A fever is a relatively common side effect of illness, especially influenza. If you experience a fever while you are sick, don’t panic! Fevers are our bodies’ natural response to illness.
Some fevers might appear with no other symptoms other than the reading on the thermometer, while others may cause us to feel really sick. In either case, they can be helpful! Read on to learn more about fevers from our AFC Urgent Care Sevierville team below.
What Are the Different Types of Fevers?
Adults regularly have a body temperature of around 98.6 degrees. This number can naturally fluctuate throughout the day, so fevers are not officially diagnosed until your body reaches 100.4 degrees or higher. This is called a low-grade fever and is most likely your body’s response to an illness.
When your body starts to heat up, your white blood cell production kicks into high gear to fight off the infection while creating a less-than-ideal environment for the invader to grow and thrive. In most cases, your body is working really hard so you might feel run down or experience some secondary symptoms due to your fever.
Secondary Symptoms of a Fever
- Chills, shivering or shaking
- Body aches
- Fatigue
- Sweating or flushed skin
What Is a High-Grade Fever?
Most fevers tend to go away or break on their own within one to three days as your body slowly starts to overcome the infection. Chances are that you will start to feel immensely better when your fever goes away, too!
Keep an eye on your fever if it seems to be persistent or if it comes and goes for days on end. If your body temperature keeps climbing and reaches 103 degrees, it is considered a high-grade fever. This can indicate a more serious diagnosis or a medical emergency, so if you experience a high-grade fever with any of the below symptoms, seek medical support right away.
Serious High Grade Fever Symptoms
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- High fever with a rash
- Seizures
- Persistent vomiting
Are you worried about your fever? Come see us at AFC Urgent Care Sevierville.
