What should you know about psychogenic fever?

Stress can affect the nervous system and change how the body regulates heat. Some people notice warmth, flushing, sweating, tiredness, headache or a fast heartbeat during intense worry, conflict or emotional strain. A thermometer reading helps distinguish a measured temperature from a feeling of heat.

A fever can also occur with conditions such as Acute Bronchitis, Brucellosis, Cellulitis, Chickenpox, Common Cold or COVID-19. The pattern, associated symptoms, medicines, travel and exposure history help a clinician decide what needs checking.

Measure your temperature with the same reliable thermometer and record when it rises, what was happening beforehand, and any symptoms such as cough, sore throat, rash, urinary discomfort or diarrhoea. Rest, drink fluids and use light clothing if you feel overheated. Do not assume stress is the cause if the temperature persists or keeps returning.

Arrange a GP consultation when episodes recur, interfere with daily life, or come with unexplained weight change, night sweats or ongoing fatigue. A clinician may examine you and decide whether tests are appropriate.

Seek urgent medical help for confusion, severe weakness, trouble breathing, a stiff neck, a seizure, fainting, a widespread purple or blistering rash, or inability to keep fluids down. Prompt assessment is also sensible for a high or persistent temperature, especially in a baby, an older adult, pregnancy, or someone with reduced immunity.

Could an infection, medicine, hormone problem or another condition explain my readings? What temperature pattern should I record? Which symptoms mean I should seek urgent help? Would support for stress or anxiety be useful alongside the medical assessment?