With the emergence of COVID-19 came a newfound fear of high body temperatures (high fevers). A fever is one of the main signs that there’s something off in your body. Our immune systems create fevers to fight infections. Some fevers are only mild while others may be a cause for concern and a sign of major health issues. So, how do you know when it’s time to go to the doctor if you have a fever?
Fevers And When To See A Doctor
When it’s time to see a doctor based on your age
When and if you should see a doctor for fevers may be entirely dependent on your age.
High Fever in Infants
A fever in an infant should be treated more seriously than a fever in an adult. According to the Mayo Clinic, if an infant is younger than three months with a rectal temperature greater than 100.4 F, they should make a visit to the doctor immediately.
A baby that’s three to six months with a 102 F or higher temp should be taken in to see a doctor (especially if they seem lethargic and irritable). A 6 to 24-month infant with a fever higher than 102 that lasts longer than 24 hours and also paired with other symptoms should see a doctor.
High Fever in Children
When it comes to children, if your child has a fever but remains responsive and is acting somewhat normally, this should not be cause for alarm. On the other hand, if your child is acting listless, has poor eye contact, and is experiencing vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, or stomachaches, you should call your doctor.
High Fever in Adults
In adults, if your temperature exceeds 103 F, you should seek medical attention to treat the fever. If you are experiencing other symptoms such as headaches, rashes, sensitivity, confusion, vomiting, unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain, or chest pain, it would be wise to make an appointment with your primary care physician or visit an urgent care location near you immediately.
Low-Grade vs High-Grade Fever
A fever is generally defined as a body temperature above 100.4 F. So what’s the difference between a low-grade fever and a high-grade fever?
Low-Grade Fever
A low-grade fever is between 100.4 and 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit and generally does not need to be treated with medication unless it’s taking place in an infant and if other symptoms are accompanying it.
High-Grade Fever
On the other hand, if a fever is exceeding 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit, this is considered a high-grade fever and may be a sign of a serious infection. According to OSF Healthcare, if a high-grade fever lasts more than three to five days, doesn’t respond to Tylenol or Advil, or you’re experiencing confusion, stiffness, or sensitivity, you should consider visiting an urgent care clinic.
If you’re experiencing seizures, severe abdominal pain, shortness of breath, or a severe headache with your fever, you’ll want to immediately go to the emergency room immediately.
How to Treat a Fever
The management of a fever is contingent upon its level of severity. If the fever is low-grade and unaccompanied by any other symptoms, medical intervention is generally unnecessary. Instead, getting ample bed rest and staying hydrated can often suffice in combatting a fever.
In the presence of mild symptoms, such as dehydration or general discomfort, there are several measures that can be taken to alleviate the heightened body temperature. These may include:
- Ensure the room temperature is comfortable
- Take a lukewarm bath or sponge bath
- Stay hydrated by drinking sufficient fluids
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil).
Preventative Measures
Ultimately, fevers are actually an excellent sign that our bodies are trying to fight off an infection. As scary and uncomfortable as a fever may be, it is also a useful sign that something’s off in our bodies.
Now that we’ve gone over how to know when we should seek medical attention, it’s always helpful to go over prevention tips as well. Fevers are no fun so why not try to prevent them if we can?
- Wash your hands – This has been drilled into our heads over the pandemic, however, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Teach your children to wash their hands as early as possible so it becomes second nature for them.
- Carry and use hand sanitizer with you when you don’t have access to sinks – soap and water
- Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
- Cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze
- Avoid sharing cups and eating utensils with your children and others
High-Grade vs Low-Grade Fevers: When to See a Doctor
If you or your child are experiencing a fever and you’re not quite sure if you should make a trip to your doctor, these tips should help you in that decision. Fevers themselves are not harmful (especially low-grade ones), it’s typically the symptoms that accompany them that you should be mindful of. One final note, if something feels wrong intuitively, don’t be afraid to seek out medical advice or attention.
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