What is a Nervous Fever?
A "nervous fever" isn't a formally recognized medical term in modern medicine. However, historical and contextual understanding reveals several possible interpretations:
This interpretation aligns with the provided references which mention psychogenic fever. Psychogenic fever is a psychosomatic condition where stress and emotional factors trigger a fever. This is particularly observed in young women. The fever's intensity varies; some experience extremely high temperatures (up to 41°C), while others exhibit persistently elevated, low-grade temperatures (37–38°C) during chronic stress. Source: Psychogenic fever: how psychological stress affects body ...
- Key characteristics: Stress-induced, psychosomatic, varying fever intensity.
- Commonly affects: Young women.
2. Fever Associated with Neurological Conditions
Several conditions involving the central nervous system can present with fever. Lyme disease, for example, can cause Lyme meningitis, leading to fever, headache, and light sensitivity. Additionally, other neurological diseases or disorders following infections like dengue fever, or inflammatory conditions such as Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) may present with fever as a symptom. Sources: Clinical Care and Treatment of Neurologic Lyme Disease | Lyme ..., Neurological or Psychiatric Disorders After Dengue Fever ..., Inflammatory/demyelinating central nervous system involvement in ...]
- Key characteristics: Fever as a symptom alongside neurological manifestations.
- Causes: Various infections (Lyme disease, dengue fever), inflammatory conditions (FMF), etc.
3. Historical Context: "Nervous Fever" in the 18th Century
The provided link mentions "nervous fever" in an 18th-century context, characterizing it primarily by "a total want of strength." This suggests a broader, less specific use of the term, possibly encompassing various debilitating illnesses with fatigue as a prominent symptom. Source: nervous fever, which confined me for several months. The major symptom of a nervous fever in the eighteenth century is a total want of strength.
- Key characteristics (18th century): Debilitating illness, prominent weakness/fatigue.
- Modern equivalent: Difficult to pinpoint precisely due to limited information.
It's important to consult a medical professional for any fever or illness, as the underlying cause needs proper diagnosis and treatment.
