Fever
Fevers can be puzzling and alarming, especially for parents whose young children have them. Though fevers can be a symptom of a more serious problem, they generally illustrate the body’s immune system at work. Over certain temperatures, depending on the person’s age, fevers can be dangerous, so use this guide to learn when to call a doctor.
Expand All Guide SectionsWhat Is a Fever?
A fever is when the body’s temperature rises to a certain level of just over 100 F. Although fevers occur primarily as a response to bacterial and viral infections, excessive exposure to the sun, side effects of medication, and certain other health conditions can also cause fevers. The different stages of a fever are characterized by a variety of symptoms, including chills, aches, overheating, and sweating. For many, fevers are an uncomfortable accompaniment to an already bothersome illness. To the very young, however, fevers can be much more dangerous and warrant contacting a health professional.
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- A body temperature of 100.5 F or higher, taken rectally, is considered to be a fever. Rectal thermometer readings are about one degree higher than a reading from an oral thermometer. When you’re talking to a doctor, don’t try to convert the readings to oral or rectal, says the Mayo Clinic. Just tell the doctor what the temperature is and specify how you measured it.
- The body’s temperature fluctuates throughout the day, and can rise after exercise, or even when someone is wearing too many clothes. Body temperature tends to be lower in the morning.
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For an overview of fevers …
MedlinePlus
is a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. This article explains that fevers are defense mechanisms used by the human body to fight bacterial and viral infections. Temperatures over 98.6 F can kill organisms that might thrive in that range. Also find advice for when to call the doctor, and how to care for children and adults with fevers at home.
Mayo Clinic
describes the reasons why someone may have a fever, which include having an infection, a reaction to medication, or even sunburn. Learn when to call a doctor about a fever by age group; when a child of three months or younger has a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher, call a doctor just to be safe.
InteliHealth
is a consumer health portal run by Aetna that draws much of its content from the experts at Harvard Medical School. Access a brief overview of fevers that covers what they are, their causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
For fever symptoms …
St. John Health
is a system of hospitals and medical organizations in southeast Michigan. Find a list of the symptoms commonly experienced during a fever, and also how to treat adult fevers.
Fever Treatment
Fevers that aren’t a symptom of another illness can be monitored and treated at home with ... read more »
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