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What is fever & how does it affect you?
Are fevers a symptom of illness or infection?
What does it mean if you have a fever?
May 14, 2024 · Fever, abnormally high body temperature. Fever is a characteristic of many different diseases. It is most often associated with infection but is also observed in other pathologic states, such as cancer. Mild or moderate fevers cause weakness or exhaustion, whereas high fevers may cause convulsions and death.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Overview
- What to look for
- What usually causes a fever?
- How to treat a fever at home
- When to see a doctor about a fever
- When is a fever a medical emergency?
- How can a fever be prevented?
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.
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.
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
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
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:
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
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.
Dec 6, 2022 · Our body produces prostaglandins to fight off germs. A body temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or more is considered to be a fever in adults. Temperatures above 39.5°C (103.1°F) are considered to be a high fever, and very high fever is defined as any temperature above 41°C (105.8°F).
Mar 15, 2022 · A mild fever is not just the sign of an infection or viral disease. It actually stimulates the body's immune response, and a new study explains how. Medical News Today
May 7, 2022 · causes. Diagnosis & treatment. Doctors & departments. Overview. A fever is a temporary rise in body temperature. It's one part of an overall response from the body's immune system. A fever is usually caused by an infection. For most children and adults, a fever may be uncomfortable. But it usually isn't a cause for concern.
May 5, 2020 · A fever is a common sign of an infection. When someone has a fever, they may also: shiver and feel cold when nobody else does. sweat. have a low appetite. show signs of dehydration. have...
Sep 17, 2019 · Characteristics. Types. When it's serious. Causes. Treatments. When to go to the ER. Takeaway. You may need to get plenty of rest and drink fluids to help your body heal. But if you have a high or...
