis is justified and attainable. Med Mycol. 2004 Jun;42(3):189-216).

First, try to measure your body temperature with a thermometer to check if (>37oC) fever is present. If you have a fever, you should see a doctor. You are advised to stay away from class or work. If the temperature does not come down even after medication, you should quickly return to your doctor for further consultation. In the event that you have chosen to use a doctor outside the University, it is still a responsible act to report your case to the department head.

High fevers are more common in children than in adults, but will usually respond to Tylenol or Motrin. A lukewarm bath may also be used if the temperature does not go down. Much more important than the height of the temperature, though, is how the child is acting. (Treat the child, not the fever). Even if the fever is not very high, but the child is lethargic or "out of it", this is a cause for concern.

Two common infections in the mouth are canker sores and fever blisters, also called cold sores or herpes. Often people do not make a difference between them; however it is important to know what has erupted in or around the mouth in order to treat it right. Fever blisters and canker sores have different causes.

Any person or mammal can contract Valley Fever, regardless of age or health. It has been an epidemic in humans for years. All it takes is inhaling one spore.

The Valley Fever Vaccine Project and Dr. Cole at the UTSA are each working on vaccines and have been for many years. However, they are facing budgetary difficulties. Find out how to donate to them through our Links Page.

Avoid going to any endemic region. However, if you live in or visit an endemic area to Coccidioides sp., read our Dawn To Dusk Page to see what you can do to recognize the danger signs. Sometimes fungi like C. immitis and C. posadasii can rest on inanimate objects like clothing, pottery, blankets, packing material, or even in the soil of potted plants, etc. and these products could be shipped elsewhere with the biohazard intact.