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The 5 types of fever are intermittent, remittent, continuous or sustained, hectic, and relapsing. Fever is a sign that your body is fighting an infection or illness. Learn the signs of fever, what causes fever, how doctors diagnose fever, and what you can do to treat fever.
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- Rheumatic Fever
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Taking a temperature
- When should I worry?
- Treatment
- Causes
- In children
- Diagnosis
- Prevention
- Summary
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 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.
Read on to learn more about the symptoms of a fever, as well as some causes and treatment options.
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 increased sensitivity to pain
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:
1.Clean the tip using cold water and soap, and then rinse it.
2.Turn on the device.
3.Place the tip under the tongue, toward the back of the mouth, and close the mouth. Or, place it under the armpit and hold the device close to the body.
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). Hyperpyrexia can occur when a person’s temperature rises above 106°F (41.1°C). Without treatment, this can lead to complications. Learn more about normal body temperature and when a person should worry here.
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.
A mild fever is part of the immune system’s response to bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. It helps the body fight off infection.
However, it can be uncomfortable, and a high fever can sometimes lead to complications.
For this reason, doctors may sometimes recommend medications called antipyretics to lower a person’s temperature.
Examples include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can also reduce a fever. Aspirin can help, but it is not suitable for children, and it may not be suitable for people who take blood thinners.
NSAIDs and Tylenol are available to purchase over the counter or online.
If a person is sweating a lot, they may experience dehydration. In this case, they should consume plenty of fluids to prevent complications.
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
Children with a high temperature may develop a febrile seizure. 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 seizure: simple febrile seizures and complex febrile seizures.
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
Preventing COVID-19
To reduce the risk of transmitting or contracting COVID-19, the CDC recommend: •washing the hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time •using hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available •not touching the face with unwashed hands •covering the face with a mask or cloth covering when near other people, except for children under 2 years •cleaning and disinfecting surfaces regularly •coughing and sneezing into a tissue, then disposing of the tissue and washing the hands •avoiding close contact with people who are unwell For information on how to make and wear a face mask, see the CDC’s advice here.
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.
Read the article in Spanish.
Feb 10, 2022 · The medical community generally defines a fever as a body temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. A body temp between 100.4 and 102.2 degree is usually considered a low-grade fever. “If the temperature is not high, it doesn’t necessarily need to be treated with medication,” Dr. Joseph said.
Nov 15, 2023 · Fevers have a wide range of causes, and you might hear your doctor call your fever a certain name. That's because doctors classify five types of fevers based on their patterns....
Jun 20, 2024 · Doctors generally consider a fever to be an oral temperature of 100 F (37.8 C) or higher. When you have an infection or illness, your body releases substances that tell its...
May 31, 2023 · Most providers say a fever is either 100.0 F (37.8 C) or 100.4 F (38 C). When you have a fever, it’s your body’s normal response to fighting an infection or illness. Fevers usually aren’t a serious concern. They typically go away when the infection passes. Find a Primary Care Provider.
People also ask
How do doctors classify a fever?
What are the symptoms of a fever?
What are the 5 types of fever?
May 7, 2022 · A temperature taken using a mouth thermometer (oral temperature) that's 100 F (37.8 C) or higher is generally considered to be a fever. Depending on what's causing a fever, other fever signs and symptoms may include: Sweating. Chills and shivering. Headache. Muscle aches. Loss of appetite. Irritability. Dehydration. General weakness.
