WASHINGTON — We’ve been telling you about this so-called “triple-demic” doctors are worried about this season: it’s why there’s a chance you or someone you know is under the weather right now. The flu, COVID-19, and RSV are all going around–and having a fever is a symptom of all three. As simple as that sounds, there’s actually some confusion about what is considered to be a fever.
THE QUESTION:
What body temperature qualifies as a fever?
THE SOURCES:
- The CDC
- Johns Hopkins Medicine
- Penn Medicine
- Cedars-Sinai Hospital
- Dr. Michael Knight, assistant professor of medicine at George Washington University
THE ANSWER:
Most medical professionals agree anything over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit is considered a fever–though anything above normal body temperature could be a sign you’re fighting off an illness, and anything much higher could be extra cause for concern.
WHAT WE FOUND:
Running warm, being feverish: what’s the difference, and when you’re sick–why does it matter? Searches for “what qualifies as a fever” shot up online this weekend, as doctors warn of increasing cases of flu, COVID-19, and RSV.
“Fever is when our body starts to react to either an infection, or our immune system is revved up, if you will, because of an autoimmune condition,” explained Dr. Michael Knight, assistant professor of medicine at George Washington University.
And when that happens, your body temperature rises. Even if you’re a person who runs hot or you’re someone who’s always cold, our experts agree that most healthcare providers consider a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or above to be a fever. Cedars-Sinai Hospital explains further that anything from 99.6 to 100.3 could be considered a low-grade fever.
“So when we think about what is a fever, it's when that fever, or the temperature of the body, is higher than your average temperature,” said Dr. Knight.
A fever is a sign your immune system is at work–but it’s still a symptom that you can treat, just like a cough or headache; Dr. Knight says not to worry about taking something to bring a fever down to help you feel better and avoid dehydration.
“Fever reducers, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin have not been shown to prevent your body from fighting an infection or from your inflammatory response from occurring,” he said.
He adds if you’re an adult with a temp over 102, it’s especially worth trying to bring your body temperature down. One, you’ll be more comfortable, and two, high fevers can cause problems: Above 102, you’re at higher risk for dehydration.
"If you are seeing temperatures that are greater than 102, say 103, and definitely 104, you do need to reach out to a healthcare professional." he said. Fevers that high can signal that there’s something more serious going on.
And because fevers are just another symptom of illness–you might not have one even if you’re sick. So if you’re experiencing other signs of illness, it’s worth checking in with your doctor.
If you do have a fever–the CDC recommends waiting until 24 hours after your temperature normalizes to go back to work.
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