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What Is Considered A Fever—and When To Get Medical Attention
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A body temperature of 100 to 100.4 degrees is considered a fever, medically known as pyrexia, in adults. An oral temperature of 99.5 degrees or a rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees is considered a fever in a child or infant. Normal body temperature is typically 98.6 degrees.
A fever is a common COVID-19 symptom. However, the only way to know if COVID is the cause of your fever is to receive a test.
A fever is a higher-than-normal body temperature. Your average body temperature varies but is usually about 98.6 degrees. Some evidence suggests that the average body temperature has dropped to 97.9 degrees over the last two centuries. A fever may be different in adults, children, and infants: Adults Children (rectally) Children (orally) Children (axillary) Infants (rectally) 100 to 100.4 degrees 100.4 degrees 99.5 degrees 99 degrees 100.4 degrees What Is a Low-Grade Fever? A low-grade fever is a body temperature above normal but not above or just barely above the fever threshold. A low-grade fever typically ranges between 99.1 and 100.4 degrees in adults and children. A low-grade fever in infants, which is slightly elevated but not quite 100.4 degrees, may be a sign of a mild infection. Fever symptoms typically depend on how high your body temperature is. Fevers can be cyclical, meaning they go up and down. You may begin to sweat when a fever breaks or comes down. Some of the most common signs and symptoms of a fever include: Chills Flushed skin that is warm to the touch Increased heart rate Muscle spasms Sweating (e.G., night sweats) Infants and children may show other signs and symptoms of a fever, such as: A lack of appetite Earache (e.G., a child may pull at their ears) Fussiness, high-pitching crying, and whimpering Painful, swollen joints Pale skin Severe headache Skin rash Sore throat Swollen soft spot on an infant's head Upset stomach A fever is not a disease but typically means your body is fighting an infection. Bacteria and viruses that cause infections thrive at normal body temperature. A fever results from your body trying to get rid of the invader by making your body an inhospitable environment for it. A fever starts an immune response, which defends you against the invader. Autoimmune disorders, early-stage cancer, heat illness, and some medicines (i.E., antibiotics) may also cause a fever. Children sometimes develop a low-grade fever after getting a vaccine. A fever may be present if you are hot to the touch, feel feverish, have chills and flushed skin, or look glassy-eyed. The best diagnostic tool for determining if you have a fever is a body temperature reading using a digital or electronic forehead thermometer. To take your temperature orally: Clean your thermometer with cool water and soap or rubbing alcohol Place the thermometer under your tongue, then close your mouth. Hold it in place using your lips. Do not bite down on the probe. Keep the thermometer in your mouth for three minutes or until it beeps Clean your thermometer once you are finished You can take your temperature axillary by placing the thermometer under your armpit for five minutes. Other methods include electronic ear thermometers and plastic strips that change colors if you have a fever. These methods are typically less accurate than a digital thermometer. Infants and Children Take an infant or young child's temperature rectally (in their bottom) since they cannot hold a digital thermometer firmly in their mouths. Keep a separate digital thermometer for rectal temperatures and label it as such. You can also take a child's temperature axillary or orally. To take a rectal temperature: Clean your thermometer with cool water and soap or rubbing alcohol Apply petroleum jelly to the probe of the thermometer Lay your infant or child across your lap and on their stomach Place the thermometer about half an inch into your infant or child's rectum, stopping if there's resistance Keep the thermometer still while it takes the temperature. Remove it after three minutes or once it beeps. Clean your thermometer once you are finished Do not bundle up an infant or child in blankets or clothing or bathe them before taking their temperature. You may raise their body temperature, resulting in an inaccurate reading. Do not leave an infant or child alone with a digital thermometer, which may be a choking hazard. A slightly elevated body temperature is not typically a cause for concern. You may want to take steps to lower, rather than suppress, your fever. Here are a few things you can do to help make yourself comfortable while the fever runs its course: Avoid bundling up in blankets or excess clothing Do not force food if you or your child do not have an appetite, but eat if you are hungry Get plenty of rest Keep your room comfortable. Use a fan to cool down the room if it's too hot. Stay hydrated with gelatin, ice pops, soup, and water Take fever reducers like Advil (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen). Follow the instructions on the label for using fever reducers. Do not give Advil to an infant younger than 6 months or aspirin to a child younger than 18. Follow the label instructions to give your infant or child the correct amount of medicine. Contact a healthcare provider if your infant is younger than 3 months before you give them medicine. Use a device, such as a syringe, to measure how much liquid medicine to give your child. You may give your child Children's Tylenol and then give them a warm bath. Without medicine first, a bath may cause shivers and raise your child's temperature. In certain cases, you may need to contact a healthcare provider about your fever. Reach out to a healthcare provider if: You have a fever of 105 degrees or higher, unless it comes down easily with home treatment and you are comfortable You have a fever persistently at 103 degrees or a fever that continues to rise above 103 degrees Your fever persists for longer than 48 to 72 hours Contact a healthcare provider if your infant or child: Is 12 months or older and has a 105-degree or higher fever that does not go away with home remedies Is 3 months or younger with a rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher Is 3 to 12 months with a 102.2-degree or higher fever Is 2 years or younger with a fever that does not go away after 24 to 48 hours Is older than 2 years with a fever longer than 48 to 72 hours Call a healthcare provider right away if you or your infant or child have: A cough, earache, or sore throat (for infants and children) A fever that comes and goes for one week or longer A weak immune system (i.E., due to cancer treatment or spleen removal) An underlying health condition (i.E., a chronic lung problem, diabetes, and heart disease) New bruises or rash Pain while urinating Recently been vaccinated (for infants and children) Recently traveled abroad A fever is typically a sign of an illness or infection, such as COVID. Healthcare providers generally consider a body temperature of 100 to 100.4 degrees a fever in adults. Infants and children have a fever if they have an oral temperature of 99.5 degrees or a rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees. Mild fevers typically resolve with home remedies, like getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated. However, follow recommendations, depending on your or your child's age and severity and duration of the fever, for when to reach out to a healthcare provider.Thanks for your feedback!
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What Is A Low-grade Fever? How To Know If You're Sick And When To See A Doctor
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By clicking "Sign Up", you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You can opt-out at any time by visiting our Preferences page or by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of the email.Many illnesses can cause a fever, which is when your body temperature rises over 100.4°F. In some cases, your body temperature may be elevated, but not quite as high as a fever. This is often referred to as a "low-grade fever" although it does not technically meet the definition of a fever.
Most of the time, low-grade fevers aren't a reason to worry. Many everyday ailments can cause a low-grade fever, including an ear infection or stomach bug. In rare cases, you can also have a low-grade fever with more serious infections.
Here's what you need to know about how to treat low-grade fevers and when you need to see a doctor.
What is a low-grade fever?A low-grade fever is a body temperature that runs somewhere between your normal body temperature and 100.4°F, says Troy Madsen, MD, a professor of emergency medicine at the University of Utah.
However, there is some debate in the medical field about the exact body temperature that counts as a fever. "The definition may vary between 100.4 and 100.5 depending on the medical provider and the institution," Madsen says.
There is also some debate about the existence of a low-grade fever. While some providers accept the definition of a low-grade fever as anything between normal body temperature and 100.4°F, other providers believe that your temperature must be above 100.4°F to even count as a fever.
Your body temperature can shift based on factors like your age or the time of day, but for most people, a normal temperature falls anywhere between 97 and 99°F.
But when you get sick, your body heats up and develops a fever to make it harder for any disease cells to survive in your body. A low-grade fever can be a sign of an infection beginning in your body.
What causes a low-grade fever?"The same infections which cause a typical fever may cause a low-grade fever, particularly if it's in the early stages of the infection," Madsen says.
Some infections that can cause a low-grade fever include:
If you have a severe infection like meningitis, your fever generally won't stay at the low-grade level for long. "In most cases, a serious infection will progress from a low-grade fever to a temperature of 100.5°F or greater within a day," Madsen says.
But infections aren't the only cause of low-grade fevers. There are several other reasons you may run a low-grade fever, such as:
In these situations, a rise in body temperature is a normal response and usually isn't a cause for concern, Madsen says. Along with a low-grade fever, you might sweat, have slight chills, develop a headache, or have a flushed face.
But if your low-grade fever comes with symptoms like extreme fatigue or confusion, this may be a cause for concern, Madsen says.
How to treat a low-grade feverA low-grade fever in itself isn't necessarily a reason to worry, Madsen says, because a slightly higher temperature won't hurt your body.
But low-grade fevers can come with some uncomfortable symptoms that you may want to treat. "For example, you may have the early stages of a cold or the flu and have a low-grade fever with body aches and a sore throat," Madsen says.
Taking a dose of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen can help treat these symptoms and bring your temperature down as well. However, it's not necessary to take any medications unless your fever rises over 102°F.
If your low-grade fever is due to overheating, putting on loose-fitting clothing, resting in a cool space, or taking a cold shower may help bring your body down to a normal temperature.
No matter what is causing your fever, it's important to drink plenty of fluids. A low-grade fever generally won't cause severe dehydration, but you lose fluids more easily when your body temperature is higher. Drinking cold fluids can also help lower your body temperature.
It's also important to keep monitoring your temperature to see if it rises above 100.5 degrees and becomes an actual fever. You can take your temperature using a thermometer orally, rectally, or in your armpit.
When to see a doctor"A low-grade fever in itself doesn't necessarily mean you need to see a doctor," Madsen says, "But if you're having other symptoms plus an elevated body temperature it may be a good time to call your doctor."
Be on the lookout for symptoms of an infection, as a bacterial infection may need to be treated with antibiotics. Madsen advises that some symptoms to look out for are:
For most adults and children, you should call your doctor if your temperature rises above 103°F. If you have an infant under 3 months old, you should call the doctor if their temperature rises above 100.4°F.
In very rare cases, people may run low-grade fevers for weeks or months, Madsen says. You shouldn't ignore this symptom, as it can be a sign of a cancer like lymphoma.
"If your body temperature just seems to be abnormally high over a longer period of time, it's a good idea to check in with your doctor, particularly if you're experiencing unexplained weight loss or extreme fatigue," Madsen says.
Insider's takeawayA low-grade fever is a body temperature between 99 and 100.5°F. In most cases, a low-grade fever isn't anything to worry about and you can get relief from any symptoms by taking ibuprofen or drinking cold water.
However, if your fever keeps rising or you develop any unusual symptoms, reach out to your doctor to check that you don't have an infection or any other serious medical issue.
Related articles from Health Reference:Is Low Grade Fever A Symptom Of COVID-19?
Disclaimer: This article should not be taken as medical adviceFevers are common and can happen for a variety of reasons at different severity levels.
According to the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a person with temperature at or above 100.4 fahrenheit or 38 degree Celsius is considered to have a fever.
What causes low grade fever or possible reasons behind low grade fever?
Low grade fevers can occur for several reasons and may be accompanied by other symptoms. According to late renowned cardiologist, K K Aggarwal, low grade fever can be caused due to cold, flu, COVID-19, tuberculosis (TB), exertion or tiredness.
He further said, "When we have low grade fever which is persistent, then we look for COVID-19 and TB. Low grade fever can happen in TB as well and can last upto 6 months. It is very rare that you might have low grade fever due to major diseases like cancer or TB and now COVID-19 also."
"In COVID-19, the low grade fever can last upto 3 months. Nowadays, this is very common especially after COVID," said Aggarwal in one of his videos posted on his Youtube channel.
Fevers can occur more often in those who suffer from flus than in those who suffer from colds. However, fevers that occur during colds are more likely to be low-grade fevers, whereas fevers that occur with the flu can be low-grade or more severe.
Possible signs and symptoms of low-grade fever
The easiest way to determine if you have a low-grade fever — or any fever — is to simply take your temperature.
However, in addition to a raised temperature, there are other signs of fever, as per Vicks, an American medications brand —
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