Fever, or elevated body temperature, is a common symptom of numerous medical conditions. It's often a sign of an infection but can also result from inflammation, certain medications, or chronic diseases. While fevers are usually harmless and resolve on their own, they can sometimes indicate a serious underlying condition that requires medical attention.
A fever technically is a body temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. Often, a fever is accompanied by other symptoms, such as sweating, chills, headache, body aches, and fatigue. In more severe cases, a high fever can lead to confusion, irritability, convulsions, and dehydration.
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What causes a fever?
The most common cause of a fever is an infection, which could be viral, bacterial, or fungal. Other causes include certain medications, autoimmune diseases, cancer, or other medical conditions. Heat exhaustion or severe sunburn can also cause a fever.
When should I see a doctor for a fever?
You should see a doctor if your fever is 103°F (39.4°C) or higher, or if it lasts more than a few days. Also,
seek medical attention if your fever is accompanied by severe headaches, neck stiffness, confusion,
repeated vomiting, severe abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or a rash.
Frequently Asked Questions
The tests your doctor might order depend on your other symptoms. Common tests include blood tests to check for infection or inflammation, urinalysis to look for urinary tract infections, imaging tests like X- rays or CT scans to check for infections in your lungs or other parts of your body, and a lumbar puncture if meningitis is suspected.
Mild fevers can often be treated at home with rest and hydration. Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help lower a fever and relieve any discomfort. However, if your fever is high or accompanied by other severe symptoms, it's important to seek medical attention.
Certain medications, including some antibiotics, antihypertensives, antiseizure drugs, and medications that affect the immune system, can cause a fever. If you've recently started a new medication and have developed a fever, consult your doctor.
While a fever can sometimes be a symptom of certain types of cancer, a fever alone is not enough to diagnose cancer. Many other, more common conditions also cause fever. If you have a persistent, unexplained fever, it's essential to speak with your doctor.
In children, a fever is generally considered serious if it is 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a baby less than 3 months old, 102°F (38.9°C) or higher in a child 3-6 months old, or 103°F (39.4°C) or higher in a child over 6 months. Also, if a child has a fever along with symptoms like severe headache, stiff neck, repeated vomiting or diarrhea, difficulty breathing, or a rash, it's important to seek medical care promptly.
While teething might cause a slight increase in a baby's body temperature, it does not typically cause a full-fledged fever (above 100.4°F or 38°C). If your baby has a high temperature and is teething, it's likely that something else is causing the fever, and it would be a good idea to consult a doctor.
Not all fevers need to be treated. If the fever is mild and isn't causing discomfort, it can be left to run its course. However, if the fever is causing discomfort or is quite high, treatment with over-the-counter medications or other measures might be necessary.
Fever is a part of the body's defense mechanism against infection. Elevated body temperature can help certain types of immune cells to function more effectively, and it can slow the growth of viruses and bacteria.
