A fever is a body temperature that is higher than normal. It is not an illness rather it is part of your body`s defense against infection. Most bacteria and viruses that cause infections do well at the body`s normal temperature and i.e. 98.6 F. A slight fever can make it harder for the patients to survive. Fever also activates the body`s immune system.

Charaka has categorized fever into several varieties depending upon the vitiation of the three doshas, namely, vata, pitta, and kapha. There are various reasons for which fever gets higher. As for example the change of climate or seasons, the vitiation of the vital fluid blood, and other supplementary reasons are some of them.

Fevers are also classified according to their severity and duration. Ayurvedic teachers have specified the role of the Pancha karmas or five cleansing procedures for the various fevers and the stages at which they come to the notice of the physician.

Fever can also be associated with the following diseases:

Typhoid Fever
This is an acute illness with fever caused by infection with the Salmonella typhi bacteria contracted from contaminated water and food. The disease has a subtle onset characterized by fever, headache, constipation, malaise, chills, and myalgia i.e. muscle pain.

Meningitis Fever
Inflammation of the meninges, which is usually occurred due to a bacterial infection but sometimes also from viral, protozoan, or other unknown causes. The attack of this fever is usually rapid or acute, and if untreated, the disease can be fatal within a very short period of time. Some symptoms of this fever are rash, stiff neck, confusion, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, headache, and also coma.

Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is an acute mosquito- borne viral illness of sudden onset that usually follows a benign course with headache, fever, prostration, severe joint and muscle pain, swollen glands i.e. lymphadenopathy and rash. The presence of fever, rash, and headache along with other pains is particularly characteristic of dengue. Dengue fever is endemic throughout the tropics and subtropics.

Diphtheria Fever
Diphtheria is an acute infectious disease that may be caused by the bacillus Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Diphtheria can also be characterized by the production of a systemic toxin and the formation of a false membrane on the lining of the mucous membrane of the throat and other respiratory passages. It causes difficulty in breathing, and weakness. The bacterium usually enters through the tonsils, nose, or throat and multiplies there, forming a thick membrane that adheres to the tissues.

Sandfly Fever
This fever is an acute mild viral disease characterized by fever, malaise, eye pain, and headache occurring mainly during the warm weather in many parts of the world. It is caused by Phleboviruses and is transmitted by sandflies. Sandfly fever is also known as pappataci fever, phlebotomus fever, and three-day fever.

Mumps
Mumps is a comparatively mild, short-term viral infection of the salivary glands that usually occurs during childhood. Typically, mumps is characterized by a painful swelling of both cheek areas, although the person could have swelling on one side or no perceivable swelling at all. The salivary glands are also called the parotid glands. Mumps is also sometimes referred to as an inflammation of the parotid glands. The word mumps comes from an old English dialect, meaning lumps or bumps within the cheeks.

Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatic fever is an illness, which arises as a complication of untreated or inadequately treated strep throat infection. Rheumatic fever can seriously damage the valves of the heart.

Heat exhaustion and Heat Stroke
Heat exhaustion happens when the body gets too hot. It can be caused by exercise or hot weather. The patient may feel weak, dizzy or worried. Headache or a fast heartbeat can also be the symptoms. Dehydration and very little urine pass is seen in some cases. On the other hand heatstroke can happen when the body gets too hot, or it can happen after heat exhaustion. Heatstroke is much more serious than heat exhaustion. Heatstroke can kill someone. People with heatstroke may seem confused. They may have seizures or go into a coma. Most people with heatstroke also have a fever.

Chickenpox Fever
Chickenpox which is also called varicella is a common and extremely infectious childhood disease. The disease also affects adults on occasion. It produces an itchy, blistery rash that typically lasts about a week and is sometimes accompanied by a fever or other symptoms. A single attack of chickenpox almost always confers lifelong immunity against the disease.

Measles Fever
This is an acute and highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and a spreading skin rash. Measles is also sometimes known as rubeola. It can be complicated by ear infections, pneumonia, and encephalitis. All these can cause convulsions, mental retardation, and even death.

Bulbous Eruptions
Bulbous Eruptions is another type of fever. This is the one which accompanies eruptions, particularly bulbous eruptions. Ayurveda states that bulbous eruptions occurs due to the vitiation of the pitta and the blood.

Erysipelas
Erysipelas is an acute disease of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Erysipelas may be caused by a species of hemolytic streptococcus and marked by localized inflammation and fever. Erysipelas can also be characterized by a sharply demarcated, shiny red swelling, accompanied by high fever and a feeling of general illness. The affected area may be hot to touch. This disease is most common among the elderly, infants, and children.

Hectic fever
This is a fever or irritation and debility. This occurs at an advanced stage of exhausting disease or as in pulmonary consumption. Hectic fever may occur in certain severe forms of tuberculosis or septicemia. It is mild in intensity and appears usually in the evening. It ranges between 39°C and 40°C. There is also profuse sweating accompanied by extreme weakness and even prostration in this type of fever.

Malaria
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites from the Plasmodium family that can be transmitted by the sting of the Anopheles mosquito or by a contaminated needle or transfusion. Falciparum malaria is the most deadly type.

Black Water Fever
Blackwater fever is a complication of malaria characterized by intravascular haemolysis, haemoglobinuria and kidney failure. Blackwater fever is caused by heavy parasitization of red blood cells with Plasmodium falciparum. Plasmodium vivax may also cause the disease.

Kala- Azar
Kala-azar is also known as visceral leishmaniasis, Dum Dum Fever, and Black fever. This is a chronic and potentially fatal parasitic disease of the viscera i.e. the internal organs, particularly the liver, spleen, bone marrow and lymph nodes due to infection by the parasite called Leishmania donovani.

Filariasis
Filariasis is the name for a group of tropical diseases caused by various thread-like parasitic round worms and their larvae. The larvae transmit the disease to humans through a mosquito bite. Filariasis is characterized by fever, chills, headache, and skin lesions in the early stages and, if untreated, can progress to include gross enlargement of the limbs and genitalia in a condition called elephantiasis.