3. Persistent Fever: A Heat that Doesn’t Cool
Fever is a natural response of the body to infection, but a persistent fever in a child that lacks an obvious cause is another hallmark sign of NHL. In these cases, we’re talking about a fever that doesn’t break—a fever that holds on, despite best efforts with common remedies.
This kind of fever isn’t the usual, short-lived elevation in body temperature that follows a cold or a viral infection. It’s a fever that is recurrent or stays elevated over several days or even weeks. Such a persistent fever can be draining for the child, leading to additional symptoms such as fatigue and irritability.
While it’s not uncommon for children to develop fevers, especially during cold and flu season, what sets the fever associated with NHL apart is its stubborn nature. It doesn’t seem to respond well to typical fever-reducing medications and doesn’t seem linked to any common illness.
When a child has a prolonged, unexplained fever, it signals that the body is fighting something but what that something is may not be immediately clear. This is when further medical tests and evaluations, as directed by a healthcare professional, become paramount. Time is of the essence in these situations—acting swiftly can make all the difference in diagnosis and treatment. (3)
