Health Topics for Prepare for Emergencies

Department of Emergency Medicine

Emergency Medical Services Learning Resources Center

Fever

A fever is an abnormally high body temperature. Fever may occur for many reasons. Fever is measured using a thermometer.

There are three categories of fever, as measured orally:

• LOW: 100 to102 degrees Fahrenheit, or 37.7 to 38.8 degrees Centigrade,

• MODERATE: 102 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, or 38.8 to 40 degrees Centigrade,

• HIGH: above 105 degrees Fahrenheit, or above 40.5 degrees Centigrade,

Contact a healthcare provider if any of the following conditions develop:

• temperature over 105 degrees Fahrenheit

• lower temperature (100 to 102 degrees) that lasts more than 2 days

• fever accompanied by severe headache, stiff neck, or pain when bending the neck forward

• bright lights are uncomfortable or cause pain

• mental confusion or drowsiness

• seizure, convulsions, or fits

• coughing yellow or green phlegm, or shortness of breath

• swelling of the throat

• other signs of infection, such as a painful joint, burning on urination, or abdominal pain

Adults may treat a temperature by giving aspirin. Children should be given acetaminophen or ibuprofen instead of aspirin, because of the risk of Reye's Syndrome. Heat is lost through the skin, so do not bundle up under blankets. A cool shower or bath may help. Take particular care when dealing with a temperature in an infant or small child.

Here are some general guidelines for children:

• Contact a healthcare provider for any temperature elevation in an infant 3 months of age or younger.

• Seek medical attention for a temperature elevation in a child who acts ill.

• For fever less than 102 degrees in a child, treat by giving acetaminophen or ibuprofen, making sure that the child drinks plenty of cold fluids and remains cool.

• For higher temperatures, contact a health professional and begin active cooling measures. Undress the child. Sponge the child's body with tepid (room temperature) water, or place in a tepid bath. Do not try to cool a child with ice or alcohol.

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