What is a fever?
A fever is a body temperature that is higher than normal˳ It usually means there is an abnormal process occurring in the body˳ Exercise, hot weather, and common childhood immunizations can also make body temperature rise˳
What causes a fever?
A fever is not an illness by itself˳ Rather it is a symptom that something is not right within the body˳ A fever does not tell you what is causing it, or even that a disease is present˳ It may be a bacterial or viral infection˳ Or, it could be a reaction from an allergy to food or medicine˳ Becoming overheated at play or in the sun can also result in fever˳
What are the symptoms of a fever?
Normal body temperature ranges from 97˳5°F to 98˳9°F (36˳4°C to 37˳2°C)˳ It tends to be lower in the morning and higher in the evening˳ Most healthcare providers consider a fever to be 100˳4°F (38°C) or higher˳ High fevers may bring on seizures or confusion in children˳ It’s not how high the temperature is, but how fast the temperature goes up that causes a seizure˳
A fever has other symptoms besides a higher-than-normal temperature˳ These are especially important when caring for babies, young children, and disabled people˳ These groups may not be able to express how they feel˳ Signs that mean fever include:
- Flushed face
- Hot, dry skin
- Low output of urine, or dark urine
- Not interested in eating
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Aching all over
- Nausea
How is a fever diagnosed?
The best way to diagnose a fever is to take a temperature with a thermometer˳ There are several types of thermometers, including the following:
- Digital thermometer (oral, rectal, or under the armpit)
- Tympanic (ear) thermometer (not recommended in babies younger than 6 months of age)
- Temporal artery (temperature taken across the forehead area)
Taking a temperature rectally is the most accurate method in children under 3 years of age˳ In older children and adults, take the temperature under the armpit or in the mouth˳ Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to take your temperature˳
Most thermometers today are digital, but there are some glass thermometers containing mercury still in use˳ Mercury is toxic substance and is dangerous to humans and the environment˳ Because glass thermometers can break, they should be disposed of properly in accordance with local, state, and federal laws˳ For information on how to safely dispose of a mercury thermometer, contact your local health department, waste disposal authority, or fire department˳
How is a fever treated?
You can treat a fever with acetaminophen or ibuprofen in dosages advised by your healthcare provider˳ Switching between giving acetaminophen and ibuprofen can cause medicine errors and may lead to side effects˳ Never give aspirin to a child or young adult who has a fever˳
A lukewarm bath may reduce the fever˳ Alcohol rubdowns are no longer recommended˳
Call your healthcare provider for guidance anytime you are uncomfortable with the conditions of the fever, and remember to contact your healthcare provider any time a temperature spikes quickly or persists despite treatment˳
When should I call my healthcare provider?
Call your healthcare provider right away for a fever in a baby younger than 3 months old˳
Call right away or seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur with a fever:
- Seizure
- Feeling dull or sleepy
- Irregular breathing
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Purple spotted rash
- Ear pain (a child tugging on his or her ear)
- Sore throat that persists
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Painful, burning, or frequent urination
Key points about fevers
- A fever is not an illness by itself, but, rather, a sign that something is not right within the body˳
- Illness, exercise, hot weather, and common childhood immunizations can make body temperature rise˳
- In addition to an elevated temperature, look for other signs, such as: flushed face, hot skin, low urine output, loss of appetite, headache, or other symptoms of an infection or illness˳
- Once you have determined that the person has a fever, you may treat it by giving acetaminophen or ibuprofen in dosages advised by your healthcare provider˳
- Call your healthcare provider if a baby under 3 months has a fever, or seek immediate medical attention if a fever is accompanied by a seizure, lethargy, irregular breathing, stiff neck, confusion, or other signs of a serious illness˳
Next steps
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:
- Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen˳
- Before your visit, write down questions you want answered˳
- Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you˳
- At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests˳ Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you˳
- Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you˳ Also know what the side effects are˳
- Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways˳
- Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean˳
- Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure˳
- If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit˳
- Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions˳
