What is the medical term for fever?

The medical term for fever is "pyrexia." This term is used to describe an elevated body temperature, which is usually a response to an infection, inflammation, or other health conditions. Pyrexia indicates that the body's thermoregulatory system is actively working to combat pathogens or other factors that may be affecting health.

Hyperthermia refers to an abnormal increase in body temperature due to the body's inability to dissipate heat, typically from external factors such as extreme heat exposure. Hypothermia, conversely, involves a dangerously low body temperature, often due to prolonged exposure to cold conditions. The term “febrile” describes a general state of having a fever but is not the specific medical term for fever itself. Thus, pyrexia is the most accurate and widely accepted term in medical settings to define a fever or elevated body temperature.