Defervescence (/diːfəˈvɛrsəns/) is a term used in medicine to describe the gradual decrease in body temperature after a fever. The spelling of this word can be broken down into three parts: "de-" meaning a decrease, "fever" referring to an elevated body temperature, and "-escence" indicating a process of gradual transformation. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word helps to clarify both its pronunciation and spelling, allowing for clear communication and understanding amongst medical professionals and patients alike.
Defervescence is a medical term that refers to the gradual decline in body temperature after a period of fever. Specifically, it is the process of subsiding or cooling down of a feverish condition in the body. This term is predominantly used in the context of infectious or inflammatory diseases where fever is a prominent symptom.
During the phase of defervescence, there is a gradual reduction in body temperature that occurs as the body's immune response successfully combats the underlying cause of the fever. This decline in temperature is usually accompanied by an improvement in the patient's overall condition, such as the relief of other symptoms like headache, muscle pain, or fatigue.
Defervescence signifies a positive progression in the course of the illness as it indicates that the body is effectively responding to the disease and initiating the processes necessary for recovery. The duration and speed of defervescence can vary depending on the severity and cause of the fever. In some cases, defervescence may occur rapidly over a short period of time, while in others it may take longer for the fever to subside.
Medical professionals closely monitor the defervescence phase as it provides valuable information about the effectiveness of the treatment and the overall prognosis of the patient.
Falling of an elevated temperature, abatement of fever.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "defervescence" has a medical origin and is derived from Latin.
The word comes from the Latin verb "defervescere", which can be divided into two parts: "de", meaning "down" or "from", and "fervescere", meaning "to grow hot". "Fervescere" is derived from the Latin noun "fervor", meaning "heat" or "fever".
In medical terms, "defervescence" refers to the process of a fever decreasing or subsiding, often indicating an improvement in a person's medical condition.