How to Tell if You Have a Fever

Diagnosing Fever

Take your temperature if you have a thermometer. If your temperature is 103°F (39.4°C) or lower, try to treat the fever at home, seeing whether it responds to at-home care. If it's 104°F or higher, call emergency services or go straight to the emergency room; you may need immediate medical attention. If your temperature has been 103 °F (39 °C) for at least 3 days, call your doctor.

Try to feel the skin of the person in question. If the person's skin feels very hot to the touch, they are likely running a fever. Using this method, though, it's going to be hard to tell whether your temperature is at 98.7 °F (37.1 °C) or at 101.2 °F (38.4 °C). If the person feels hot to the touch, look for other symptoms or pick up a thermometer from a drug store to see if medical intervention may be necessary.

Check for signs of dehydration. A fever happens when your body raises its internal temperature in order to ward off harmful infections, viruses, or other maladies. Some research has even found that certain immune cells work better at these elevated temperatures. It's a natural defense mechanism. One significant result of this switching on of the body's heat switch is that patients can get or feel dehydrated. Signs that you may be dehydrated include: Dry mouth Thirst Headache and fatigue Dry skin Constipation Dehydration can be made even worse if it is accompanied by vomiting or diarrhea. If you've experienced any one of these, especially, be sure to drink plenty of fluids to compensate for their loss. If you're struggling to drink fluids, try eating ice chips.

Check for muscle aches. In many cases, muscle aches are associated with dehydration, but they can be especially aggravating in a patient with the fever. Note: If your fever presents with back or muscle stiffness, call a doctor right away, as your condition may be related to a number of complications including kidney issues or bacterial meningitis, which can potentially cause brain damage.

Look for especially bad signs of a fever. If your fever is at or above 104°F (40°C), you could experience some of the following in addition to hot flashes, dehydration, headaches, muscle aches, and general weakness. If you do experience any of the following, or have cause to believe that your fever is above 104°F, see a doctor immediately: Hallucination Confusion or irritability Convulsions or seizures

When in doubt, see a doctor. If you are dealing with a child who potentially has a fever, and whose temperature clocks in at higher than 103°F (39.4°C), see a doctor. In most cases, treating mild or moderate fevers at home is completely acceptable; in few cases, the underlying reason for the fever may demand serious medical attention. If you have a high fever or if your symptoms impact your ability to function, call a friend or family member and ask them to escort you to the doctor's office. It's not worth the risk of trying to get yourself there when you're in a compromised state.

Getting Basic Treatment for Fever

Understand that for low-grade (mild) fevers, some doctors recommend letting the fever run its course. A fever is a body's natural response to a foreign body. Breaking the fever before the body has had time to attack the foreign body may prolong the illness or mask other symptoms associated with the fever.

Take an OTC pain medication. An over-the-counter pain medication, like an NSAID or acetaminophen, can help reduce a fever. Often, low doses of NSAIDs produce good results. Aspirin is for adults only. Aspirin given to children has been linked to a dangerous condition called Reye's Syndrome. It is therefore advisable only to administer aspirin as an adult. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) are acceptable substitutes for all ages. If your temperature remains high even after the recommended dose, don't take more; instead, consult a doctor.

Drink plenty of fluids. Drinking enough fluids can help decrease your fever. Fluids are essential for fevers because they reduce the risk of dehydration, a serious concern during fevers. Stick mostly to water if experiencing a fever. Sodas and teas, in moderation, may help calm the stomach. Try to eat lukewarm soups and other liquid broths in addition to more solid foods. Popsicles may also help, and provide a cooling sensation in the process. Dehydration may exacerbate a fever if left untreated.