When to See a Doctor for a Fever

For most adults, having a temperature above 100.4°F is considered a fever. Most fevers can be managed at home and will start to improve within several days. Still, knowing when to speak with a medical provider for a fever can help you get the care you need and avoid complications. 

If you have a fever that won’t go down after several days of rest, have a temperature of 103°F or higher, or experience severe symptoms such as chest pain or difficulty breathing, it’s best to talk to your provider. Read on to learn more.

When to See a Doctor for Fever

Mild fevers can be treated at home. For fevers of 103°F or higher, adults should contact their medical provider or seek emergency care. 

Additional symptoms that warrant more immediate medical attention are:

• A fever that does not improve after three days of rest and home care
• Severe headache
• Severe throat swelling
• Unusual skin rash
• Sensitivity to bright light
• Stiff neck (or pain when you bend your head forward)
• Mental confusion
• Persistent vomiting
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Abdominal pain
• Pain when urinating
• Extreme fatigue
• Extreme irritability
• Muscle weakness
• Sensory changes
• Seizure

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What’s Considered a Fever?

One factor that helps distinguish a fever from normal variations in body temperature is age. 

Infant

Any elevated temperature in an infant or child younger than three months old is considered a fever.

Children

A child’s temperature can be read using different types of thermometers. The below temperatures are considered a fever in children three months and older:

• 100°F via oral thermometer
• 100.4°F via rectal thermometer
• 99°F axillary temperature (taken in the armpit)

Adults

Any temperature above 100.4°F is considered a fever in adults.

Common Fever Causes

A fever can be a sign of many conditions. Some of the most common causes of a fever include:

• A viral or bacterial infection
• Medicines (including antibiotics and blood pressure and anti-seizure medications)
• Heat illness
• Cancer
• Autoimmune disease
• Some vaccines

Additional Possible Symptoms

A fever is a symptom of a condition, rather than an illness itself. Depending on the type of illness you have, you may experience other symptoms such as:

• Chills
• Fatigue
• Body aches
• Loss of appetite
• Dehydration
• Irritability

Medical Treatment

Many fevers can be treated at home with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. If you need to seek treatment from a medical provider, depending on the underlying cause of your fever, they might recommend one of the following treatments:

• Antibiotics or antivirals
• Other prescription medications
• Intravenous medications
• Fluid replacement

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Fever Risks

Dehydration is a common risk of a fever. That’s why it’s important to rest and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of non-caffeinated liquids (such as water, herbal tea, and electrolyte-based fluids) when you have a fever. 

Additional risks are possible in people with certain medical conditions, including diabetes and cancer. If you’re immunocompromised and have a fever, contact your medical provider for guidance.

How K Health Can Help

Did you know you can access online urgent care with K Health?

Check your symptoms, explore conditions and treatments, and if needed, text with a healthcare provider in minutes. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is too long to have a fever?

Some fevers last longer than others. If you have a fever that doesn’t begin to improve within three days, contact your medical provider for care.

When should a patient see the doctor for a fever?

Most fevers can be treated at home with rest and drinking plenty of fluids. However, speak with a medical provider if you have: a fever that doesn’t go down in several days, a fever of 103°F or higher, or certain symptoms (including chest pain, shortness of breath, or severe throat swelling). If your infant has any elevated temperature, speak with their pediatrician as soon as possible.

What do you do when a fever won’t go down?

A mild fever may take a few days to go down on its own. In the meantime, get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids (avoid coffee and other caffeinated beverages). You can also take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) to help the fever go down. If your fever doesn’t improve within three days, contact your medical provider.

Should you go to the hospital if you have a fever?

You don’t need to go to the hospital for a mild fever. But if you have a fever of 103°F or higher, have a fever that won’t go down after several days, or are experiencing additional symptoms, seek medical treatment.

K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.

K Health has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions,
and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.

• Fever. (2016).
  https://medlineplus.gov/fever.html

When Does a Fever Warrant a Trip to Urgent Care?

Most minor illnesses can be handled at home with rest, proper hydration, and over-the-counter medications when necessary. But fever tends to be a deal breaker for most people, and they instinctively rush to the doctor.

With more than three decades of experience as a primary care physician, Dr. Joseph Goin at Calvary Urgent Care in Humble, Texas, has cared for countless folks worried about the implications of a fever. And most of these visits occur because the patients don’t understand the purpose of a fever and when it requires medical attention.

So, Dr. Goin has developed these brief guidelines to familiarize you with fevers and help you make an informed decision the next time you or a loved one spikes a fever.

What’s the purpose of a fever?

The average body temperature for most humans is 98.6℉, but anything within the range of 97℉-99℉ is considered normal.

When a pathogen enters your body, say a virus or bacterium, part of your immune response is a rise in body temperature to kill the intruder causing the infection. Fever is your body’s defense mechanism, and it can be a good thing, so it’s important to let it do its job.

Knowing when to treat a fever and when to seek medical assistance for a fever can be tricky, because there are several variables. Here, Dr. Goin explains these various scenarios and offers guidance for what to do if you face them.

When your child has a fever

Having a sick baby can be worrisome and confusing, especially when they’re too young to communicate. Here are some general guidelines to follow when your baby has a fever.

• 0-3 months old: call us for any fever at this age
• 3-6 months old: contact us if the temperature is 102℉
• 6-24 months: call us if the temp is 102℉ for more than a day
• Any age: call us about any fever that last more than three days

Keep in mind that your child may have a high fever even if they don’t act or seem sick. If the fever is making them restless or uncomfortable, make sure they drink plenty of fluids, as fevers can dehydrate them quickly.

If they get the chills, cover them with a blanket until it stops. Don’t give pain relievers to any baby before the age of six months unless Dr. Goin approves it, and for older babies, children, and teens, give only acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®).

Never give aspirin to children, as it may cause Reye’s syndrome, which leads to brain damage and liver problems.

Fever plus other symptoms

If your child has a fever plus other symptoms, you should contact us right away regardless of their temperature. Here are some examples of symptoms that require medical attention:

Urgent care:

• No wet diapers for 10 hours
• Tearless crying
• Tummy pain
• Headache
• Swollen or painful joints

Emergency care

• Rash
• Trouble breathing
• Neck stiffness
• Severe vomiting
• Severe diarrhea

If you’re unsure about whether your child’s fever warrants at-home care, urgent care, or emergency care, don’t hesitate to call us.

When you have a fever

Any fever can make you feel under the weather, but if it reaches 103℉, you’ll probably show clear signs of being sick. Headache, chills, and body aches are common fever companions, but acetaminophen or ibuprofen typically bring relief.

Just like with children, you should dress in breathable, lightweight clothing to stay comfortable, and wrap up in a warm blanket if you get chilled. And always drink lots of fluids when you have a fever. If any of your symptoms become extreme and/or disabling, it’s time to seek medical care.

Urgent care

• Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, dark urine, etc.)
• Chest pain
• Abdominal pain
• Rash
• Trouble breathing
• Severe headache
• Repeated vomiting
• Back pain

Emergency care

• Stiff neck
• Seizures
• Disorientation
• Debilitating headache
• Neck stiffness
• Severe diarrhea

If you or your child has a fever and needs medical attention, don’t hesitate to call us for advice or an appointment. Dr. Goin examines you thoroughly and determines the cause of your fever and the right course of treatment for it. He may order lab work such as a blood or urine test to find out if you have a bacterial infection or virus.

If your symptoms align with classic COVID-19 symptoms, Dr. Goin may suggest you take advantage of our drive-thru testing, which is open Monday-Friday, 9am-3pm. In most cases, the results are ready within an hour, and all are ready the same day.

Don’t be mystified by fever. Now that you know why it occurs and when it signals an emergency, you’re better prepared to handle the next one that comes your way. If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment, call our friendly Calvary Urgent Care staff at 832-680-2273 or contact us online today.

Temperature of 37.8 °C for colds, flu and SARS – causes and treatment

Rinza®

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9 0002 What to do at a temperature of 37 °C?

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Temperature 37. 8 °C

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Temperature 37.8 °C

• 28.05.2023

  9 0028

• 154 494

• 8 minutes

Maksimov Alexander Alekseevich

Author, editor and medical expert

Editor

Harutyunyan Mariam Arutyunovna

Contents:

• Reasons for the appearance of a temperature of 37.8 °C
• Is 37.8°C dangerous?
• Is it possible to bring the temperature down to 37.8 °C?
• Temperature of 37.8°C in a child
• Why does a temperature of 37.8°C occur without symptoms?
• What should I do if the temperature of 37.8 °C does not go away for a long time?
• RINZA® and RINZASIP® with vitamin C – help in the treatment of colds

?Temperature of 37.8 °C in a child Why can there be a temperature of 37.8 °C without symptoms? What to do if the temperature of 37. 8 °C does not go away for a long time? RINZA® and RINZASIP® with vitamin C at a temperature of 37.8 °C

The human body is unique, it is capable of reacting at the micro level to all the changes that happen to it. And it is the increase in temperature that is the main way to declare the problems that have arisen. But it should be noted that small changes in indicators during the day are the norm and are associated with ongoing chemical and physiological processes ¹ . In medical practice, the upper limit of the norm is considered to be the mark of 37.0 ° C, if the measurements were carried out in the armpit ^1.2 . If a person’s temperature rises to 37.8 ° C, then this indicates the body’s reaction to negative factors.

What to do at 37°C

What to do at 37.1°C

What to do at 37.2°C

What to do at 37.3°C 4°C

What to do at 37.5°C

What to do at 37.6°C

What to do at 37.7°C

What to do at a temperature of 37. 8 ° C

What to do at a temperature of 37.9 ° C

Causes of a temperature of 37.8 ° C

The causes of a temperature can be very different, but most often this condition is caused by viruses and bacteria ¹ . So, with the development of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections, the body begins to actively produce protective antibodies and substances that affect the thermoregulation center in the brain. Such an environment is detrimental to pathogens. But besides this, the temperature of 37.8 ° C can be associated with other reasons ^1.4 . For example, it quite often occurs in patients after operations, vaccinations, in some cases it is even a reaction to antibacterial treatment. Often, a slight fever is observed in pregnant women, which is associated with hormonal changes in the body. Also, the temperature can rise and even stay for several days due to stress, fatigue, change of time and climate zones, overheating in the sun or in a hot bath. Each situation usually has its own accompanying symptoms. Colds are usually accompanied by headache, runny nose, sore throat, cough, muscle aches and weakness ³ .

Is 37.8°C dangerous?

Any elevated body temperature often brings a lot of inconvenience, worsening the overall well-being. Nevertheless, in most cases it is considered not dangerous if the patient’s condition is monitored and dehydration is not allowed ^1.2 . But if a person has certain chronic diseases that can worsen, the condition worsens sharply, or the temperature lasts for a long time, then this is considered an alarming sign and requires consultation with a specialist

What should I do if the temperature

37.8 °C does not pass for a long time?

Is it possible to bring the temperature down to 37.8 °C?

When the thermometer shows 37.8 °C, many people have a logical question whether it is necessary to bring down such a temperature or whether the body should be given time to fight the infection on its own. Experts advise not to reduce body temperature if it does not exceed 38.0 °C and is normally tolerated by a person ¹ . To alleviate the condition, you need to give up physical activity, relax, drink more tea or fruit drink, eat small meals if you have an appetite. But in some cases, the temperature of 37.8 ° C should still be reduced. This applies to those people who do not tolerate even a small heat, as well as in case of a risk of convulsions and in the presence of certain chronic diseases ^1.2 . In these cases, the specialist should advise suitable antipyretics.

Temperature of 37.8 °C in a child

Colds in children are often accompanied by fever, which causes concern to parents. In the first days of illness, doctors advise not to bring down a slight fever, but to carefully monitor the child’s condition ² . Often in the evening the temperature can rise, in these cases, antipyretic drugs are indispensable. Therefore, it is necessary to consult with a specialist in advance about suitable medicines.

What should I do if the thermometer has not dropped for a week? It is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible, since such a condition may indicate the presence of a focus of chronic infection in the body ² . Special care should be taken in cases where, in addition to fever, the child has a severe headache, nausea and even vomiting. But it should be noted that the body temperature in children can also rise against the background of vegetovascular dystonia, overheating in the sun or due to too warm clothes, etc.

Why does a temperature of 37.8 °C occur without symptoms?

We are used to the fact that when you have a temperature, your throat usually hurts, nasal discharge or other unpleasant, but familiar and understandable symptoms appear. But there are cases when the disease proceeds without certain signs, and it is impossible to figure out what is happening on your own, then the immediate help of a specialist is required ⁴ . Do not forget that, for example, pneumonia is not always accompanied by a strong cough. And it can be diagnosed only after the examination. There are other diseases that are characterized by such a course.

What should I do if the temperature of 37.8 °C does not go away for a long time?

Subfebrile condition is a term commonly used to refer to a prolonged rise in temperature ^2.4 . This is a warning sign for both adults and children. The answer to the question of what to do is unequivocal – contact a specialist. It is impossible to diagnose and solve the problem on your own at home. Postponing a visit to the doctor can lead to serious health consequences. It is very important not to start bringing down the temperature without the permission of the doctor, since the removal of the symptom does not solve the problem, but only makes it difficult to find the cause of its occurrence. During the diagnosis, the patient, as a rule, is prescribed laboratory blood and urine tests, fluorography, ultrasound, etc.

RINZA® and RINZASIP®

with vitamin C – help in the treatment of colds

Colds always come at the wrong time and take a lot of energy. It is impossible to study, work and even relax when your throat hurts, your nose is stuffed up, you feel chills and aching muscles. In these cases, drug treatment is required, which helps to improve well-being and relieve unpleasant symptoms. To do this, you can use RINZA® tablets and powder for oral solution RINZASIP® with vitamin C for adults and adolescents from 15 years of age ^5.6 . For young patients from 6 years old there is a special remedy – RINZASIP® for children ⁷ . These drugs contain active ingredients that are aimed at combating the main symptoms of colds and flu ^5,6,7 . In addition, they (for the RINZASIP® line) contain vitamin C, which restores the body’s defenses to fight colds ^6.7 .

The information in this article is for reference only and does not replace professional medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment, contact a qualified specialist.

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what to do and where to go

Many who feel unwell during the coronavirus pandemic begin to suspect that they have Covid-19 – as you know, the symptoms of the disease are often similar to influenza or SARS. How to act in this situation and where to contact – read our instructions, which we were helped to compile by Alexei Bezymyanny, deputy chief freelance specialist for emergency medical care of the Moscow Health Department, and Natalia, a Muscovite who fell ill with coronavirus at the end of March.

Tags:

coronavirus

I have a cough and I think I have a fever, is this a coronavirus infection?

“Now there are quite a few suspicious people who suspect they have coronavirus and want to take a swab, even if they just have a tickle in their throat. If a person is not bothered by anything, he has practically no symptoms indicating a disease, he may be an asymptomatic carrier of a coronavirus infection. In this case, you do not need to do anything – it is important to observe protective measures, in particular, wear a mask and have less contact with people around you.

If symptoms appear: a fever (this occurs in most cases), a cough, a sore throat, asthma attacks, then you need to see a doctor. But the question arises, to which one?

If you have a temperature of up to 38.5, then you need to contact a polyclinic doctor – you don’t need to go somewhere and infect people, you need to call a doctor by phone and wait for his visit. Before meeting with a doctor, it is better to ventilate the room and communicate with him in a mask.

The doctor will interview the patient, perform an examination, measure the level of oxygen saturation in the blood, measure the temperature, if necessary, take a swab for testing for Covid-19, will issue a sick leave if necessary, give the patient to sign papers on self-isolation, give relatives instructions on how to communicate with the infected.”

When do you need to call an ambulance?

Nataliya: I am 40 years old and I live in Moscow. I felt bad on March 18: my throat hurt, I sweated a lot and felt very weak. At first, I didn’t call the doctor — I thought that I would lie down and everything would go away on its own. I don’t know where I got infected – apparently, in Moscow. In February, I went on vacation to Thailand, then I didn’t leave Moscow anywhere. On March 30, the temperature rose to 39, the weakness had not gone away by that time, and therefore I decided to call an ambulance at 103.

Alexei Bezymyanny: “In the event that there are difficulties with breathing, and the temperature rises above 38.5, you need to call a doctor It is necessary and possible to call an ambulance, and not a district polyclinic, if a person immediately feels very ill. always the best option. An ambulance doctor will not prescribe treatment, he will only relieve symptoms, find out if there is a threat to life, take the necessary tests, suggest hospitalization if it is really necessary. the team will still recommend calling the local doctor.0003

It must also be remembered that there are two types of teams: ambulance teams that come when there is a threat to life, as well as emergency teams that come in all other cases. An ambulance, which in most cases is sent to patients with suspected Covid-19, according to the standard, should arrive within two hours.”

What will the arriving doctors do?

Natalia: The doctors arrived quite quickly – within half an hour. The whole brigade was in protection – glasses, masks, a suit, I think that they are ready for the fact that many are sick with Covid-19. The doctor talked to me, listened to the lungs, immediately took the test. He gave recommendations for treatment – to bring down the temperature, drink more fluids, gargle, and, if necessary, suck on lozenges. Five days later, they called me and said that the test was positive, they told me to wait for the team of infectious disease specialists.

The interim guidelines of the Ministry of Health on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a new coronavirus infection note that a doctor who arrives on call must interview the patient, find out if the person has visited epidemically disadvantaged countries over the past 14 days, and whether he has been in contact with someone who has been confirmed to have Covid-19.

The doctor will collect the patient’s complaints and conduct an examination: evaluate the visible mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, percussion of the lungs, examine the lymph nodes, palpate the abdominal cavity and measure the body temperature. In addition, the doctor must take a test for coronavirus.

Alexei Bezymyanny: “The result of the analysis will be ready in two or three days: it will either confirm or deny the presence of infection. However, regardless of the result, the person must spend 14 days at home. If the analysis is positive, then the doctor will come to the patient again times to assess the condition of the patient and prescribe treatment. If the result is negative, there is no deterioration and there is no reason for a second visit, the doctor may not come, but the patient must spend two weeks at home. If the condition becomes worse (for example, if there was a cough, and he appeared), then you need to re-call a doctor from the clinic.”

Will I have to be hospitalized in this case?

The patient should be assessed by a physician. According to the instructions published on the mos.ru website, hospitalization is necessary if severe symptoms are observed – difficulty breathing, persistent high temperature, and if the patient belongs to risk groups (age over 65, chronic diseases, pregnancy).

A person with suspected Covid-19 will be sent to a hospital even if he lives with people at risk. In this case, his relatives must observe the self-isolation regime for 14 days after the last contact with the sick person.

Natalia: A team of infectious disease specialists arrived: they measured the temperature, measured the oxygen in the blood, they did not listen to the lungs. They suggested hospitalization, but since I already felt better, I refused. Then they gave me papers to fill out about complete self-isolation, gave out informational brochures, a sheet for self-control, told me where to go if things got worse. They promised that a doctor would come from the polyclinic – he didn’t come, then it turned out that he shouldn’t have, probably, they messed up something.

Alexey Bezymianny: “Now patients with Covid-19 in a mild form, who do not have respiratory failure, their lungs are clean, there is no pneumonia, they can be left to be treated at home. A hospital is not the most pleasant place, and if the condition is not severe and there is no need for artificial ventilation of the lungs, it is better to stay at home, since patients with a mild form of the disease in the hospital are more likely to “get heavier”. not all of them, but only in certain cases, taking into account the condition of the patients, contraindications and the risk of developing possible side effects.”

Similar rules for home treatment are also prescribed in the recommendations of the World Health Organization. The sick person, and those who live with him, must comply with sanitary standards. It is best to place the patient in a separate room, and if this is not possible, then you should try to keep a distance of at least a meter. The patient should be cared for by a relative who is not at risk, visits to friends and acquaintances should be limited until full recovery.

If I think I have coronavirus, can I drive to the hospital myself? Will I be accepted?

Alexey Bezymianny: “You shouldn’t try to self-surrender to the hospital, suspecting that you have symptoms of a coronavirus infection. If indications for hospitalization are not found, then no one will put him in the hospital: a person can be sent home or placed in an observatory. In any case, this will create difficulties for health workers – they will have to spend a lot of time, which is now expensive.”

How will I be treated at home? Who will control me?

Natalia: There is a chat with which I can communicate with the doctor – the video is messing up, but we call each other. It seems that this system is more to control that the patient is at home. Basically, they ask me how I feel, what are the symptoms – they don’t give recommendations for treatment, and what recommendations, there are no special medicines.

If it gets worse, you need to call an ambulance and go to the hospital. I feel better: almost everything has passed, but the ability to distinguish smells has disappeared – this is also a symptom of the disease. I live alone, so none of my loved ones had to isolate. I don’t leave the house: I have stocks of food, and my friends also bring and leave. I accumulate garbage at home, there is not much of it yet.

After it became clear that the doctor from the polyclinic would not come, the infectious disease team came to me again – they took the test again (on the eighth day), promised to come on the tenth. Also, every day they call from the clinic, they are interested in well-being.

A system for monitoring Covid-19 patients has been operating in Moscow since the beginning of April. A special application “Social monitoring” has been developed for them. The head of the Department of Information Technology, Eduard Lysenko, explained that the application will record the fact that the patient leaves the address of self-isolation. In addition, users will have to regularly confirm that they are near the phone – for this, the application will send notifications asking for identification using a photo. If violations are detected, the patient will be hospitalized and will not be able to continue treatment at home.