Fever Temperature

Even though fever is such a common problem, there are many people who want to know what body temperature constitutes a fever.

Many people are heard asking doctors “what is a fever temperature?”, as they are not sure if they or someone in their family are within the fever range. The fever temperature range adults is between 99.6 degrees F and 103 degrees F, (anything above that is regarded high fever). Infants have a higher body temperature and so infant fever temperature is a little higher and ranges between 100 degrees F and 104 degrees F. It is not difficult to get a fever temperature chart from various resources, which could also include online websites.

Fever Symptoms

There are several fever symptoms in adults and children that can help people realize that they may be suffering from this affliction without even checking one’s temperature. However, there are several adults and in some cases children too who may not really experience any symptoms, in spite of suffering from the condition. Some of the most common fever symptoms in children and adults include general weakness, headaches, sweating, dehydration, muscle ache and shivering. In case the fever symptoms in children include vomiting and listlessness, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.  

High fever symptoms include the ones mentioned above and perhaps a few more, like convulsions, febrile seizures, confusion, irritability and hallucinations and so on. In case adults or children experience symptoms such as pain and stiffness in the neck, especially while bending forward, skin rash, headaches, chest pain, breathing difficulty, sensitivity to bright light, and throat swelling that is severe, it is important to seek emergency medical care. Cramping is one of the most common fever symptoms in pregnancy and although fever and cramping are not necessarily symptoms of a serious health condition, it is best to consult your obstetrician immediately.  

Fever Causes

There are many different low grade fever causes, some of which could be a major cause for concern. In some cases, a low grade fever is an indication of conditions like mumps, dengue fever, myositis, flu, typhoid, leukemia, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), scarlet fever, chicken pox, allergies, sinusitis, rheumatoid arthritis, mononucleosis, hepatitis and wound infections, to name a few. Hence, as soon as low grade fever is seen, it is important to consult a doctor and identify its causes.

Similarly, there are over 80 different health conditions that can cause people to suffer from high fever. Some of the most common high fever causes include flu, Reye’s syndrome, roseola, meningococcal disease, hepatitis, sinusitis, measles, HIV, tuberculosis and autoimmune diseases.

Some of the conditions that cause a high fever or low grade fever can be a bit of a concern, it is best to consult a doctor in case rather of the conditions persist for more than  a day.
 

Fever Treatment

The treatment of fever may vary on the type as well as the factors that are causing the problem. If the fever is a symptom of the common cold, then cold fever treatment would be advisable as this will help to target the fever as well as the cold which is the root cause of the problem.  There are many over the counter medicines available for cold fever treatment, but most people prefer using home remedies, like oranges, grapefruit juice, tea made from fenugreek seeds, just to name a few.

Home remedies for fever are especially useful in baby fever treatment, as most parents are worried about the side effects associated with traditional medicine. Nevertheless, self-treatment should be discouraged and it is important to first consult a doctor. First of all, the baby should be given a lot of fluids at frequent intervals. This could also include homemade fruit juice, which can give the child strength to fight off the infection. Saline nasal drops and a humidifier are also important when it comes to baby fever treatment.

High fever treatment in babies or even adults should be monitored and administered by a doctor at all times.

What is a high fever?

Fever or pyrexia is the significant elevation of body temperature and is generally caused by an infection or disease. Almost everyone has suffered from fever at some point or the other, as it is one of the most common afflictions affecting thousands of men, women, and children on a daily basis. Most of the time, fever is not a condition on its own but an accompanying symptom of an underlying health condition. In most cases, a slight fever is not a major cause for concern but drastically elevated body temperatures should not be ignored.  High fever in children and infants could be an indication of a serious infection and requires immediate help as a child’s immune system is weaker than that of an adult.

A slightly elevated body temperature is generally classified as a mild fever while a high body temperature is known as high fever. A mild fever may not require treatment but high fever requires immediate care as prolonged bouts of high fever can cause brain damage. High fever temperature range may vary from one person to the other, based on several factors, including age. In adults, a body temperature of 103 degrees F (39.4 degrees C) or more is regarded as high fever. Infants and babies usually have a higher body temperature as compared to adults and therefore, high fever in babies refers to a body temperature of around 104 degrees F (40 degrees C). High fever in children who are a bit older is a temperature of 103.6 degrees F (39.8 degrees C).

Some of the common high fever side effects in children include lethargy, dizziness, headaches, and pain in the joints. Other high fever side effects include loss of appetite, irritability, nausea, vomiting, and many more. Children as well as adults have been known to experience confusion, seizures, fainting spells and hallucinations. Unfortunately, some of the high fever side effects can also be permanent, especially in children. Damage to the brain is one of the side effects of high fever, which people usually worry about the most. Brain damage is not a common side effect of high fever as it occurs when the body temperature is 107.6 degrees F (42 degrees C). Many a time parents may also notice both high fever and rash in their children, as they are both symptoms of common conditions.

Many women worry about suffering from high fever during pregnancy, which is why most of them speak to their doctors about it. While it is best to seek medical advice in case of any condition during pregnancy, it is important for women to understand that not all instances of high fever during pregnancy are equally dangerous. There are many women who have suffered from high fever during the first few months of pregnancy, but have gone on to deliver healthy and normal babies. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor and start the required course of treatment as quickly as possible. 

What is a low grade fever?

Low grade fever can be described as a slight elevation in body temperature and it usually ranges between 100.4 degrees F and 102.2 degrees F. It is a rather persistent form of fever, which is characterized by bouts of shivering, colds and increased heart rate. In some cases, it could be caused by infections but in many cases, the cause for the fever remains unknown. There are quite a few health conditions, which could cause a person to experience low grade fever and its symptoms and so you would need to visit your doctor for a definite diagnosis.