Fever Causes and Treatments Questions and Answers

Body temperature fluctuates throughout the day due to the ambient temperature, time of day, person, age and activity. The normal average body temperature is generally accepted to be 98.6°F (37°C), though some studies have shown that it can range from 97°F (36.1°C) to 99°F (37.2°C). A temperature over 100.4°F (38°C) generally indicates a fever, and although these are often caused by an infection or illness, it is possible to have one without a known cause. Before taking a temperature take stock of any other symptoms that may be present, such as clamminess, fatigue or body aches and pains. The most common symptoms of a fever include:

– Headache
– Warm forehead
– Chills
– Muscle aches
– General feeling of weakness
– Sore eyes
– Loss of appetite
– Dehydration
– Swollen lymph node

Infants or young children may also experience:

– Irritability
– Lethargy
– Flushed or pale skin
– Difficulty swallowing
– Refusal to eat, drink, or breastfeed

In severe cases, a fever may cause:

– Excessive sleepiness
– Confusion
– Convulsions
– Pain elsewhere in the body
– Unusual vaginal discharge
– Dysuria (pain during urination)
– Skin rashes
– Nausea and/or vomiting
– Diarrhea

Fevers are usually categorised based on their duration and how high the temperature reaches. The five main types of fever are:

Intermittent fever: fluctuates between normal and fever temperatures over the course of the day.
Remittent fever: comes and goes and, although the temperature fluctuates, never completely goes back to normal.
Hectic fever: an intermittent or remittent fever that has significant temperature swings throughout the day of at least 1.4 degrees Celsius between the highest and lowest readings.
Continuous fever: also known as a “sustained” fever, shows little or no change over the course of a day.
Relapsing: an intermittent fever that can return after days or weeks of normal temperatures; common with animal bites and diseases like malaria.

Treating, or breaking, a fever can take time and patience and will depend on certain factors such as the age and/or general overall health of the individual.

Examples of some steps to follow are:

– Take the temperature and assess the symptoms. A temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher indicates a fever.
– Get lots of rest.
– Stay hydrated. Drink water, iced tea, or very diluted fruit juice to replenish fluids lost through sweating.
– Sucking on ice chips is an alternative for those who are unable to keep liquids down.
– Take over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Note the proper dosage and use them carefully if taking other medications. Infants under 6 months of age should not be given ibuprofen.
– Stay cool. Remove unnecessary layers of clothing and blankets, unless you have the chills.
– Take tepid baths or use cold compresses. Don’t take cold baths, ice cube baths, or alcohol rubs as they can be dangerous and should be avoided.

Regardless of what the thermometer says, consult your doctor if you have any concerns.