Psychogenic fever: A stress-related, psychosomatic condition that manifests itself in a high body temperature. It is caused by exposure to emotional events or to chronic stress. (Source: Taylor & Francis)
I missed the bus to the campus. So, I decided to walk. It’s usually a 20-minute walk but with the scorching sun and my fleeting emotions, it felt like an hour.
On arriving the campus, thanks to Covid19, the entrance procedures is stricter. An infrared thermometer measures one’s temperature. If it is above a certain threshold, additional measures will be enforced.
Apparently, mine was above the threshold and I was set aside for additional checks. My temperature was checked thrice and the values were: 38.3, 37.9 and 38.2. A thousand and one thoughts raced through my mind.
‘Ah, this must be Covid19’, I thought. ‘But, I don’t feel feverish, I don’t feel ill’.I was deep in my thoughts and barely heard the staff advising me to return home and rest.
How is it remotely possible for me to have a fever yet I feel 100% okay?
Fact is, it has been a tough week for me.It’s been a whirlwind of events. Ranging from disappointment, pain , goodbyes to deadlines. Little did I know that I would have a fever due to emotional induced stress.
Little is known about psychogenic fever except in academic research. It affects young women and their temperatures could get as high as 41 C when exposed to emotional events (T. Oka). It is also referred to as “functional hyperthermia”.
Since I didn’t feel ill, I returned home. I checked my temperature, it was still in the ranges of 38. After an hour of sleep, my temperature reduced to 36.9
I feel a bit worried about the temperature scare today.
