Fever

Don’t use a glass mercury thermometer. If it breaks, droplets of toxic mercury can be released. If this happens, don’t use a vacuum or broom to clean up the mercury. Call your local health or fire department to find out what to do.

Anemia

Headaches

West Nile Virus

Causes

Fever is usually a sign of another problem, such as an infection.

Body temperature changes during the day. It is usually lowest in the morning and highest in the late afternoon and evening. Other factors can increase body temperature. These include:

Pain

SEE ALL GENERAL HEALTH ARTICLES

• Wearing too much clothing.

• Exercise.

• Hot, humid weather.

• Taking a temperature by mouth after drinking a hot liquid, like tea.

Treatment

Treatment includes self-care measures and treating the cause.

Questions to Ask

Question 1

Does an infant or child up to 3 years old have any of these problems?

• Temperature of 100.4ºF (38ºC or higher in a baby less than 3 months old.

• Temperature of 104ºF (40ºC) or higher in a child between 3 months and 3 years old.

• The child with a fever is crying and can’t be consoled.

Get medical care without delay. If symptoms are life threatening go to the ER or call 9-1-1. Don’t call 9-1-1 or use the ER if symptoms do not threaten life. Ask your doctor ahead of time where you should go for a problem that needs prompt care, but not emergency care.

Question 2

With a fever, do any of these signs occur?

• Shortness of breath or a hard time breathing.

• Stiff neck; severe, headache that lasts; nausea or vomiting; and the person can’t be roused.

• Acting very cranky.

• Confusion. Mental status changes.

• Severe pain in the abdomen.

Question 3

With a fever, do any of these signs occur?

• Pain, redness, and swelling anywhere on the body. Ear pain that persists or pain in the sinuses (face). Pain in the chest with deep breaths.

• Sore throat. Green, yellow, or bloody-colored discharge from the nose, ears, or throat. A cough with colored phlegm.

• Pain or burning feeling when passing urine or passing urine often. Abnormal vaginal pain, discharge, or bleeding.

You should be seen by your doctor for medical advice. Contact your doctor or health care provider to find out how soon you should be seen.

Question 4

Has the fever lasted longer than 3 days without getting better?

You should be seen by your doctor for medical advice. Contact your doctor or health care provider to find out how soon you should be seen.

Question 5

Do any of these problems occur?

• Temperature of 99.5°F (37.5°C) and up to 100.4°F (38°C) in an infant younger than 3 months old.

• Temperature of 102.2°F (39°C) and up to 104°F (40°C) in a child 3 months to 3 years old. Temperature above 104°F (40°C) in a person between 3 years and 64 years old.

• Temperature of 102.2°F (39°C) or higher in a person age 65 years or older or in a person whose immune system is lowered.

You should be seen by your doctor for medical advice. Contact your doctor or health care provider to find out how soon you should be seen.

Question 6

Has the person with the fever recently been in the hospital or had surgery? Or, does the person have a chronic illness, such as asthma, heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, cancer, or diabetes?

Call your doctor or health care provider and state the problem. He or she can decide what you should do.

Question 7

Do any of these statements apply?

• The fever went away for more than 24 hours, but came back.

• The fever came soon after a visit to another country.

• A fever and feeling dizzy came after having a DTaP or MMR vaccine.

Call your doctor or health care provider and state the problem. He or she can decide what you should do.

Use Self-Care / Prevention:

You can probably take care of the problem yourself if you answered NO to all the questions. Use the “Self-Care” measures that are listed. Call your doctor if you don’t feel better soon, though. You may have some other problem.

Self-Care / Prevention

• Drink lots of fluids, such as fruit juice, water, etc.

• Take a sponge bath with warm (about 70ºF) water. Don’t use cold or cool water. Don’t use rubbing alcohol.

• Take the right dose of an over-the-counter medicine to reduce fever, as directed.

• Rest.

• Don’t do heavy exercise.

• Don’t wear too many clothes. Don’t use too many blankets.

This website is not meant to substitute for expert medical advice or treatment. Follow your doctor’s or health care provider’s advice if it differs from what is given in this guide.

The American Institute for Preventive Medicine (AIPM) is not responsible for the availability or content of external sites, nor does AIPM endorse them. Also, it is the responsibility of the user to examine the copyright and licensing restrictions of external pages and to secure all necessary permission.

The content on this website is proprietary. You may not modify, copy, reproduce, republish, upload, post, transmit, or distribute, in any manner, the material on the website without the written permission of AIPM.