You Need to Know About Fever

Overview Fever is also known as hyperthermia, pyrexia, or elevated temperature. It describes a body temperature that’s higher than normal. Fever can affect children and adults.

A short-term increase in body temperature can help your body fight off illness. However, a severe fever can be a symptom of a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. What to look for Recognizing a fever can enable you to get treatment and proper monitoring for it. Normal body temperature is typically around 98.6°F (37°C). However, the normal body temperature for each person can vary slightly. Normal body temperature may also fluctuate depending on the time of day. It tends to be lower in the morning and higher in the late afternoon and evening. Other factors, such as your menstrual cycle or intense exercise, can also affect body temperature. To check you or your child’s temperature, you can use an oral, rectal, or axillary thermometer. An oral thermometer should be placed under the tongue for three minutes. Shop for oral thermometers. You may also use an oral thermometer for an axillary, or armpit, reading. Simply place the thermometer in the armpit and cross your arms or your child’s arms over the chest. Wait four to five minutes before removing the thermometer. A rectal thermometer may be used for measuring body temperature in infants. To do this: Place a small amount of petroleum jelly on the bulb. Lay your baby on their stomach and gently insert the thermometer about 1 inch into their rectum. Hold the bulb and your baby still for at least three minutes. Find a selection of rectal thermometers online. In general, a baby has a fever when their body temperature exceeds 100.4°F (38°C). A child has a fever when their temperature exceeds 99.5°F (37.5°C). An adult has a fever when their temperature exceeds 99–99.5°F (37.2–37.5°C). What usually causes a fever? Fever occurs when a part of the brain called the hypothalamus shifts the set point of your normal body temperature upward. When this happens, you may feel chilled and add layers of clothing, or you may start shivering to generate more body heat. This eventually results in a higher body temperature. There are numerous different conditions that can trigger a fever. Some possible causes include: infections, including the flu and pneumonia some immunizations, such as diphtheria or tetanus (in children) teething (in infants) some inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Crohn’s disease blood clots extreme sunburn food poisoning some medications, including antibiotics Depending on the cause of the fever, additional symptoms may include: sweating shivering headache muscle aches loss of appetite dehydration general weakness How to treat a fever at home Care for a fever depends on its severity. A low-grade fever with no other symptoms doesn’t typically require medical treatment. Drinking fluids and resting in bed are usually enough to fight off a fever. When a fever is accompanied by mild symptoms, such as general discomfort or dehydration, it can be helpful to treat elevated body temperature by: making sure the room temperature where the person is resting is comfortable taking a regular bath or a sponge bath using lukewarm water taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) drinking plenty of fluids Purchase acetaminophen or ibuprofen online. When to see a doctor about a fever A mild fever can typically be treated at home. In some cases, however, a fever can be a symptom of a serious medical condition that requires prompt treatment. You should take your infant to a doctor if they’re: younger than 3 months old and have a temperature exceeding 100.4°F (38°C) between 3 and 6 months old, have a temperature over 102°F (38.9°C), and seem unusually irritable, lethargic, or uncomfortable between 6 and 24 months old and have a temperature higher than 102°F (38.9°C) that lasts longer than one day You should take your child to see a doctor if they: have a body temperature exceeding 102.2°F (39°C) have had a fever for more than three days make poor eye contact with you seem restless or irritable have recently had one or more immunizations have a serious medical illness or a compromised immune system have recently been in a developing country You should call your doctor if you: have a body temperature exceeding 103°F (39.4°C) have had a fever for more than three days have a serious medical illness or a compromised immune system have recently been in a developing country You or your child should also see a doctor as soon as possible if a fever is accompanied by any of the following symptoms: a severe headache throat swelling a skin rash, especially if the rash gets worse sensitivity to bright light a stiff neck and neck pain persistent vomiting listlessness or irritability abdominal pain pain when urinating muscle weakness trouble breathing or chest pain confusion Your doctor will probably perform a physical examination and medical tests. This will help them determine the cause of the fever and an effective course of treatment. When is a fever a medical emergency? Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 if you or your child is experiencing any of the following: confusion an inability to walk trouble breathing chest pain seizures hallucinations inconsolable crying (in children) How can a fever be prevented? Limiting exposure to infectious agents is one of the best ways to prevent a fever. Infectious agents often cause body temperature to rise. Here are some tips that can help reduce your exposure: Wash your hands often, especially before eating, after using the toilet, and after being around large numbers of people. Show your children how to wash their hands properly. Instruct them to cover both the front and back of each hand with soap and rinse thoroughly under warm water. Carry hand sanitizer or antibacterial wipes with you. They can come in handy when you don’t have access to soap and water. Find hand sanitizers and antibacterial wipes online. Avoid touching your nose, mouth, or eyes. Doing so makes it easier for viruses and bacteria to enter your body and cause infection. Cover your mouth when you cough and your nose when you sneeze. Teach your children to do the same. Avoid sharing cups, glasses, and eating utensils with other people. How to break a fever If you or someone you’re caring for has a fever, follow these steps to break the fever: Take your temperature and assess your symptoms. If your temperature runs 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, you have a fever. Stay in bed and rest. Keep hydrated. Drinking water, iced tea, or very diluted juice to replenish fluids lost through sweating. But if keeping liquids down is difficult, suck on ice chips. Take over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen to reduce fever. Note the proper dosage, and don’t them use alongside other fever-reducing medications. You shouldn’t give aspirin to your baby or child without consulting your doctor. Infants under 6 months of age shouldn’t be given ibuprofen. Stay cool. Remove extra layers of clothing and blankets, unless you have the chills. Take tepid baths or using cold compresses to make you more comfortable. Cold baths, ice cube baths, or alcohol baths or rubs can be dangerous and should be avoided. But no matter what the number on the thermometer reads, if you have any concerns consult your doctor. Running a fever is the body’s response to fighting infections caused by viruses or bacteria. Fevers can also result from sunburn or from getting immunizations. Anyone can get a fever, regardless of age. People who have compromised immune systems may tend to have fevers more often than others do. To learn about specific treatment guidelines by age and understand your symptoms continue reading. How to assess the situation A healthy adult with a slight fever may feel like they’ve been hit with a Mack truck, but a baby with a high fever may sometimes feel pretty comfortable. The reverse of both scenarios can also occur. Fevers aren’t one-size-fits-all, and neither are their symptoms. Your overall comfort level and symptoms can help you decide how to treat a fever. If you have a fever, you may experience the following symptoms: feeling weak or lightheaded loss of appetite headache muscle aches sweating chills nausea vomiting rash If a rash accompanies your fever, you should consult with your doctor. It’s important that your doctor determines the root cause of the rash. Other symptoms, such as nausea or vomiting, may resolve more quickly with medical attention. If your fever is over 103°F (39.4°C), you should seek immediate medical attention. This is especially true if you’re experiencing confusion, hallucinations, or convulsions. Temperature taking 101 Most people have a baseline temperature of 98.6°F (37°C), although some people have a baseline that’s slightly higher or lower. Daily temperature fluctuations are also normal. Different types of thermometers can yield different results. You’re considered to be running a fever if an oral, rectal, ear, or temporal artery (forehead) thermometer registers 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. If you use an axillary (armpit) thermometer, the temperature reading will be around 1°F or 1°C lower, so anything over 99.4°F (37°C) would constitute a fever. Many pediatricians recommend using rectal thermometers for infants and babies. Discuss with your doctor which type of thermometer to use. You should also be sure to let them know what kind of thermometer you used to record your child’s temperature. When to see a doctor How and when you should treat a fever is generally determined by your age. If left untreated, fever can lead to serious complications in young children, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems. Infants and toddlers Infants up to 3 months old should be seen by a doctor if they have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or above. They should still see a doctor even if there are no other symptoms present. Babies 3 to 6 months old may not require treatment for fevers up to 102°F (38.9°C). If your baby has other symptoms, or their fever goes above 102°F (38.9°C), you should call your doctor. Children ages 6 months to 2 years old who have temperatures at or above 102°F (38.9°C) may take OTC medications under a doctor’s supervision. Let your doctor know if the fever persists for more than a day, worsens, or doesn’t come down with medication. Young children and adolescents Children ages 2 to 17 years old generally don’t need medication to reduce fevers under 102°F (38.9°C). They may benefit from medication if they’re experiencing symptoms such as irritability or muscle aches. If their fever goes above 102°F (38.9°C), medication may be used to bring it down. If your child is very uncomfortable, or if their fever persists for more than three days, you should consult with your doctor. Adults Adults 18 and over typically don’t need medication for a fever under 102°F (38.9°C). Fevers above that number may be reduced by medication. If your fever goes above 103°F (39.4°C) or doesn’t respond to treatment, a call to the doctor is warranted. Adults with a fever and other symptoms, such as a stiff neck, severe pain anywhere in the body, or shortness of breath, should seek immediate medical attention. Fever in adults over age 65 doesn’t automatically require special treatment, though you should be on the lookout for symptoms such as shortness of breath or confusion. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, you should seek immediate medical support. You should also consult with your doctor if your fever goes above 102°F (38.9°C) or doesn’t come down within two days. You can try OTC medications, but you should be sure they won’t conflict with any other medications you’re taking. Other guidelines If you have a compromised immune system, you should seek a doctor’s care. A compromised immune system is common in people that have HIV, cancer, or autoimmune diseases. Fever is often a sign of infection. Sometimes, these infections are fast moving or hard to treat. So if you have a compromised immune system, getting immediate medical support for fever important. What you can do now Running a fever is usually nothing to worry about. It’s important to understand the guidelines for treating fever, especially for young children, older adults, and people with a compromised immune system. If you or someone you’re caring for has a fever, you should: Check the age guidelines. Is it safe to treat this fever at home, or should you see a doctor? Stay hydrated. Everyone can benefit from added electrolytes or water. Keep track of the duration. Regardless of your age, if your fever hasn’t let up in about two days, you should seek medical attention. If you’re ever unsure of how to handle a fever, call your doctor. They can work with you to determine the best course of action.