Fever

Fever is also known as pyrexia, or simply elevated temperature. It describes a body temperature that is higher than normal. Fever can affect children and adults alike. A short-term increase in body temperature can help the body fight off illness. However, a severe fever can be a medical emergency.

Recognizing a fever can facilitate treatment and proper monitoring of the symptom. According to the Mayo Clinic, normal body temperature is typically 37 degrees C, or 98.6 degrees F. What is considered a normal body temperature in each person varies slightly (Mayo Clinic, 2011).

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a child has a fever when a temperature taken orally is higher than 99.5 degrees F, or 37.5 degrees C. An adult likely has a fever when body temperature exceeds 99 to 99.5 degrees F, or 37.2 to 37.5 degrees C. Normal body temperature can vary slightly depending on the time of day (NIH, 2010).

Some reasons for a fever are:

• infections, including pneumonia, colds, flu, ear infections, and bronchitis
• recent immunization (children)
• teething in children
• certain inflammatory diseases or autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease
• cancer
• blood clots
• certain medicines

Home care for a fever depends on how severe it is. A mild fever with no other symptoms does not typically require medical treatment. Drinking fluids and making an effort to rest are usually enough.

Take measures at home to address elevated body temperature. This is especially true if fever is accompanied by general discomfort, dehydration, difficulty sleeping, or vomiting. Home care measures include:

• Make sure the room temperature where the person is resting is comfortable.
• Take a regular bath or a sponge bath using lukewarm water.
• Take acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen (or give these medications to your child in appropriate doses).
• Take aspirin (which is for adults only, unless a doctor has given you different advice).
• Drink plenty of fluids.

A mild fever can typically be treated at home. However, according to the NIH, there are some instances when you or your child should see a doctor as soon as possible. These instances include when (NIH, 2010):

• a child’s temperature is at least 100.4 degrees F, or 38 degrees C when taken rectally (under 3 months of age)
• a child’s body temperature is higher than 102.2 degrees F, or 39 degrees C (between 3 months and 1 year of age)
• an adult’s body temperature is higher than 103 degrees F, or 39.4 degrees C
• body temperature is higher than 105 degrees F, or 40.5 degrees C, and at-home treatment do not bring it down and/or it’s causing discomfort (older children and adults)
• a child has other symptoms of illness, such as a cough or a sore throat
• a child or adult has a serious medical illness and/or a compromised immune system
• the fever is not going away (one to two days for children under 2, and two to three days for older children and adults)
• a child recently had one or more immunizations
• the fever comes and goes for at least a week
• the person experiencing a fever has recently been in a developing country
• the person has new rashes or bruises
• the person is having pain during urination

Your physician will probably perform a physical examination and medical tests. This will help him or her determine the cause of the fever and an effective course of treatment.

Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 if you or your child is experiencing any of the following:

• inconsolable crying (children)
• confusion
• inability to walk
• trouble breathing
• severe headache
• stiff neck
• seizure

Limiting exposure to infectious agents is one of the best ways to prevent fever is to try to. Infectious agents often cause body temperature to rise. Wash your hands regularly and keep hands away from the nose, mouth, and eye area.