When to Bring Baby to Doctor for Fever

High Fever in Adults 102
- Fever facts
What Is a Fever in Adults
- What is a fever?
Causes
- What causes a fever?
Symptoms
- What are the signs and symptoms of a fever?
- When should you worry nigh fever?
Severe Fever
- How practise health care professionals diagnose a fever?
- What are complications of a fever?
High Temperature
- How should someone accept a temperature for fever?
Handling
- What is the handling for a fever?
Home Remedies
- What are home remedies for a fever?
Doctor Specialists
- What kind of doctors treat a fever?
Prognosis
- What is the prognosis for a fever?
Best Ways to Prevent
- 3 Possible ways to prevent a fever
- Where can people notice more data about fevers?
Eye
- Fever in Adults and Children Centre
Comments
- Patient Comments: Fever - Treatments
- Patient Comments: Fever - Signs and Symptoms
- Patient Comments: Fever - Complications
- Patient Comments: Fever - Causes
More
- Observe a local Family Physician in your town

Fever facts

Picture of a child with fever and high temperature

Although a fever (pyrexia) could exist considered any torso temperature above the normal temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (98.6 F or 37 C), medically, a person is non considered to take a meaning fever until the temperature is above 100.4 F (38.0 C).
Nigh fever is benign, causes no problems, and helps the body fight off infections. The main reason to treat a fever is to increment comfort.
Fever is the result of an immune response by your body to a foreign invader. Foreign invaders include viruses, leaner, fungi, drugs, or other toxins.
Children under 3 months of age with a higher-than-normal temperature of 100.4 F (38.0 C) or greater should be seen by a wellness intendance professional. They may be quite ill and not show any signs or symptoms too a fever. Infants younger than 6 weeks of age should be seen immediately past their physician.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) tin be used to treat a fever. Aspirin should not be used in children or adolescents to control fever.
The prognosis for a fever depends on the cause. About cases of fever are self-limited and resolve with treatment of symptoms.
A person who is taking immunosuppressant drugs or who has a history of or diagnosis of cancer, AIDS, or other serious illness, such as eye disease or diabetes, should seek medical intendance if a fever develops.

When to Call the Doctor for a Fever

Fever is a routine symptom in infants and children. Information technology is a normal allowed response to an infection to generate an elevated body temperature and brand the body inhospitable. That doesn't mean that the fever should exist ignored, but if the child is otherwise doing well, treating the fever with over-the-counter (OTC) medicines such every bit acetaminophen (Tylenol and many others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, and many others) may be all that is needed.

What is a fever?

The definition of fever is an elevation in trunk temperature or a high torso temperature. Technically, any torso temperature above the normal oral measurement of 98.half dozen degrees Fahrenheit (37 Celsius) or the normal rectal temperature of 99 F (37.2 C) is considered elevated. Even so, these are averages, and 1's normal body temperature may actually be 1 F (0.half-dozen C) or more than higher up or below the average of 98.6 F. Body temperature can also vary up to ane F (0.6 C) throughout the day.

Fever is not considered medically significant until body temperature is above 100.four F (38 C), which is the temperature considered to be a fever past medical professionals. Annihilation higher up normal but below 100.4 F (38 C) is considered a low-class fever. Fever serves as i of the body's natural infection-fighting defenses confronting leaner and viruses that cannot live at a higher temperatures. For that reason, low-grade fevers should normally go untreated, unless accompanied by troubling symptoms or signs.
Also, the torso's defence force mechanisms seem to work more efficiently at a college temperature. Fever is just one part of an illness, many times no more important than the presence of other symptoms such as coughing, sore pharynx, sinus congestion, fatigue, joint pains or aches, chills, nausea, etc.
Fevers of 104 F (40 C) or higher may be dangerous and demand immediate home treatment and prompt medical attention, equally they tin can event in delirium and convulsions, particularly in infants, children, and the elderly.
Fever should not exist confused with hyperthermia, which is a defect in your body's response to oestrus (thermoregulation), which tin can as well raise the body temperature. This is usually acquired past external sources such as being in a hot surround. Oestrus exhaustion and heat stroke are forms of hyperthermia. Other causes of hyperthermia can include side effects of certain medications or medical conditions.
Fever should too not exist dislocated with hot flashes or dark sweats due to hormonal changes during perimenopause (the time menstruum around menopause). Hot flashes and night sweats crusade a sudden and intense feeling of oestrus, and may exist accompanied by flushing (skin redness and tingly feeling) and sweating, only are non the same thing as a fever.

QUESTION

Which illness is known as a viral upper respiratory tract infection? See Answer

What causes a fever?

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Fever is the result of your immune arrangement'south response to a strange invader. These strange invaders include viruses, bacteria, fungi, drugs, or other toxins.
These strange invaders are considered fever-producing substances (called pyrogens), which trigger the body's immune response. Pyrogens signal the hypothalamus in the brain to increase the body temperature fix betoken in social club to help the body fight off the infection.
Fever is a mutual symptom of most infections such every bit colds, flu, and gastroenteritis (also referred to as tum flu), and thus a risk factor for fever is exposure to infectious agents.
Typical infections that may cause a fever include those of the ear, pharynx, lung, bladder, and kidney. In children, immunizations (such as vaccine shots) or teething may cause short-term low-grade fever.
Autoimmune disorders (including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel affliction), medication side furnishings, seizures, blood clots, hormone disorders, cancers, and illicit drug employ are some non-infectious causes of fevers.
Fever itself is non contagious; however, if the fever is caused by a viral or bacterial infection, the infection may be contagious.

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What are the signs and symptoms of a fever?

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A fever can cause a person to feel very uncomfortable. Signs and symptoms of a fever include the following:

Temperature greater than 100.4 F (38 C) in adults and children
Shivering, shaking, and chills
Aching muscles and joints or other body aches
Headache
Intermittent sweats or excessive sweating
Rapid eye rate and/or palpitations
Skin flushing or hot skin
Feeling faint, featherbrained, or silly
Eye pain or sore eyes
Weakness
Loss of ambition
Fussiness (in children and toddlers)
Also of import to annotation in children are symptoms that can accompany an infection, including sore throat, coughing, earache, vomiting, and diarrhea
With very high temperatures (>104 F/twoscore C), convulsions, hallucinations, or confusion is possible. Ever seek medical attending for a high fever or if these symptoms occur.

SLIDESHOW

How to Foreclose the Mutual Cold Run into Slideshow

How do health care professionals diagnose a fever?

Along with having generalized symptoms of a fever, taking one's temperature with a thermometer can confirm the diagnosis of a fever. A temperature greater than 100.4 F in adults or children is considered a fever.
Different tests may be washed by a doctor, such a claret and imaging tests, to make up one's mind the cause of a fever and if the cause of the fever needs to be treated.

How should someone have a temperature for fever?

Digital thermometers tin be used to measure out rectal, oral, or axillary (nether the armpit) temperatures. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend utilize of mercury thermometers (glass), and they encourage parents to remove mercury thermometers from their households to prevent accidental exposure to this toxin.

Measuring an axillary (nether the armpit) temperature for fever

Axillary temperatures are not every bit accurate as rectal or oral measurements, and these more often than not measure 1 degree lower than a simultaneously obtained oral temperature.

Place the tip of the digital thermometer in a kid's armpit.
Leave the thermometer in place about ane minute or until one hears a beep to check a digital reading.

Measuring fever past eardrum temperature

Tympanic (ear) thermometers must exist placed correctly in a child's ear to be accurate. Too much earwax tin can cause the reading to be incorrect.

Eardrum temperature measurements are not accurate in minor children and should non be used in children nether 3 years (36 months) of age. This is particularly true in infants below 3 months of historic period when obtaining an accurate temperature is very important.

Measuring fever past oral temperature

People iv years old and older can accept their temperature taken with a digital thermometer under the tongue with their rima oris airtight.

Make clean the thermometer with soapy water or rubbing alcohol and rinse.
Plough the thermometer on and place the tip of the thermometer as far back nether the tongue equally possible.
The mouth should remain closed, as an open oral fissure can cause readings to be inaccurate.
The thermometer should remain in place for almost one minute or until one hears the beep. Bank check the digital reading.

Avoid hot or cold drinks within 15 minutes of oral temperature measurement to ensure correct readings.

Measuring fever by rectal temperature

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends rectal temperature measurements for children and toddlers nether 3 years of historic period, as this gives the most accurate reading of core temperature.

Clean the thermometer with soapy h2o or rubbing alcohol and rinse with cool water.
Use a small amount of lubricant, such as petroleum jelly, on the cease.
Identify the kid or baby prone (abdomen-side downwards) on a firm surface, or place a child confront and bend his legs to his chest.
After separating the buttocks, insert the thermometer approximately ½ to 1 inch into the rectum. Exercise not insert it too far.
Hold the thermometer in identify, loosely keeping one'south hand cupped around the kid's bottom, and proceed one'southward fingers on the thermometer to avoid it accidently sliding further into the rectum. Keep it in that location for about one minute, until ane hears the beep.
Remove the thermometer, and cheque the digital reading.
Label the rectal thermometer then it's not accidentally used in the oral fissure.

A rectal temperature volition read approximately 1 caste college than a simultaneously obtained oral temperature.

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What is the treatment for a fever?

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Generally, if the fever does not cause discomfort, the fever itself need not be treated. It is not necessary to awaken an adult or child to treat a fever unless instructed to do then by a doc.

The following over-the-counter fever-reducing medications may exist used at home:

Acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) tin can be used to lower a fever. The recommended pediatric dose can be suggested by the child'southward pediatrician. Adults without liver affliction or other health problems can accept one,000 mg (two "extra-force" tablets) every six hours or as directed by a physician. The makers of Tylenol land the maximum recommended dose of acetaminophen per twenty-four hour period is 3,000 mg, or half dozen actress-strength tablets per 24 hours, unless directed by a doctor. Regular-strength Tylenol tablets are 325 mg; the recommended dosage for these is two tablets every four to half dozen hours, non to exceed 10 tablets per 24 hours. If your fever is accompanied by vomiting and you are unable to go on oral medications down, ask a pharmacist for acetaminophen suppositories, which are available without a prescription.
Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) tin can also be used to break a fever in patients over 6 months of age. Hash out the all-time dose with a dr.. For adults, generally 400 mg to 600 mg (two to three 200 mg tablets) tin can exist used every six hours as fever reducers.
Naproxen (Aleve) is another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can temporarily reduce fever. The adult dose is ii tablets every 12 hours.
Aspirin should not exist used for fever in children or adolescents. Aspirin use in children and adolescents during a viral illness (particularly chickenpox and influenza, or influenza) has been associated with Reye'southward syndrome. Reye'south syndrome is a unsafe illness that causes prolonged vomiting, confusion, and even coma and liver failure.

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What are home remedies for a fever?

An individual with a fever should exist kept comfortable and non overdressed. Overdressing tin cause the temperature to rising farther. Tepid water (85 F [thirty C]) baths or sponge baths are a home remedy that may help bring down a fever. Never immerse a person with a fever in ice water. This is a common misconception. Never sponge a child or an developed with alcohol; the alcohol fumes may exist inhaled, causing many bug.
Other home remedies for fever include staying hydrated. Drink plenty of water and fluids, and avoid alcohol or caffeinated beverages, which tin contribute to dehydration. Popsicles can also be cooling and provide fluids while also soothing a sore throat if that is nowadays.
A fan to broadcast air or an open window may exist helpful, besides as applying a cool damp washcloth to the forehead. If you lot are caring for a kid, make sure the child does not feel as well cold.

When should you worry about fever?

A fever over 104 F/40 C in children and adults is considered dangerous. Seek medical attention immediately.
Any child below three months of historic period who has a temperature of 100.iv F (38 C) or greater should exist seen by a physician. If a child or adult has a history or diagnosis of cancer, AIDS, or other serious disease, such as heart disease, diabetes, or is taking immunosuppressant drugs, medical intendance should exist sought for a fever.
Children with a fever who have signs and symptoms such as rash, sore pharynx, ear pain, potent neck, drowsiness, fussiness, or headache should see a physician. In addition, if a fever lasts more than i twenty-four hours in a child or toddler 2 years of age or under, or last more than three days in a child over historic period two, seek medical intendance.
Otherwise, observe the person with the fever. If he or she appears sick or has symptoms that would suggest a major disease, such as meningitis (headache, stiff cervix, confusion, problems staying awake), urinary tract infection (shaking chills, dorsum pain, burning with urination), pneumonia (shortness of breath, cough), or whatsoever other signs of a serious illness, contact a health care professional person.
Other symptoms that may be indicative of a astringent illness include repeated airsickness, severe diarrhea, or skin rashes (that could exist a sign of dengue fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, scarlet fever, rheumatic fever, strep throat, or chickenpox).
Fever blisters (herpangina) are small blisters that turn into ulcers, usually on the lips, mouth, or natural language; a virus causes fever blisters. When a child contracts this virus for the first fourth dimension, the symptoms and the fever blisters can be quite severe. If the kid is not eating or drinking, contact the child's pediatrician.
Women who are meaning should contact a doctor for a fever over 101 F (38 C). A fever during pregnancy that is accompanied by a rash and articulation hurting could be a sign of an infection that could affect the baby. Some infections, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), can cause congenital deafness and other problems in the baby. If a significant woman contracts the Zika virus (besides called Zika fever), it may crusade a birth defect chosen microcephaly (small caput).
On the other manus, if the fever accompanies a unproblematic cold or virus, ane can treat the fever as described above and be bodacious the fever is only a symptom of the affliction. This is not to say one should ignore a fever. If there are other associated symptoms that are bothersome, contact a doctor.
Some vaccines given in childhood tin cause a low-grade fever inside a day or two of getting the injection. This fever is normally self-limited and brusk-lived. If the reaction seems astringent or the skin at the injection site is red, hot, and painful, contact the child's doctor.
A low percentage of all children and toddlers betwixt xviii months to 3 years of age volition accept a seizure (convulsion) with a high fever. Of those with a history of febrile seizure, some will have some other seizure associated with some other febrile (fever) episode. Febrile seizures, while frightening to the parents, are non associated with long-term nervous-organisation complications. Children used to be prescribed the antiseizure drug phenobarbital (Solfoton, Luminal) post-obit a delirious seizure as a preventive measure out (prophylaxis). This has not been shown to be beneficial and possibly may be harmful, so it is non recommended.
Recurrent fever in children (3 or more episodes of fever in a 6-month period, with no credible causative illness) tin be a symptom of a few different illnesses, such every bit PFAPA (periodic fever, aphthous ulcers, pharyngitis, and adenopathy) syndrome, cyclic neutropenia, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, and others. Come across your child'south pediatrician if fevers are recurrent.
Recurrent, persistent, or chronic fever in adults may accompany immune-deficient fever of unknown origin (FUO), too known as neutropenic FUO, and HIV-associated FUO, as well equally many other infectious atmospheric condition. Adults should run into their doctors if they develop recurrent fever.

What kind of doctors care for a fever?

Whatsoever kind of doc is able to treat a fever, but most likely when you have a fever y'all will see your family unit medicine specialist (besides called a general practitioner) or internist, and your child will run across a pediatrician. Yous may see an emergency medicine specialist in an emergency department.

If fever is due to a specific underlying or recurrent medical status, you may run across a specialist for that particular status. For example, if a person has cancer and a fever, an oncologist may be consulted. A meaning woman with a fever may meet her obstetrician. Newborns with fever may meet neonatal specialists. Patients with HIV/AIDS and fever may consult an infectious disease specialist.

What are complications of a fever?

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While having a fever is mostly very uncomfortable, a fever itself does not usually cause severe complications.

High fever (>103 F/40 C) or prolonged bouts of fever tin can lead to

seizures,
hallucinations, and/or
dehydration.

It is of import to seek treatment for the underlying cause of a fever in the situations described above. Many of the infections that tin can cause fever tin can lead to severe complications if untreated.

What is the prognosis for a fever?

The prognosis for a fever and how long it lasts depends on the crusade. Most cases of fever are self-limited and resolve with symptomatic handling. For example, a fever associated with a mutual cold usually merely lasts two to iii days. If fever is caused by influenza, nigh influenza symptoms including fever go away in about a week. Depending on the crusade, antibiotics or other advisable medications may be used.

Fevers associated with severe infections, or in patients whose immune system is compromised (such as those with cancer, elderly people, newborn infants, patients with HIV/AIDS, or people with autoimmune disorders), can exist life-threatening.

3 Possible ways to prevent a fever

Prevention of fever is possible merely to the extent that the specific cause of the fever can be prevented. Most fevers are caused by infection. Avoiding sources of infection and maintaining good hygiene practices are the best manner to prevent a fever.

Some means to preclude the spread of infection include the post-obit:

Proper hygiene: Launder hands frequently.
Avoid contact with sick people.
Brand sure immunizations are upwardly to appointment.

Where tin people find more information about fevers?

American Academy of Pediatrics
141 Northwest Point Boulevard
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-1098
Phone: 847-434-4000
Phone: 800-433-9016
Fax: 847-434-8000
[e-mail protected]

References

American Academy of Pediatrics. "Treating a Fever Without Medicine." Aug. twenty, 2015. <https://world wide web.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/fever/Pages/Treating-a-Fever-Without-Medicine.aspx>.

Pappas, Diane E. "Patient Information: The Common Cold in Children (Beyond the Basics)." UpToDate.com. Aug. 4, 2015. <http://world wide web.uptodate.com/contents/the-common-cold-in-children-beyond-the-basics>.

Roth, Alan R., and Gina M. Basello. "Arroyo to the Adult Patient with Fever of Unknown Origin." American Family unit Md 68.11 Dec. 1, 2003: 2223-2229. <http://world wide web.aafp.org/afp/2003/1201/p2223.html>.

Sadovsky, Richard. "Recurrent Fevers in Children: Differential Diagnosis." American Family unit Doctor 67.4 Feb. 15, 2003. <http://world wide web.aafp.org/afp/2003/0215/p863.html>.

United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Question and Answers: Zika virus infection (Zika) and pregnancy." Aug. 9, 2016. <http://www.cdc.gov/zika/pregnancy/question-answers.html>.

Ward, Mark A. "Patient Data: Fever in Children (Beyond the Basics)." UpToDate.com. Aug. 31, 2015. <http://world wide web.uptodate.com/contents/fever-in-children-beyond-the-basics>.

Webster's New World Medical Dictionary, Third Edition

When to Bring Baby to Doctor for Fever

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