What counts as a fever?

As we all navigate this unprecedented time, one question that’s been on everyone’s mind is what counts as a fever? With all the conflicting information out there, it can be hard to know for sure. Fear not! We’ve done our research and are here to give you the low-down.

A Little Bit About Fevers

Before we get into specifics, let’s go over some basics. A fever is a temporary increase in body temperature caused by your body fighting off an infection or illness. In most cases, fevers aren’t anything to worry about and will go away on their own within a few days.

The Gold Standard: 100.4°F

When it comes to defining a fever, most healthcare providers agree that a body temperature of 100.4°F or higher qualifies. This number has become known as the “gold standard” for fevers because it’s consistent across individuals with different baseline temperatures.

So if you’re feeling hot and bothered and want to see if you have a fever, break out that thermometer and take your temperature!

But Wait…There’s More!

While 100.4°F is generally considered the cutoff for fevers, there are other factors at play when determining whether someone actually has an infection or illness:

Age Matters

Babies under three months old should see their doctor right away if they have any sign of illness including fever – even if it falls below the 100.4°F mark mentioned earlier – since infants’ immune systems are still developing.

For kids between three months and two years old who have mild symptoms like fussiness or appetite loss but no other signs of serious illness (e.g., severe coughing), doctors typically recommend taking care at home unless their temp climbs above 102° F, which should prompt medical attention given these children’s high risk for complications such as seizures.

Kids ages 2-17 typically don’t need intervention for a low-grade fever, but those who are suffering other symptoms should see their doctor even if the temp is below 100.4°F. A child with generally good health and a temperature of 103°F or higher for more than three days should also be checked out by a healthcare provider.

Adults, on the other hand, can usually monitor mild fevers at home and seek professional attention if they have persistent symptoms such as chest pain or difficulty breathing.

How it’s Taken

The method used to take someone’s temperature – mouth, ear, armpit etc. – can affect the measurement reading (by about half a degree). For example: oral thermometers tend to produce readings that are approximately one-half degree Fahrenheit lower than core body temperatures; in contrast axillary ones produce results ~one-tenth degrees higher due simply being less sensitive because sweat quickly evaporates).

Pro Tip: Stick to one type of thermometer so you can compare apples to apples when tracking changes in your temperature over time!

Time of Day

Did you know that your body’s internal clock affects its baseline temperature? It’s true! Depending on what time of day it is some people may run naturally “hotter” or “cooler” than others so this factor alone isn’t always helpful for determining illness versus wellness/status quo.

Recent Activity Level

Exercise raises your core body temperature temporarily-this fact contributes why athletes show ‘false’ elevations spike during exercise testing which do not actually reflect developing infection/illness.-so taking someone’s temp right after they’ve done an intense workout will likely give you an artificially elevated result since heat-generating activity associated with movement sets off processes that raise core temps locally before they dissipate throughout our bodies via blood flow back towards cooler areas like extremities.

When Should You See Your Doctor?

A fever on its own isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. However, here are some situations where it may be wise to seek medical attention:

  • You have a fever of 103°F or higher and don’t begin to feel better within a few hours.
  • Your fever persists for more than three days despite taking over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
  • In addition to having a fever, you’re experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, severe headache or other concerning symptoms.

Pro Tip: If you’re ever in doubt about whether your symptoms warrant seeking medical attention/time off from work during these crazy COVID times try calling your physician’s office beforehand instead of visiting the emergency room directly without first consulting with your healthcare provider unless there’s an extreme emergency because doing so will help limit unnecessary exposure/preventative measures that overall lower risk significantly while still providing proper care!

Wrapping It Up

At the end of the day, what counts as a “fever” varies depending on multiple factors including age groupings/right time-of-day depends etc., but generally around 100.4°F is considered indicative enough when accompanied by other telling features such as those outlined in this guide (duration-lasting beyond 3 days or cough/sore throat/earache), then consult your doctor promptly! So stay calm and carry on with monitoring yourself appropriately – just remember: if something seems fishy/too good no matter how hard THEY try just trust YOUR gut/hunch-instinct/better judgment instead…and remember always call ahead before heading out into any facilities-doctors offices/groceries/mall stores etc.-right now thanks again Covid…

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