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Fever or Chills, Age 12 and Older

Overview

A fever is the body's normal and healthy reaction to infection and other illnesses, both minor and serious. It helps the body fight infection. A fever is a symptom, not a disease. In most cases, having a fever means that you have a minor illness. When you have a fever, your other symptoms will help you know how serious your illness is.

Temperatures in this topic are oral temperatures. Oral temperatures are usually taken in older children and adults.

Normal body temperature

Most people have an average body temperature of about 98.6°F (37°C), measured orally (under the tongue). Your temperature may be lower in the morning and go up in the late afternoon. Your temperature may also go up when you exercise, wear too many clothes, take a hot bath, or are exposed to hot weather.

Fever temperatures

A fever is a high body temperature. A temperature of up to 102°F (39°C) can be helpful because it helps the body fight infection. Most healthy children and adults can tolerate a fever of 102°F or higher for short periods of time without problems. Children tend to have higher fevers than adults.

The degree of fever may not show how serious the illness is. With a minor illness, such as a cold, you may have a fever. But a very serious infection may cause little or no fever. It's important to look for and evaluate other symptoms along with the fever.

If you can't measure your temperature with a thermometer, you need to look for other symptoms of illness. A fever without other symptoms that lasts 3 to 4 days, comes and goes, and gradually goes down over time usually isn't a cause for concern. When you have a fever, you may feel tired, lack energy, and not eat as much as usual. High fevers aren't comfortable. But they rarely cause serious problems.

An oral temperature taken after you smoke or you drink a hot fluid may give you a false high temperature reading. After you drink or eat cold foods or fluids, your oral temperature may be falsely low.

Causes of fever

Viral infections, such as colds and flu, and bacterial infections, such as a urinary tract infection or pneumonia, often cause a fever.

Travel outside your native country can expose you to other diseases. Fevers that start after travel in other countries need to be checked by your doctor.

A fever of 102°F (39°C) or higher for 3 to 4 days is common with the flu.

If you have frequent or recurrent fevers, they may be a symptom of a more serious problem. Talk to your doctor about your fevers.

Treating a fever

In most cases, the illness that caused the fever will clear up in a few days. You usually can treat the fever at home if you are in good health and don't have any medical problems or significant symptoms with the fever. Make sure that you are taking enough foods and fluids and urinating in normal amounts.

Low body temperature

If a low body temperature is your only symptom, it's not something to worry about. If a low body temperature occurs with other symptoms, such as chills, shaking, breathing problems, or confusion, then this may be a sign of more serious illness.

Low body temperature may occur from cold exposure, shock, alcohol or drug use, or certain metabolic disorders, such as diabetes , Opens dialogor hypothyroidism, Opens dialog. A low body temperature may also occur with an infection. This is most likely in newborns, older adults, and people who are frail. An overwhelming infection, such as sepsis, may also cause an abnormally low body temperature.

Current as of: October 24, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

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