Fever refers to an elevation in body temperature. Technically, any body temperature above the normal oral measurement of 98.6 F (37 C) or the normal rectal temperature of 99 F (37.2 C) is considered to be elevated. However, these are averages, and one's normal body temperature may actually be 1 F (0.6 C) or more above or below the average of 98.6 F. Body temperature can also vary up to 1 F (0.6 C) throughout the day.
Fever is not considered medically significant until body temperature is above 100.4 F (38 C). Anything above normal but below 100.4 F (38 C) is considered a low-grade fever. Fever serves as one of the body's natural defenses against bacteria and viruses which cannot live at a higher temperature. For that reason, low fevers should normally go untreated, unless accompanied by troubling symptoms.
Fever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to some disease or illness.
A child has a fever when the temperature is at or above one of these levels:
• 100.4 °F (38 °C) measured in the bottom (rectally)
• 99.5 °F(37.5 °C) measured in the mouth (orally)
• 99 °F (37.2 °C) measured under the arm (axillary)
An adult probably has a fever when the temperature is above 99 - 99.5 °F (37.2 - 37.5 °C), depending on the time of day.
Causes
Almost any infection can cause a fever. Some common infections are:
• Infections such as pneumoniapneumonia, bone infections (osteomyelitisosteomyelitis), appendicitisappendicitis, tuberculosistuberculosis, skin infectionsskin infections or cellulitiscellulitis, and meningitismeningitis
• Respiratory infections such as coldscolds or fluflu -like illnesses, sore throatssore throats, ear infectionsear infections, sinus infectionssinus infections, infectious mononucleosisinfectious mononucleosis, and bronchitisbronchitis
• Urinary tract infectionsUrinary tract infections
• Viral gastroenteritisViral gastroenteritis and bacterial gastroenteritisbacterial gastroenteritis
Children may have a low-grade fever for 1 or 2 days after some immunizationsimmunizations.
TeethingTeething may cause a slight increase in a child's temperature, but not higher than 100 °F.
Autoimmune or inflammatory disorders may also cause fevers. Some examples are:
• ArthritisArthritis or connective tissue illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritisrheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosussystemic lupus erythematosus
• Ulcerative colitisUlcerative colitis and Crohn's diseaseCrohn's disease
• VasculitisVasculitis or periarteritis nodosaperiarteritis nodosa
The first symptom of a cancercancer may be a fever. This is especially true of Hodgkin's diseaseHodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphomanon-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and leukemialeukemia.
Other possible causes of fever include:
• Blood clotsBlood clots or thrombophlebitisthrombophlebitis
• Medications, such as some antibiotics, antihistamines, and seizure medicines
Home Care
A simple cold or other viral infection can sometimes cause a high fever (102 - 104 °F, or 38.9 - 40 °C). This does not usually mean you or your child have a serious problem. Some serious infections may cause no fever or even a very low body temperature, especially in infants.
If the fever is mild and you have no other problems, you do not need treatment. Drink fluids and rest.
The illness is probably not serious if your child:
• Is still interested in playing
• Is eating and drinking well
• Is alert and smiling at you
• Has a normal skin color
• Looks well when their temperature comes down
Take steps to lower a fever if you or your child is uncomfortable, vomiting, dried out (dehydrated), or not sleeping well. Remember, the goal is to lower, not eliminate, the fever.
When trying to lower a fever:
• Do NOT bundle up someone who has the chills.
• Remove excess clothing or blankets. The room should be comfortable, not too hot or cool. Try one layer of lightweight clothing, and one lightweight blanket for sleep. If the room is hot or stuffy, a fan may help.
• A lukewarm bath or sponge bath may help cool someone with a fever. This is especially effective after medication is given -- otherwise the temperature might bounce right back up.
• Do NOT use cold baths, ice, or alcohol rubs. These cool the skin, but often make the situation worse by causing shivering, which raises the core body temperature.
Here are some guidelines for taking medicine to lower a fever:
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) help reduce fever in children and adults. Sometimes doctors advise you to use both types of medicine.
• Take acetaminophen every 4 - 6 hours. It works by turning down the brain's thermostat.
• Take ibuprofen every 6 - 8 hours. DO NOT use ibuprofen in children younger than 6 months old.
• Aspirin is very effective for treating fever in adults. DO NOT give aspirin to a child unless your child's doctor tells you to.
• Know how much you or your child weighs, and then always check the instructions on the package.
• In children under age 3 months, call your doctor first before giving medicines.
Eating and drinking with a fever:
• Everyone, especially children, should drink plenty of fluids. Water, popsicles, soup, and gelatin are all good choices.
• Do not give too much fruit or apple juice and avoid sports drinks in younger children.
• Although eating foods with a fever is fine, do not force foods.
Fever Facts
Fever occurs when the body's internal "thermostat" raises the body temperature above its normal level. This thermostat is found in the part of the brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus knows what temperature your body should be (usually around 98.6° Fahrenheit or 37° Celsius) and will send messages to your body to keep it that way.
Most people's body temperatures even change a little bit during the course of the day: It's usually a little lower in the morning and a little higher in the evening and can fluctuate as kids run around, play, and exercise.
Sometimes, though, the hypothalamus will "reset" the body to a higher temperature in response to an infection, illness, or some other cause. So, why does the hypothalamus tell the body to change to a new temperature? Researchers believe turning up the heat is the body's way of fighting the germs that cause infections and making the body a less comfortable place for them
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