Fever

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A fever is when your body temperature rises higher than normal. A fever itself isn’t an illness. Rather, it’s a symptom of a wide range of health conditions. When your body temperature rises a few degrees above normal, it can be a sign that your immune system has been activated, often to fight an infection. It can also be a side effect of some medications and vaccinations.

 considered a fever

Common knowledge states that a “normal” body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius). But your baseline body temperature may vary by a degree or more. It also fluctuates. It’s typically lower in the morning and higher in the evening. It’s higher during certain points of your menstrual cycle and when you’re exercising.

Infants and young children normally have slightly higher body temperatures than older children and adults. So infants and younger children have slightly higher fever temperatures.

There are no strict guidelines for what temperature is a fever, because body temperature varies by person, time of day and method of measurement. But healthcare providers most often say a fever temperature is 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C) when measured orally (by mouth).

Rectal and ear thermometers typically measure temperatures at about 1.0 degrees F (0.6 degrees C) higher than oral thermometers. Skin thermometers (such as forehead thermometers) typically measure temperatures at about 1.0 degrees F (0.6 degrees C) lower than oral thermometers.

low-grade fever?

A low-grade fever means a body temperature slightly above normal. This type of fever can be a sign your immune system has been mildly activated. There’s no standard low-grade fever range. But many healthcare providers consider a body temperature between 99.5 degrees F (37.5 degrees C) and 100.3 degrees F (38.3 degrees C) to be a low-grade fever.

Fever symptoms

In addition to an elevated temperature, you may experience the following symptoms:

  • Chills, feeling cold, shivering and shaking.
  • Body aches and headaches.
  • Fatigue (tiredness).
  • On and off or constant sweating.
  • Flushed complexion or hot skin.
  • Faster heart beats.

Additional fever symptoms in babies and children may include:

  • Lack of appetite — not eating and drinking well.
  • Earache or pulling at their ears.
  • High-pitched crying.
  • Fussiness.
  • Paleness or flushness.
  • Excessive thirst.
  • Decreased urination.

The most common causes of Fever

A fever has many causes and can be a symptom of almost any illness. Common conditions that cause fever include:

  • Bacterial infections.
  • Viral infections such as influenza or COVID-19.
  • Gastrointestinal (GI) infections.
  • Urinary tract infections.
  • Skin infections.
Allergies can cause cold-like symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes, but they typically don’t cause fever. Despite its name, hay fever (also called allergic rhinitis) doesn’t cause fever.

You can take your temperature in several different parts of your body. The most common site is your mouth (oral temperature). Other sites include your ear (tympanic membrane), forehead (temporal artery) and armpit (axillary). The most accurate site is the rectum, and the least accurate site is the armpit.

The best way to measure your temperature is with a Digital Terameter glass thermometers contain mercury and providers no longer recommend them.

How long does a fever last?

The cause of the fever determines how long it’ll last. Typically, if an infection is the cause of your fever, it should pass within three to four days. Call your healthcare provider if the fever lingers longer than that or comes along with breathing changes.

How can I break a fever at home?

If your fever is mild — less than 101 degrees F (38.3 degrees C) — you usually don’t need treatment with medication. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest. Taking a lukewarm bath — about 98 degrees F (36.7 degrees C) — may also help bring your body’s temperature down. Keep an eye on signs of dehydration and other worsening symptoms.

If you’re feeling uncomfortable and your temperature is higher than 101 degrees F (38.3 degrees C), you can try to break the fever. The most common way to get rid of a fever is to use over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as paracetamol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin.

Don’t give aspirin to children under the age of 17 yrs. Aspirin in children may cause Reye’s syndrome, a sometimes fatal illness.

you can take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen to try to reduce a fever.

How long does a fever last

The cause of the fever determines how long it’ll last. Typically, if an infection is the cause of your fever, it should pass within three to four days. Call your healthcare provider if the fever lingers longer than that or comes along with breathing changes.

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