A healthy adult with a small fever may seem like they’ve been hit with a Mack truck, but a baby with a high fever might often feel quite comfortable. The reverse of both situations can also take place.
Before you start reducing a fever you should ensure you have clear fever symptoms to avoid fighting with wrong disease.
Fever Symptoms and Signs
Fevers aren’t one-size-fits-all, and neither are their symptoms. Your general comfort level and symptoms can assist you choose how to treat a fever.
If you have a fever, you might experience the following symptoms:
- feeling weak or lightheaded
- anorexia nervosa
- headache
- muscle pains
- sweating
- chills
- nausea and/or vomiting
- rash
If a rash accompanies your fever, you need to speak with your doctor. It’s essential that your doctor figures out the source of the rash. Other symptoms, such as nausea or vomiting, might deal with more quickly with medical attention.
If your fever is over 103°F (39.4°C), you ought to look for instant medical attention. This is specifically true if you’re experiencing confusion, hallucinations, or convulsions.
Body Temperature During Fever
Most people have a baseline temperature of 98.6°F (37°C), although some people have a baseline that’s somewhat higher or lower. Daily temperature variations are likewise normal.
Different types of thermometers can yield different results. You’re considered to be running a fever if an oral, rectal, ear, or temporal artery (forehead) thermometer signs up 100.4°F (38°C) or greater.
If you use an axillary (armpit) thermometer, the temperature reading will be around 1°F or 1°C lower, so anything over 99.4°F (37°C) would make up a fever.
Lots of pediatricians advise using rectal thermometers for infants and babies. Go over with your doctor which type of thermometer to use. You should also be sure to let them know what type of thermometer you used to tape your child’s temperature.
How to Reduce a Fever
If you or someone you’re taking care of has a fever, follow these actions to to reduce a fever without medicine:
- Take your temperature and assess your symptoms. If your temperature runs 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, you have a fever.
- Stay in bed and rest. Keep hydrated. Drinking water, iced tea, or very diluted juice to replenish fluids lost through sweating. However if keeping liquids down is tough, draw on ice chips.
- Take non-prescription medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen to lower fever. Keep in mind the correct dosage, and do not them use together with other fever-reducing medications. You should not give aspirin to your baby or child without consulting your doctor. Infants under 6 months of age shouldn’t be given ibuprofen.
- Stay cool. Remove additional layers of clothes and blankets, unless you have the chills.
- Take tepid baths or using cold compresses to make you more comfy. Cold baths, ice baths, or rubs can be dangerous and must be prevented.
- However no matter what the number on the thermometer checks out, if you have any concerns consult your doctor.
Running a fever is the body’s action to eliminating infections triggered by viruses or bacteria. Fevers can also result from sunburn or from getting immunizations. Anybody can get a fever, no matter age. People who have jeopardized body immune systems may tend to have fevers more frequently than others do.
When to See a Doctor
How and when you must treat a fever is typically determined by your age. If left without treatment, fever can lead to major complications in young kids, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems.
Baby’s Fever
Babies as much as 3 months old ought to be seen by a doctor if they have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or above. They should still see a doctor even if there are no other symptoms present.
- Babies 3 to 6 months old might not require treatment for fevers approximately 102°F (38.9°C). If your baby has other symptoms, or their fever exceeds 102°F (38.9°C), you ought to call
your doctor. Children ages 6 months to 2 years of ages who have temperature levels at or above 102°F (38.9°C) may take OTC medications under a doctor’s guidance. Let your doctor know if the fever persists for more than a day, worsens, or doesn’t come down with medication.
Fever in a Toddler or Teenager
Children ages 2 to 17 years old normally don’t require medication to reduce fevers under 102°F (38.9°C). They may benefit from medication if they’re experiencing symptoms such as irritability or muscle pains.
If their fever goes above 102°F (38.9°C), medication may be used to bring it down. If your child is very uncomfortable, or if their fever continues for more than 3 days, you should seek advice from your doctor.
Fever in Adults
Adults 18 and over typically do not need medication for a fever under 102°F (38.9°C). Fevers above that number may be decreased by medication. If your fever goes above 103°F (39.4°C) or doesn’t respond to treatment, a call to the doctor is warranted. Adults with a fever and other symptoms, such as a stiff neck, severe pain throughout the body, or shortness of breath, ought to seek instant medical attention.
Fever in adults over age 65 doesn’t instantly require unique treatment, though you ought to be on the lookout for symptoms such as shortness of breath or confusion. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, you should look for immediate medical assistance.
You need to likewise consult with your doctor if your fever exceeds 102°F (38.9°C) or does not boil down within two days. You can attempt OTC medications, however you should make certain they will not contravene any other medications you’re taking.
Other guidelines
If you have a compromised immune system, you must seek a doctor’s care. A compromised immune system prevails in people that have HIV, cancer, or autoimmune diseases.
Fever is frequently a sign of infection. Sometimes, these infections are quick moving or difficult to treat. So if you have a compromised immune system, getting immediate medical support for fever crucial.
What I Can Do If I Have a Fever?
Running a fever is typically absolutely nothing to fret about. It’s essential to comprehend the guidelines for treating fever, specifically for children, older adults, and people with a jeopardized immune system.
If you or someone you’re looking after has a fever, you need to:
- Check your age-related symptoms of fever. Is it safe to treat this fever at home, or should you see a doctor?
- Stay hydrated. Everyone can take advantage of included electrolytes or water.
- Keep an eye on the period. Regardless of your age, if your fever hasn’t slow down in about two days, you must look for medical attention.
If you’re ever unsure of how to manage a fever, call your doctor. They can deal with you to identify the best strategy.
