Health Care Guide

A fever is a high body temperature. It is a symptom, not a disease. A fever is one way your body fights illness. A temperature of up to 38.9°C (102°F) can be helpful because it helps the body respond to infection. Most healthy adults can tolerate a

fever as high as 39.4° to 40°C ( 103 ° to 104°F ) for short periods of time without problems.

For specific fever guidelines for children younger than 4 years of age, See Fever.

Home Treatment

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Drink 8 to 12 glasses of water a day. You are drinking enough if you are urinating more often than usual.
Take and record your temperature every 2 hours and whenever symptoms change.
Take acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen to lower fever. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20.
Take a sponge bath with lukewarm water if a fever causes discomfort.
Watch for signs of dehydration. See Dehydration.
Dress lightly.
Eat light, easily digested foods, such as soup.
If you have classic flu symptoms, try Home Treatment and reassess your symptoms in 48 hours. See Influenza (Flu).

When to Call a Health Professional

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If a fever higher than 40° to 40.5°C ( 104 ° to 105°F ) does not come down after 2 hours of Home Treatment.
If a fever higher than 39.4° to 40°C ( 103 ° to 104°F ) does not come down after 12 hours of Home Treatment.
If you have a persistent fever. Many viral illnesses cause fevers of 38.9°C (102°F) or higher for short periods of time (up to 12 to 24 hours). Call a doctor if the fever stays high:
- 38.9°C (102°F) or higher for 2 full days
- 38.3°C (101°F) or higher for 3 full days
- 37.8°C (100°F) or higher for 4 full days
If body temperature rises to 39.4°C (103°F) or higher, all sweating stops, and the skin becomes hot, dry, and flushed (possible heat stroke, See Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke).
If a fever occurs with other signs of a bacterial infection (See Viral or Bacterial?).
If fever occurs with any of the following symptoms:
- Very stiff neck and headache (see "Encephalitis and Meningitis" on See Encephalitis and Meningitis).
- Shortness of breath and cough (see Bronchitis on See Bronchitis and Pneumonia on See Pneumonia).
- Pain above the eyes or the cheekbones (see Sinusitis on See Sinusitis).
- Pain or burning when urinating (see Urinary Tract Infections on See Urinary Tract Infections).
- Abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting (see Stomach Flu and Food Poisoning on See Stomach Flu and Food Poisoning, or Appendicitis on See Appendicitis).
- If a fever is accompanied by disturbing or unexplained symptoms.
If you develop a fever after you start taking a new medication.

FAMILY HEALTH CARE +

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