The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Intermittent fever that worsens upon exertion can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like intermittent fever that worsens upon exertion here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here intermittent fever that worsens upon exertion is often associated with spontaneous sweating, aversion to cold and thirst for warm drinks in the pattern “Qi Deficiency Fever”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of intermittent fever that worsens upon exertion we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Qi Deficiency Fever, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause intermittent fever that worsens upon exertion
In Chinese Medicine intermittent fever that worsens upon exertion is a symptom for the pattern "Qi Deficiency Fever". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) is the king ingredient for Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, a formula used for Qi Deficiency Fever
Qi Deficiency Fever
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen
In addition to intermittent fever that worsens upon exertion, other symptoms associated with Qi Deficiency Fever include spontaneous sweating, aversion to cold and thirst for warm drinks.
Qi Deficiency Fever is often treated with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Milkvetch Roots - Huang Qi - as a key herb). Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify qi", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)".
A herbal formula that might help with intermittent fever that worsens upon exertion
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Source date: 1247
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner). Raises the Yang. Detoxifies. Lifts what has sunken.
Why might Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang help with intermittent fever that worsens upon exertion?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi Deficiency Fever' of which intermittent fever that worsens upon exertion is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Qi Deficiency Fever include spontaneous sweating, aversion to cold and thirst for warm drinks.
Milkvetch root might help with intermittent fever that worsens upon exertion
Why might Milkvetch Root (Huang Qi) help with intermittent fever that worsens upon exertion?
Because it is a key herb in Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Qi Deficiency Fever' (a pattern with intermittent fever that worsens upon exertion as a symptom)
Milkvetch Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Wei Qi and stops perspiration. Tonifies the Spleen Qi and the Yang Qi of the Earth Element. Tonifies the Qi and Blood. Expels pus and assists in the healing of wounds. Helps to regulate water metabolism in the body and reduce edema.
Other symptoms often associated with intermittent fever that worsens upon exertion
Dizziness Unsteadiness Blurred vision Deafness Tinnitus Shortness of breath Weak voice Pale complexion Poor appetite Loose stools