Noun
/mˈaʊntən ˈfiːvər/
Mountain fever refers to a type of fever that can occur in individuals who ascend to high altitudes too quickly, possibly due to altitude sickness. It is often characterized by symptoms such as headache, nausea, fatigue, and chills. In a broader context, the term may also refer to a variety of illnesses associated with mountainous regions.
This term is not exceedingly common in everyday language and is generally used in specific contexts, often related to travel, hiking, or altitude training. It sees more frequent use in written contexts like medical literature and travel guides rather than in casual oral conversation.
He developed mountain fever during his trek in the Himalayas.
(Él desarrolló fiebre de montaña durante su caminata en el Himalaya.)
After climbing for several hours, she was worried she might be suffering from mountain fever.
(Después de escalar durante varias horas, estaba preocupada de que pudiera estar sufriendo de fiebre de montaña.)
The guide warned us about the risks of mountain fever as we gained altitude.
(El guía nos advirtió sobre los riesgos de la fiebre de montaña a medida que ganábamos altura.)
Although "mountain fever" does not contain an expansive number of idiomatic expressions, the term can relate to the broader theme of "fever" in idioms, often used metaphorically to describe enthusiasm or obsession. Here are a few relevant idiomatic expressions incorporating "fever":
"Fever pitch" - Referring to a heightened state of excitement or activity.
The concert reached a fever pitch as the band took the stage.
(El concierto alcanzó un clímax de emoción cuando la banda subió al escenario.)
"Cabin fever" - A condition of restlessness or boredom arising from being confined in a small space.
After a week of snow, we all had a bad case of cabin fever.
(Después de una semana de nieve, todos teníamos un fuerte ataque de fiebre de encierro.)
"World Cup fever" - A term used to describe the excitement and anticipation surrounding the World Cup.
The city was buzzing with World Cup fever as fans prepared for the big match.
(La ciudad estaba llena de la fiebre de la Copa Mundial mientras los aficionados se preparaban para el gran partido.)
The term "mountain fever" combines the word "mountain," which has Old French and Latin roots (from "montaine" and "mons," respectively), meaning a large natural elevation of the earth's surface, with "fever," derived from the Latin "febris," referring to a rise in body temperature as a symptom of disease. The combined usage reflects both the environmental context (mountains) and the physiological response (fever) when exposed to high altitudes.
Synonyms: altitude sickness, acute mountain sickness (AMS), high-altitude illness
Antonyms: wellness, health, bodily comfort