Fever Types : When to Call the Doctor

• by 13CURE
• Dec 24, 2019
• General Health

A fever is a body temperature that is higher than normal. It’s your body’s immune response because of a foreign invader. Any time a bacteria, virus, or other antigen gets into your body, the immune system goes to work to kill it. Fever symptoms are actually a sign that your body is trying to heal you. If a fever doesn’t get too high, it is beneficial and helps keep you healthy.

Most often, we think of fevers as something that happen to children when they have a cold or flu. But adults get fevers, and some are a lot more serious than others. In children and adults, the type of fever determines whether you should call the doctor.

When Is It a Fever?

Many people mistakenly believe that everyone’s normal body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C). This number is actually an average that might be lower or higher than your normal body temperature. If your temperature is normally around 97°F (36.1°C), a temperature of 99°F (37°C) might feel a lot more uncomfortable than someone with a normal body temperature of 98°F (37°C).

The seriousness of a fever also depends on the person’s age. Medically, any person isn’t considered to have a serious fever unless it goes above 100.4°F (38°C). Any child under the age of three months with any temperature that is higher than normal should see a doctor. You can usually wait until the next day as long as the temperature doesn’t get any higher. Babies can’t tell you if they have other symptoms besides the fever. Any infant who is younger than six weeks old should see a doctor immediately.

Parents often face challenges in deciding when to take their infants to the doctor for a fever. The condition might occur in the middle of the night or during the weekend. In the youngest patients, a fever might be the sign of something serious. Don’t ever put off getting immediate medical attention for your infant because the fever occurs after office hours. It’s better to get professional care from an experienced physician now instead of waiting until their paediatrician is in.

When to Call a Doctor for a Fever in Adults

Adults don’t usually require medical treatment for a fever unless it reaches 103°F or 39.4°C or higher. Most fevers go away on their own or with treatment within a few days. You might experience other symptoms along with the fever, depending on its cause. For example:

• Chills & Shivering
• Sweating
• Muscle Aches
• Headache
• Loss of Appetite
• Vomiting
• General Weakness
• Dehydration
• Irritability

These are common symptoms of flu and other viruses. In healthy adults whose temperature never exceeds 103°C, the temperature and other symptoms should resolve within a few days. However, those who have existing health conditions should see a physician to prevent complications and rule out any serious causes.

Also, experiencing severe throat swelling, headache, a stiff neck, chest pain, rash, or vomiting that lasts for more than three days is a reason for concern.

The Three Major Types of Fever

There are three major types of fever:

• Sustained or Continuous : A continuous or sustained fever is one that doesn’t fluctuate by more than 1°C or 1.5°F over a 24-hour period while also not falling to normal.
• Intermittent : An intermittent fever only occurs over a period of several hours during the day.
• Remittent : A remittent fever is one that fluctuates in excess of 2°C without ever falling to normal.

The type of fever you have, gives your doctor a clue as to the cause. You should take your temperature regularly and keep a record of when it and other symptoms occur. If your condition worsens or doesn’t go away, this information will help your doctor diagnose the cause of your symptoms faster.

How to Take a Temperature

There are several types of thermometers available today for taking temperatures. You can measure the temperature on the forehead, under the tongue, in the ear, or with a rectal thermometer. You should keep a thermometer for any time someone in the family has a fever. Never trust that placing your arm against their forehead is a reliable predictor of their condition.

Always take an infant’s temperature using a rectal thermometer. The guidelines for determining when an infant has a serious fever is based on rectal temperature readings.

Lay your baby on their tummy and use a dab of petroleum jelly on the end of the thermometer. Insert the lubricated end about 1.3 to 2.5 cm into their rectum. Hold the bulb in place while trying to keep your baby still for three minutes. Always keep a firm grip on the thermometer.

Most fevers in infants aren’t serious, but there are some additional symptoms that are a reason for worry. If your baby is irritable or listless or vomits repeatedly, complains with a stomachache or headache, or has any other feelings of discomfort, seek medical attention immediately.

A fever shouldn’t last longer than three days. If your baby’s fever continues and/or they are listless and have poor eye contact, see a doctor right away.

Other Problematic Symptoms in Adults

Fever symptoms are more of a concern in infants and small children than adults. Still, there are some additional symptoms that might signal a more serious condition.
These include:

• Severe headache
• Stiff neck and/or pain when you bend forward
• Chest pain
• Difficult breathing
• Sensitivity to light
• Skin rash, especially one that worsens
• Persistent vomiting
• Convulsions or seizures

Why You Shouldn’t Wait a Fever Out

Fevers of 103°F (40°C) are high. The problem is that when you decide to tough it out until the fever breaks, it might go even higher. Those that reach 104°F (40°C) or higher are dangerous and require prompt medical treatment. When a fever goes higher, it can cause convulsions and death.

The problem with fevers in children and adults is that you don’t know for certain what causes them. Treating temperatures in healthy people isn’t always a good idea. It can reduce the body’s ability to fight the infection.

In children, vaccinations can cause fever without causing illness. A child who has a fever but isn’t experiencing any signs of discomfort are probably okay. But most parents aren’t comfortable making the decision about whether their child’s fever is serious. Too often, adults put off getting advice on their conditions and those of their children because it happens at an inconvenient time.

13Cure gives you more options to get trusted medical care when you need it. Our doctors are the very best in their respective fields, and they provide the urgent care you need at night, over the weekend, and even during holidays. Contact us to learn more about our services and how we provide peace of mind.