At this time of year, getting sick is really common and can cause a wide variety of symptoms. Included in that list of symptoms are fevers! While some fevers can appear without any secondary symptoms, some can make you feel even sicker than before.

Not all fevers need to be treated with intervention or medication, and in most cases, they are actually doing a good thing in our bodies to help us heal. Check out our latest blog all about fevers from our AFC Urgent Care Knoxville team below.

What Is Causing my Fever?

Fevers can be caused by many different illnesses or situations! In each case, your body has recognized an invader of some sort and reacts by raising your body temperature above its normal 98.6 degrees. An official fever diagnosis is 100.4 degrees because our body temperatures naturally fluctuate a little bit all day long.

Remember, the rise in body temperature is helping you! It is creating a more hostile environment for your infection or illness to survive, and it also encourages your immune system to work more efficiently. If you are not experiencing any unpleasant symptoms alongside your fever, there is really no need to bring it down with medication. You are certainly encouraged to, though, if your fever is making you feel even sicker than before.

Symptoms That a Fever Can Cause

• Chills, shivering or shaking
• Body aches
• Fatigue
• Sweating or flushed skin

Can Untreated Fevers Become Dangerous?

The chance that you will experience a truly dangerous fever is relatively low. The great majority of fevers only last from one to three days and then resolve on their own once your body starts to overcome the illness.

In the instances where your fever refuses to break, keeps coming back or reaches 104 degrees or higher, it is time to seek medical care. A dangerous fever could start to impact your organs and eventually could lead to brain damage. While this is rare, it is still necessary to react accordingly to keep yourself safe from serious injury.

Secondary Fever Symptoms That Require Medical Attention

• Stiff neck
• Confusion
• High fever with a rash
• Seizures

Do you have a fever that just won’t break? Come see us at AFC Urgent Care Knoxville.