What is Fever
Fever is an increase in the body’s temperature. It is often defined as a temperature of 100° F (38°C) or higher. Short mild or moderate fevers often have no long-term effects.
They also often do not need treatment. Moderate or high fevers may make you feel uncomfortable. Sometimes, they can also be a sign of a serious illness or disease.
The sweating that may happen with repeated fevers or fevers that last a while may also cause you to not have enough fluid in your body (dehydration).
You can take your temperature with a thermometer to see if you have a fever. A measured temperature can change with:
- Age.
- Time of day.
- Where
the thermometer is placed:
- Mouth (oral).
- Rectum (rectal).
- Ear (tympanic).
- Underarm (axillary).
- Forehead (temporal).
Follow these instructions at home:
Pay attention to any changes in your symptoms. Take these actions to help with your condition:
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor. Follow the dosing instructions carefully.
- If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your doctor. Do notstop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
- Rest as needed.
- Drink enough fluid to keep your pee (urine) clear or pale yellow.
- Sponge yourself or bathe with room-temperature water as needed. This helps to lower your body temperature. Do notuse ice water.
- Do notwear too many blankets or heavy clothes.
Contact a doctor if:
- You throw up (vomit).
- You cannot eat or drink without throwing up.
- You have watery poop (diarrhea).
- It hurts when you pee.
- Your symptoms do not get better with treatment.
- You have new symptoms.
- You feel very weak.
Get help right away if:
- You are short of breath or have trouble breathing.
- You are dizzy or you pass out (faint).
- You feel confused.
- You
have signs of not having enough fluid in your body, such as:
- A dry mouth.
- Peeing less.
- Looking pale.
- You have very bad pain in your belly (abdomen).
- You keep throwing up or having water poop.
- You have a skin rash.
- Your symptoms suddenly get worse.
