Fever: When to Worry



When it comes to fever, it is important to know when you should worry and when you should simply let the fever run its course. A fever is a sign that your body is fighting off an infection or illness, and in most cases, it is a natural way for your body to heal itself.

For adults and children over the age of three months, doctors generally recommend not worrying about a fever until it reaches 103°F (39.4°C). At this temperature, medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be taken to reduce the fever and help alleviate any discomfort that may come along with it.

It's also important to pay attention to other symptoms that may accompany a high fever. If you experience severe headaches, difficulty breathing, chest pain or confusion along with your high temperature then seek medical attention as soon as possible. These could be signs of something more serious than just an infection or illness and require immediate medical attention.

If your child has a high fever (over 102°F/38.9°C) then contact their pediatrician immediately for advice on how best to treat the situation. Most pediatricians will advise parents not to give their child any medication unless instructed by them first as some medications can cause more harm than good in certain situations.

In general though, if you have an adult with a mild-to-moderate fever (under 103°F/39.4°C) then there's no need for alarm—just make sure they get plenty of rest and stay hydrated while their body fights off whatever infection they have contracted!

Tags:

fever, 103°F (39.4°C), ibuprofen, acetaminophen, severe headaches, difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, 102°F/38.9°C, mild-to-moderate fever, rest, hydrated,

Topics