Hectic fever

Hectic fever (lat. Febris hectica, syn.: febris enectica, febris incerta) is an acute febrile disease of unknown etiology (infectious or non-infectious origin) with high body temperature, which is characterized by rapid and irregular fluctuations in body temperature (most often an increase every 3– 4 hours), intense sweating.

The name “hectic fever” dates back to the era of the ancient Roman legionnaires (from the Latin hicta - ruined). The term was proposed by Hippocrates in the 5th century BC. e. to denote “fever”, accompanied by increased sweating. Under the name “debilitating” (in Esipova’s translation), this condition was described by Thomas Sydenham in the 17th century. Currently, researchers rarely turn to the history of the term; most often it is called “indeterminate fever”, or f-m incoherent. According to S.N. Shtygol, the appearance of this term is due to the large polymorphism of the symptoms of the disease. It is often compared to a “malignant form” of malaria: the main difference between these diseases is considered to be the absence of attacks of chills and adynamia in Hectic f. Other researchers believe that “symptoms of fever that do not correspond to its clinical forms can be divided into two groups:

- Qualitative, the presence of which, along with the deterioration of the patient’s general condition, serves as an indicator of a complicated course. This is a high body temperature of more than 40°C in combination with hyperemia of the skin and mucous membranes, pronounced tachycardia and hypotension or moderate tachycardia or bradycardia, and bradypnea, low blood pressure and leukocyte levels (leukopenia

Hectic fever is a fever in which the body temperature rises above 38 ℃ without any flu or cold symptoms. The fever is called hectic because it can last up to several days. The development of this disease is influenced by various factors. In particular, the temperature is high, usually between 41°C and 42°C, and persists throughout the day. This may cause a wet cough, nasal congestion and severe fatigue. Reducing this temperature is not recommended, especially for those who do not have chronic diseases. But if there is a suspicion of chills, then you should not lower the temperature to 39°C.