A person has a fever if their body temperature rises above the normal range of 98–100°F (36–37°C). It is a common sign of an infection.
As a person’s body temperature increases, they may feel cold until it levels off and stops rising. People describe this as “chills.”
Eating, exercise, sleeping, the time of day, and individual factors can also affect temperature.
When an infection occurs, the immune system will launch an attack to try to remove the cause. A high body temperature is a normal part of this reaction.
A fever will usually resolve on its own. However, if the body temperature rises too high, it may be a symptom of a severe infection that needs medical treatment. In this case, a doctor may recommend medication to reduce it.
Symptoms
When someone has a fever, they may also:
- I shiver and feel cold when nobody else does.
- sweat
- I have a low appetite.
- shows signs of dehydration.
- They have increased sensitivity to pain.
- I lack energy and feel sleepy.
- I have difficulty concentrating.
If a baby has a fever, they may:
- feel hot to the touch
- have flushed cheeks
- be sweaty or clammy
With a high fever, there may also be irritability, confusion, delirium, and seizures.
COVID-19 symptoms
If a person has a fever with a dry cough, they may have symptoms of COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urge people with these symptoms to stay at home and away from other people. The person should also wear a face-covering if other people are nearby.
In many cases, the symptoms will improve without specialist treatment.
However, if the person also develops severe chest pain or difficulty breathing, they should call 911 and ask for medical help.
Taking a temperature
To take a temperature, most people now use a digital thermometer. Experts do not recommend using a glass thermometer, as these can be dangerous. Some people use a forehead strip, but these may be less accurate.
A person can put a thermometer under their arm or in their mouth.
To use a digital device,
- Rinse the tip after cleaning it with cold water and soap.
- Turn the gadget on.
- Close your mouth and place the tip under your tongue, toward the rear of your mouth. Alternatively, tuck it under your armpit and keep the device close to your body.
- Wait until the thermometer beeps or a flash occurs.
- Take note of the temperature.
Normal armpit temperature will be around 0.5 to 0.9ºF (0.3 to 0.5°C) lower than an oral temperature.
If the reading is 100.4°F (38°C) or above, the person has a fever.
When should I worry?
Doctors classify fevers according to how long they last, whether or not they come and go, and how high they are.
Severity
Core body temperature varies from person to person.
Most experts consider a temperature of 100.4° F (38°C) to be a fever, but in children, this may be lower, at 99.5°F (37.5°C).
Trusted Source: Hyperpyrexia can occur when a person’s temperature rises above 106 °F (41.1 °C). Without treatment, this can lead to complications.
Duration
A fever can be:
- acute if it lasts for under 7 days
- subacute if it lasts for up to 14 days
- chronic or persistent if it lasts for over 14 days
Fevers that exist for days or weeks with no explanation are called fevers of unknown origin.
Treatment
The immune system responds to bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens with moderate fever. It aids the body’s ability to resist illness.
It can, however, be inconvenient, and a high temperature can also result in consequences.
As a result, antipyretic drugs may be prescribed by doctors to lower a person’s fever.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, are examples. Fever can also be reduced by acetaminophen (Tylenol). Although aspirin can help, it is not recommended for youngsters or persons who are using blood thinners.
Dehydration can occur when a person sweats excessively. To avoid difficulties, individuals should drink enough water in this situation.
Treating the cause
A fever is a symptom, not an illness.
A doctor may wish to carry out tests to identify the cause. If the fever is due to a bacterial infection, they may prescribe an antibiotic.
If it stems from a viral infection, the doctor may recommend using NSAIDs to relieve the symptoms.
Antibiotics will not stop a virus. A doctor will not prescribe them for a viral infection.
NSAIDs will not help if the fever is due to hot weather or sustained strenuous exercise. In these cases, it is essential to cool the person down. If they are confused or unconscious, they need immediate medical care.
COVID-19
A person with symptoms of COVID-19 may not need any medical treatment.
However, if they develop severe chest pain and have difficulty breathing, they may need hospital treatment.
Some people will need to spend time on a ventilator, which is a device that will help them breathe.
Causes
Fevers can result from various factors, including:
- an infection, such as strep throat, the flu, chickenpox, pneumonia, or COVID-19
- rheumatoid arthritis
- some medications
- overexposing the skin to sunlight, or sunburn
- heatstroke, either due to high ambient temperatures or prolonged strenuous exercise
- dehydration
- silicosis, which is a type of lung disease caused by long-term exposure to silica dust
- amphetamine abuse
- alcohol withdrawa
In children
Children with a high temperature may develop a febrile seizure. According to trusted sources, these are most likely to occur between the ages of 12 and 18 months.
These often result from an ear infection, gastroenteritis, or a respiratory virus, and they are not usually serious. Less commonly, they may stem from a more severe illness, such as meningitis, a kidney infection, or pneumonia.
Seizures can occur when the body temperature rises quickly.
There are two types of febrile seizures: simple febrile seizures and complex febrile seizures.
Simple febrile seizures
This type of febrile seizure can last from a few seconds up to 15 minutes. However, it usually lasts less than 5 minutes. It does not occur again during a 24-hour period.
Around 80–85% of the trusted sources of febrile seizures are of this type.
It typically involves the whole body, and symptoms include:
- stiffness in the body
- twitching in the arms and legs
- a loss of consciousness while the eyes stay open
There may also be:
- irregular breathing
- urination, defecation, or both
- vomiting
Complex febrile seizures
This type of febrile seizure lasts longer than 15 minutes, comes back more often, and tends to affect only a part of the body, rather than the whole body.
Complex febrile seizures are more serious than simple febrile seizures.
A child who has a complex febrile seizure is more likely to experience epilepsy as they grow older.
In fact, around 30–40%Trusted Source of children who have either type of seizure will have other similar seizures at a later date.
When to see a doctor
In most cases, a child who has a seizure should see a doctor. The doctor may suggest controlling their temperature with acetaminophen and ensuring that they drink plenty of fluids.
If necessary, they may also prescribe an anticonvulsant, such as sodium valproate or clonazepam.
Diagnosis
A fever is a symptom, not an illness. A doctor can diagnose a fever by checking the person’s body temperature, but they will also need to diagnose the reason for the fever.
To do so, they will examine the individual and ask them about any other symptoms and their medical history.
If the person has recently experienced another infection, if they have recently had surgery, or if there is pain or swelling in one area, it may indicate what kind of infection is likely to be present.
To confirm a diagnosis, the doctor may recommend:
- a blood test
- a urine test
- imaging tests
The treatment they prescribe will depend on the cause of the fever.
Prevention
To prevent a fever, people should follow the usual steps for reducing the risk of infection.
These include regular hand-washing and staying away from people who are unwell.
Preventing COVID-19
To reduce the risk of transmitting or contracting COVID-19, the CDC recommends:
- A moderate fever is produced by the immune system in response to bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. It improves the body’s ability to fight disease.
- However, it can be inconvenient, and a high fever might have serious effects.
- As a result, doctors may give antipyretic medications to reduce a person’s temperature.
- Ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are examples.
- Acetaminophen can also help with fever (Tylenol). Although aspirin can aid, it is not advised for children or those using blood thinners.
- When a person sweats excessively, dehydration can result. Individuals should drink enough of water in this situation to avoid problems.
Summary
A fever is usually a symptom of an infection. It is not usually a cause for concern, but the underlying illness may need medical treatment.
Often, a fever will resolve without medical attention. However, if a child or an older adult has a fever, if the individual has other severe or worsening symptoms, or if they have a weakened immune system, they should seek medical help.
If a person has a dry cough with a fever, they may have COVID-19. If they start to experience difficulty breathing, someone should call 911 and ask for emergency help.