Introduction to Viral Fever

Published on: 25th November 2025
Medically reviewed by: Dr. Ahmad Haitham Jamee
A woman with a fever checking her temperature with a thermometer.
The public in Abu Dhabi considers viral fever as a health issue that they have to live with for the time being; however, it is not a serious problem for them. The temperature switching, the presence of air-conditioning almost everywhere, and the daily movement of people in and out of Abu Dhabi are the main reasons for this situation of the community being more exposed during the day to these health interruptions. To be certain that the community will not lose its proper reaction in case the situation worsens, it is really necessary to have a thorough knowledge of the factors that caused the situation, the signs that may appear, and the ways to protect oneself.

Understanding Viral Fever

Viral fever is not a separate illness but a symptom of another viral infection. It results from the body’s response to a virus that has entered the bloodstream, thereby prompting the immune system to raise body temperature as a protective measure.
The infectious viruses may spread through the air (as in the case of influenza), surfaces that have been touched, or even through insect bites. The changing seasons in the UAE typically result in an increase in viral fever instances, predominantly during the winter months when people remain indoors in air-conditioned rooms which is a good environment for the transmission of viruses.

What Are the Symptoms of Viral Fever?

A man covered in a blanket checking his temperature with a thermometer
Knowing viral fever symptoms as they arise is important because it helps tell viral fever apart from bacterial infections or other illnesses. The signs that are generally present in viral fever are:
  • High body temperature that is persistent and exceeds 38°C
  • Headaches and body pains
  • Lethargy and feeling weak all over
  • Sore throat or cough
  • Shivering or sweating
  • Very light skin rash in some cases
  • Mucus-filled nose and sneezing
  • Losing fluids or not having much appetite
Typically, a viral fever will occur quickly, with a duration of two to seven days. The duration and intensity will depend on the virus and the body’s immune response.
If you were to have a viral fever, some symptoms may involve feeling extremely fatigued or having a quick rise or increase in your baseline temperature, and certainly, a consideration of symptoms to keep in mind would be to check about the importance of early intervention and the use of the same for ongoing recovery.

Causes and Types of Viral Fever

There are several viruses known to cause viral fever in UAE, ranging from seasonal respiratory viruses to vector-borne infections. Common causes include:
  1. Respiratory viruses – Influenza, adenovirus, and coronavirus variants often circulate during the UAE’s winter months.
  2. Enteric viruses – These spread through contaminated food and water, leading to fever with digestive upset.
  3. Vector-borne viruses – Though less common, mosquito-borne infections like dengue can also present as viral fever symptoms, and treatment may vary accordingly.
  4. Childhood viral infections – Measles, rubella, and chickenpox still occur occasionally in unvaccinated individuals, manifesting primarily as fever with rash.
In all cases, recognising the underlying cause of viral fever symptoms ensures that the right supportive care is given and that complications are prevented.

How Viral Fever Progresses?

Grasping the process of viral fever symptoms and treatment comes in handy for efficient management of the condition:
  • Incubation Phase: The virus comes into the body and starts to multiply without making any noise.
  • Prodromal Phase: First signs of the illness such as tiredness, throat pain, and low fever show up.
  • Fever Phase: Immune system’s struggle with the virus results in very high temperature, muscle pain, and other symptoms of viral fever.
  • Recovery Phase: The temperature decreases yet the feeling of fatigue may persist for a couple of more days.
During these phases, the three most important components of the treatment are: drinking water, sleeping, and managing temperature.

Home Remedies and Self-Care Tips

A woman wrapped in a blanket having soup as a home remedy for viral fever.
Professional care is not going to be replaced by home remedies, but it will be thanks to the latter that the treatment process is going to be made more pleasant and even quicker. Among the regional practices that Abu Dhabi residents can apply, the following are Hydration, Rest, Balanced Diet, Comfortable indoor temperature, Warm herbal teas, and Saltwater gargles:
  • Balanced Diet: An adequate balanced diet – enough nutrients and more importantly easy digestion – eg. khichdi or vegetable soup, or a lentil broth – will also assist your body and promote easy digestion.
  • Comfortable room temperature: Never set your AC at the lowest temperature; moderate cooling indoors will help the body not to get too tired.
  • Warm herbal teas: Ginger and honey tea, or turmeric milk, can be very comforting for the throat and also helpful in nasal decongestion.
  • Saltwater gargles: A very simple yet powerful sore throat treatment.
Such home remedies can help the condition of the viral fever patients if the doctor accompanies them, especially those in the UAE, where the symptoms are mild and stable.

Prevention: Staying Ahead of Viral Infections

It is still the case that prevention is the best method for controlling viral fever. Some examples of such preventive measures are: Hand washing with soap and water should be done regularly.
  • Keep away from persons showing symptoms of viral fever.
  • Indoors, there should be good air quality and proper ventilation.
  • Immunity can be improved by a balanced diet and adequate sleep.
  • The health care workers advise to monitor your vaccination schedule and get the required shots.
  • If the fever continues for over three days or becomes worse, contact the on-call doctor right away.
In Abu Dhabi, where air conditioning is used in both living and work spaces, the hygiene and air circulation measures would help very much in the reduction of virus transmission risk.

When to Seek Professional Help?

Knowing when to escalate care is vital. You should contact a healthcare professional or request a doctor on call if you experience:
  • Fever persisting beyond 72 hours
  • Severe headache, dizziness, or neck stiffness
  • Shortness of breath or chest pain
  • Persistent vomiting or dehydration
  • A rash accompanied by bleeding or bruising
A timely medical assessment ensures that your viral fever symptoms and treatment plan are accurate and effective.

First Response Medical Care Services – Expert Care at Your Doorstep

At First Response Healthcare, Abu Dhabi, we dearly hold the notion that health care should be available, fast, and trustworthy no matter where you are. The Emirate’s goal of top-notch, patient-centered entries has our support throughout.
With our doctor-on-call service, you can have that expert medical attention right in your home, hotel, or workplace in just 30 to 45 minutes. Our licensed physicians are sufficiently equipped to evaluate the disease, such as the viral fever, and give the right kind of care to make a certain recovery without the hassles of hospital visits.
You get the health care concerns straight to your door, which means fewer chances of getting infected, no more travel stress, and 24/7 availability of professional advice. Be it that the symptoms of the mild viral fever are being managed or continuous medical monitoring is needed, one is assured of the caring, precise, and expert medical staff at First Response Healthcare.
To schedule a consultation or learn more, visit our website

Conclusion

It is very important to know the symptoms and treatments of viral fever in order to keep yourself safe in the changing environment of Abu Dhabi. If you can identify the symptoms of viral fever, then practicing good preventive habits and being aware of when to get professional help, you will be able to control the situation in a good way.
We at First Response Healthcare are very much devoted to the UAE’s vision of making the community healthier through proper medical care at home. With our doctor-on-call unit, help from experts is always close, and your health and peace of mind are guaranteed at every stage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What are the symptoms of viral fever?

Viral fever bears most typical symptoms that consist of very high temperature, body ache, headache, sore throat, general tiredness, and being cold, and some may even report fever and chills. Furthermore, minor rashes, nasal congestion, or decreased appetite might be experienced by some people.

How long does viral fever last?

Viral fever cases in the UAE usually last for three to seven days. However, in case of continued fever or other symptoms beyond 72 hours, it is better to ask the doctor for a call to have a professional assessment.

How can I treat viral fever at home?

Home treatment for viral fever may include rest, drinking a lot of water, eating light meals, and regulating the room’s temperature to a pleasant one. Herbal teas and gargling with saltwater may also be beneficial in managing the discomfort.

Q. When is it necessary to go to the doctor for viral fever?

Seek medical attention immediately if your temperature goes beyond 39°C, lasts for more than three days, or is accompanied by severe headache, dehydration, coughing up blood, or the development of a rash. One of the doctors from First Response Medical Care Services will be able to come to your home and assess your situation.

Q. What are the measures to be taken to avoid viral fever?

One of the measures is washing hands frequently. Also, avoiding sick people, drinking plenty of water, and using proper air circulation inside the house, especially during the changing seasons in Abu Dhabi are effective in reducing the likelihood of the occurrence of the viral fever.

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