Fever Guidelines: Causes, Symptoms, and When to Call the Doctor

Fever

Most of us have probably had fevers before and know what what they feel like. But what exactly is a fever, and when is it serious enough to require medical treatment? The answers are more complicated than you might think.

A natural response

A fever is our body’s response to infection, and can be a symptom of other problems. The hypothalamus in our brains controls body temperature. If you have an infection, the hypothalamus may crank up your body temperature to kill invading germs.

Throughout the day, our normal body temperature can range from 97.7-99.5 degrees Fahrenheit with a normal temperature of 98.5 degrees. When your normal body temperature rises above 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit, that often means you have a fever. But your temperature can rise for other reasons, such as taking a hot bath, exercise, menstruating, wearing warm clothes, etc.

Reasons for fever

Cold
Flu
Pneumonia
Ear infection
Bladder infection
Kidney infection
Autoimmune disease

How to respond to your fever

We usually know when we have a fever, but the cause can be more difficult to pin down. You can heal on your own from a cold, but you’ll need to see your doctor for more serious problems such as pneumonia.

So, how do you know whether to “ride out” a fever or seek treatment? Your age and physical condition are important factors. The guidelines are different for adults vs. children experiencing a fever. But, no matter your age, you should always call your doctor if you have any of these additional symptoms:

Stiff neck
Confusion
Rash
Bruising

When to get help from a doctor

Adults:

Temperature above 103 degrees Fahrenheit lasting longer than 48 hours
Temperature above 105 degrees Fahrenheit

Children:

2 years or younger – Above 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit lasting longer than 24-48 hours
3-12 months old – Above 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit
3 months or younger – Above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit

At-home treatment options

Taking acetaminophen (not for use in young children)
Drinking fluids
Dressing in lightweight clothing
Using a lightweight blanket for chills (remove when chills have subsided)
Taking a lukewarm bath

References:

UPMC HealthBeat

http://share.upmc.com/2016/10/fever-treatment-guidelines/

WebMD

Fever Facts

https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/fevers-causes-symptoms-treatments#2-4Fe

Mayo Clinic

Fever: First Aid

https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-fever/basics/art-20056685