what causes viral fever - #20852
I am really worried about my son. He’s got this fever that's been going on for a few days now and I can't help but think about what causes viral fever. It started about 3 days ago with him complaining of a headache and some body aches. At first, I thought it was just a little cold or something but then the fever kicked in and hit like a truck. 102°F at night! I took him to the pediatrician, who said it might be viral but didn’t run any major tests. They told me viral fever is usually self-limiting, but I can't shake off the worry. I mean, what causes viral fever to get this bad? He’s had mild fevers before, but this one feels different. He also seems fatigued and just lays around most of the day. I’ve been giving him fluids and he’s taking acetaminophen for the fever, but I keep wondering, what causes viral fever like this? Are there specific viruses we should be looking for? Should I be seeing a specialist, or is it normal for viral fever to hang around this long? I'm just trying to keep my cool, but it’s hard not to stress over it!
100% Anonymously
No sign-up needed.

Doctors' responses
Viral fevers are generally caused by different types of viruses, and they’re a very common reason for fever in children. The term “viral fever” is kinda broad—it can be triggered by any number of viruses including influenza, adenovirus, or even some enteroviruses, among others. Most of the time, viral fevers are indeed self-limiting, meaning they go away on their own as your son’s immune system fights off the virus. In terms of symptoms like headaches, body aches, and fatigue, these are fairly typical as the body works to combat the infection. What’s happening is that his immune response is generating the fever and other symptoms, which is a sign his body is really trying to get rid of that virus.
While it’s not uncommon for a viral illness to last a week, even up to 10 days, there are some considerations. It’s usually when fever persists beyond a week or new symptoms develop that getting additional medical consultation might be warranted. Meanwhile, keep up with fluids and acetaminophen as you’re doing to manage fever and disomfort. If symptoms get worse, like difficulty breathing, persistent vomiting, a rash that doesn’t fade, or if he seems unusually drowsy or unresponsive, it would be wise to go back to your pediatrician or even seek emergency care. Specialists aren’t typically needed for common viral infections, unless there’s suspicion of more severe viral infection or if specific complications arise. Overall, just monitor symptoms and maintain supportive care. If anything seems out of the norm or makes you uncomfortable, never hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider for further advice.
100% Anonymously
Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential. No sign-up needed.
About our doctors
Only qualified doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.