Fever and Body Temperatures - What You Need to Know

1. Fever and Body Temperatures: What You Need to Know For an adult, the normal body temperature can lie between 97° F and 99° F. However, children may have a bit higher range, i.e., between 97.9° F and 100.4° F. Besides that, your temperature does not remain the same throughout the day. It depends upon how active you are, what time of the day or night it is, what have you consumed recently, and what your age is. Fever is a condition in which your body temperature goes above normal. This can be a symptom of any disease or a side effect of medicines you may consume. Many over-the-counter medicines for fever are available in the market but it is better to leave the condition untreated if it’s not severe. This is because fever can be a sign that your body is fighting some infection. When is Fever considered serious? In infants, consult your doctor if:  When the rectal temperature of your baby below the age of 3 months is 100.4° F or more.  When the rectal temperature of your baby aged between 3 to 6 months is 102° F or more with other symptoms like lethargy and irritability.  When the rectal temperature of your baby aged between 6 to 24 months is 102° F or more and lasts for more than a day with other symptoms like cough and lethargy. In children, consult your doctor if:

2. Your child has a fever (a body temperature greater than 101° F) for more than three days. Your child has a body temperature of more than 101° F with other symptoms like vomiting and headaches. In adults, consult your doctor if you have a severe fever (a body temperature of more than 103° F) with symptoms including any or all of the following:  Severe headache  Skin rash  Sensitivity to bright light  Mental confusion  Vomiting  Difficulty in breathing In patients administering strong medicines, consult your doctor if you constantly get a high body temperature after using prescription medicines for chronic diseases. Fever in cancer, arthritis, lung infections, HIV infection, and other such conditions can be a serious problem if not treated.   Treating Fever at Home Fever, if not severe, can be treated at home using over-the-counter drugs like:  Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)  Ibuprofen (Motrin)  Aspirin  Naproxen Besides medicines, you must look after proper hydration. Drink plenty of fluids (excluding alcohol) to stay hydrated and recover fast. Take proper rest and avoid exercising. Keep your room temperature cool and wear light clothes. Consult your doctor if you experience severe symptoms with a high fever. It can be a medical emergency. Source: http://writeus.me/fever-and-body-temperatures-what-you-need-to-know/