ANSWER
Examining Fever in Light of Matthew 8:14–15
Reasons for Fever
An high body temperature, or fever, is a symptom that can be caused by a number of things, such as:
Infections can be parasitic (like malaria), bacterial (like pneumonia), or viral (like influenza).
Inflammatory Disorders: autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis.
Non-Infectious Causes: Heat exhaustion, cancer, or drug responses.
Cause in This Situation: Given that fever was a typical sign of illnesses in the biblical era, Peter’s mother-in-law was most likely afflicted by an infectious disease. Since trauma or chronic illness are not included in the description of her illness, an acute infection—possibly bacterial or viral—seems likely.
Fever Pathophysiology Molecular Mechanisms:
Usually, fever is a reaction to inflammation or infection.
This process is triggered by pyrogens, which are chemicals that cause fevers:
The immune system is stimulated by exogenous pyrogens, such as bacterial toxins.
Endogenous Pyrogens: In reaction to infection or inflammation, immune cells release cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).
By acting on the preoptic region of the hypothalamus, these pyrogens cause prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) to be produced, raising the hypothalamic set-point for body temperature.
Positive Impact of Fever:
Enhanced Immune Response: White blood cell synthesis and immune cell activity are accelerated by high temperatures.
Stops the Growth of Pathogens: At warmer temperatures, many bacteria and viruses reproduce less effectively.
Negative Impacts of Fever:
Tissue Damage: Cellular damage may result from an extended high fever.
Increased metabolic activity and insensible water loss are the causes of dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
Neurological Risks: Encephalopathy or febrile seizures may result from extremely high fevers (>104°F or 40°C).
Jesus’ Method for Healing Conversation
Jesus had a compassionate and straightforward approach to the patient. Without using words, his touch conveyed empathy and healing, highlighting the significant influence of nonverbal cues and physical presence in caring.
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Empathy & Compassion: Developing a therapeutic alliance and earning patients’ trust.
Touch as Comfort: When verbal communication may not be enough, appropriate therapeutic touch can reassure and express empathy.
Holistic care includes treating mental and spiritual health in addition to physical illnesses.
Utilization in Nursing Practice
We can follow Jesus’ example as nurses by implementing the following:
Active listening is the ability to comprehend patients’ worries and react to them with empathy.
Therapeutic touch is the use of suitable touch to soothe patients, particularly those who are distressed.
Treating a person’s emotional, social, and spiritual needs in addition to their physical problems is known as holistic care.
Empathy and Presence: To strengthen the therapeutic alliance, be totally present when interacting with patients.
By incorporating these ideas, nurses may provide a therapeutic setting that builds trust and improves the patient’s overall care experience.
QUESTION
Matthew 8
14 Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. 15 So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.(NKJV)
14 When Jesus arrived at Peter’s house, Peter’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. 15 But when Jesus touched her hand, the fever left her. Then she got up and prepared a meal for him. (NLT)
Given the above-mentioned data regarding this case, try to briefly answer the following questions:
- What are some different causes of “fever” (low-grade fever/ high fever)? What could be the cause in this particular case? Why?
- Discuss the pathophysiology of “fever”:
- the molecular mechanisms of fever in inflammation and infection
- the beneficial effects of fever
- the detrimental effects of fever
- Identify the way Jesus dealt with this patient as related to therapeutic communication. How would you consider making use of this in your nursing practice?