When the body detects foreign invaders like viruses and bacteria, it launches a counterattack to prevent them from spreading. The immune system has several arsenals to combat this, and increasing the core body temperature is one of them. That is known as a fever.
Fever is a common reaction to a variety of diseases. There are many possible causes, which is why fever treatment focuses on the patient’s symptoms. Through proper diagnosis, a doctor will find the best way to help the person recover from the underlying cause of the fever.
Fever Is a Symptom
Fever is not a disease but a symptom that tells you something is wrong. However, a fever does not specify what the exact problem is. It can be a viral or bacterial infection. Allergic reactions to food and medicine can also cause a fever. Sometimes, even playing under the sun for too long can increase your body temperature.
To determine the cause of a fever, you need to look at other symptoms that come along with it. Do you have an itchy throat, cough, runny nose, or body aches? That can indicate the flu.
Fever Symptoms
The primary fever symptom is your body temperature. The normal range is between 97.5°F to 98.9°F or 36.4°C to 37.2°C. Your reading is usually lower in the morning and higher in the evenings. The generally accepted temperature that indicates a fever starts at 100.4°F or 38°C.
High fevers can be accompanied by seizures, chills, and confusion, especially among children. Other symptoms commonly associated with fever are:
- Hot and dry skin
- Flushed or pale face
- Lower than the usual output of urine
- Dark-colored urine
- Loss of appetite
- Body aches
- Nausea, headaches, and vomiting
How to Diagnose a Fever
The rise in body temperature is the main fever symptom, so that is where the diagnosis starts. If you suspect your child or someone near you has a fever, you can feel their skin with the back of your hand to check if they are hotter than usual. You can then use a digital thermometer to determine their actual reading.
Fever Treatment
A mild fever is your body’s response to infections. However, it can be uncomfortable, with high temperatures potentially leading to complications. To address this, doctors recommend taking antipyretics to help lower the body’s temperature.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs can help reduce your fever as well. Examples of this include ibuprofen and acetaminophen. But the best fever treatment is to concentrate on the cause. You can visit your doctor to perform other tests to determine your condition, so you get proper treatment.
Fever Treatment at PRESNow 24/7 Urgent and Emergency Care
There are times when you need to rush to emergency medical services to address a fever. These circumstances commonly involve children. A fever is a cause for concern in toddlers. You will need to visit or call a doctor if your baby shows temperatures above 100.4°F.
Other conditions for both children and adults that merit immediate medical attention include:
- Fevers persisting for over three days
- Vomiting
- Seizures that accompany the fever
- Rashes
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pains
- Difficulty swallowing even liquids
- Profuse sweating that can lead to dehydration
- Mental confusion
- Severe headaches
Unlike most ERs or urgent care centers in the area, PRESNow 24/7 Urgent and Emergency Care in Albuquerque, patients are only billed for the level of services they need. The ER and urgent care are open 24 hours a day, every day. No appointment is required for in-person visits.
PRESNow 24/7 Urgent and Emergency Care has four convenient locations:
- PRESNow 24/7 Urgent and Emergency Care Paseo/San Pedro is located at 6400 Paseo Del Norte Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113, and may be reached at 505-596-2100.
- PRESNow 24/7 Urgent and Emergency Care Coors/Western Trail is located at 4515 Coors Blvd. NW Albuquerque, NM 87120, and may be reached at 505-596-2200.
- PRESNow 24/7 Urgent and Emergency Care Isleta/Rio Bravo is located at 3436 Isleta Blvd SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105, and may be reached at 505-596-2300.
- PRESNow 24/7 Urgent and Emergency Care Menaul/Pennsylvania is located at 7400 Menaul Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110, and may be reached at 505-596-2400.
