What experts say about childhood vaccines amid the Texas measles outbreak
What Is A Low-grade Fever? How To Know If You're Sick And When To See A Doctor
Many illnesses can cause a fever, which is when your body temperature rises over 100.4°F. In some cases, your body temperature may be elevated, but not quite as high as a fever. This is often referred to as a "low-grade fever" although it does not technically meet the definition of a fever.
Most of the time, low-grade fevers aren't a reason to worry. Many everyday ailments can cause a low-grade fever, including an ear infection or stomach bug. In rare cases, you can also have a low-grade fever with more serious infections.
Here's what you need to know about how to treat low-grade fevers and when you need to see a doctor.
What is a low-grade fever?A low-grade fever is a body temperature that runs somewhere between your normal body temperature and 100.4°F, says Troy Madsen, MD, a professor of emergency medicine at the University of Utah.
However, there is some debate in the medical field about the exact body temperature that counts as a fever. "The definition may vary between 100.4 and 100.5 depending on the medical provider and the institution," Madsen says.
There is also some debate about the existence of a low-grade fever. While some providers accept the definition of a low-grade fever as anything between normal body temperature and 100.4°F, other providers believe that your temperature must be above 100.4°F to even count as a fever.
Your body temperature can shift based on factors like your age or the time of day, but for most people, a normal temperature falls anywhere between 97 and 99°F.
But when you get sick, your body heats up and develops a fever to make it harder for any disease cells to survive in your body. A low-grade fever can be a sign of an infection beginning in your body.
What causes a low-grade fever?"The same infections which cause a typical fever may cause a low-grade fever, particularly if it's in the early stages of the infection," Madsen says.
Some infections that can cause a low-grade fever include:
If you have a severe infection like meningitis, your fever generally won't stay at the low-grade level for long. "In most cases, a serious infection will progress from a low-grade fever to a temperature of 100.5°F or greater within a day," Madsen says.
But infections aren't the only cause of low-grade fevers. There are several other reasons you may run a low-grade fever, such as:
In these situations, a rise in body temperature is a normal response and usually isn't a cause for concern, Madsen says. Along with a low-grade fever, you might sweat, have slight chills, develop a headache, or have a flushed face.
But if your low-grade fever comes with symptoms like extreme fatigue or confusion, this may be a cause for concern, Madsen says.
How to treat a low-grade feverA low-grade fever in itself isn't necessarily a reason to worry, Madsen says, because a slightly higher temperature won't hurt your body.
But low-grade fevers can come with some uncomfortable symptoms that you may want to treat. "For example, you may have the early stages of a cold or the flu and have a low-grade fever with body aches and a sore throat," Madsen says.
Taking a dose of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen can help treat these symptoms and bring your temperature down as well. However, it's not necessary to take any medications unless your fever rises over 102°F.
If your low-grade fever is due to overheating, putting on loose-fitting clothing, resting in a cool space, or taking a cold shower may help bring your body down to a normal temperature.
No matter what is causing your fever, it's important to drink plenty of fluids. A low-grade fever generally won't cause severe dehydration, but you lose fluids more easily when your body temperature is higher. Drinking cold fluids can also help lower your body temperature.
It's also important to keep monitoring your temperature to see if it rises above 100.5 degrees and becomes an actual fever. You can take your temperature using a thermometer orally, rectally, or in your armpit.
When to see a doctor"A low-grade fever in itself doesn't necessarily mean you need to see a doctor," Madsen says, "But if you're having other symptoms plus an elevated body temperature it may be a good time to call your doctor."
Be on the lookout for symptoms of an infection, as a bacterial infection may need to be treated with antibiotics. Madsen advises that some symptoms to look out for are:
For most adults and children, you should call your doctor if your temperature rises above 103°F. If you have an infant under 3 months old, you should call the doctor if their temperature rises above 100.4°F.
In very rare cases, people may run low-grade fevers for weeks or months, Madsen says. You shouldn't ignore this symptom, as it can be a sign of a cancer like lymphoma.
"If your body temperature just seems to be abnormally high over a longer period of time, it's a good idea to check in with your doctor, particularly if you're experiencing unexplained weight loss or extreme fatigue," Madsen says.
Insider's takeawayA low-grade fever is a body temperature between 99 and 100.5°F. In most cases, a low-grade fever isn't anything to worry about and you can get relief from any symptoms by taking ibuprofen or drinking cold water.
However, if your fever keeps rising or you develop any unusual symptoms, reach out to your doctor to check that you don't have an infection or any other serious medical issue.
Why Is My Body Temperature Only 96, But I Feel Sick?
Normal body temperatures vary, but if your temperature is 96 and you feel sick, there might be something else going on.
You may feel ill and take your temperature, assuming you have a fever. Instead, your thermometer reads 96°F (35.55°C).
This lower-than-average temperature could occur for several reasons, including an underactive thyroid, low blood sugar, circulation issues, vitamin deficiency, medication, or, more rarely, sepsis.
Understanding body temperature is important to making sense of your 96°F reading. A temperature of 98.6°F (37°C) is considered a "normal" temperature. However, studies suggest "normal" may vary from 97°F (36.1°C) to 99°F (37.2°C).
Typical temperature may change depending on your age and the method you use to measure your temperature.
Hypothermia occurs when your body is at 95°F (35°C) or lower. Hypothermia is a very serious medical condition that can be fatal if not treated immediately by medical professionals.
This condition can occur because of exposure to cold weather, submersion in cold water, prolonged time in cold and wet clothes, or a cold home environment. An early symptom of hypothermia is shivering.
Hypothermia requires immediate medical attention, so you should call for emergency help if you suspect you have hypothermia.
If you have to wait for medical help, try to warm yourself up with blankets or a hot drink.
Call a healthcare professional if your temperature is 96°F (35.55°C) and you feel sick. You can describe your symptoms over the phone. They may offer a diagnosis or ask you to make an office visit.
You need immediate medical treatment if your temperature drops due to hypothermia or sepsis. Seek care if your temperature is declining and you have:
Infants with a low body temperature should be seen by a doctor immediately. Other symptoms of hypothermia in infants include red or discolored and cold skin, sleepiness, and disinterest in feeding.
Optum Perks is owned by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.
There may be several reasons you feel ill and have a thermometer reading of 96°F (35.55°C).
You may have taken your temperature incorrectly. Or you may have another underlying factor contributing to the lower temperature, like advanced age, medication use, or hypothyroidism.
Rarely, you may have a serious illness like hypothermia or sepsis that requires immediate attention.
How To Tell If You Have A Fever Without A Thermometer
Fever occurs when the body's temperature rises above 100.4° F, usually because of an underlying infection or illness.
Thermometers can be used to measure a person's temperature, but it's possible to suspect a fever without a thermometer. That's because there are common symptoms associated with a fever — like body aches, chills, flushed skin, and sweating or dehydration.
Here's how to gauge the symptoms of a fever, along with your temperature, even if you don't have access to a thermometer.
How to tell if you have a fever without a thermometerKnowing the symptoms that accompany a fever is the best way to determine whether you have one when you're not able to take your temperature.
For example, people with fever often experience:
If you're already experiencing these common symptoms of a fever, you can also gauge your own temperature based on how you feel.
"Feeling like you have fever is a pretty accurate way of knowing," says David Cutler, MD, chairman of the Santa Monica Family Physicians medical group. "If you feel hot or chilled, there's a pretty good chance you have a fever."
Fevers can make people feel hot or cold, Cutler says. You might feel and look flushed (with rosy skin) or shiver, both of which indicate that your body is trying to lower your temperature.
When trying to diagnose fever without a thermometer, people often touch their forehead. This won't work on yourself, since your entire body feels hot. However, having someone else touch your forehead can be an effective way to detect fever without a thermometer, says Haber, especially if you are experiencing those other symptoms.
It's most effective if someone touches their own forehead, then yours, in order to better gauge the differences in temperature. Of course, this practice isn't as efficient as using a thermometer to get a temperature readout.
"Diagnosing temperature by touch will give you a qualitative answer rather than a quantitative answer," Haber says.
When to seek medical attention for fever symptomsOverall, it's more important to monitor fever symptoms and their severity, rather than the specific temperature someone has.
"It's not the height of the fever we're concerned about, it's the health of the patient," Cutler says.
Kids often run high fevers but act normal. In that case, they likely don't need medical attention, Cutler says. However, someone with severe symptoms — like significant confusion or trouble breathing — should seek medical attention even if they have a low fever.
Overall, people who have trouble breathing, a rash, or a fever higher than 104°F should contact their doctor. The CDC says that those who have a fever and a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 should also seek medical attention.
Kelly Burch has been writing about personal finance for more than a decade. She's particularly interested in how finances impact the most intimate parts of a person's life, from educational and reproductive choices to love, immigration, or estate planning. Kelly has written about these topics personally and explored them with experts, including entrepreneurs, multi-millionaires, financial planners, and more.Kelly is a first-generation college graduate and homeowner who integrates her personal experience creating financial stability into her reporting. She's a career journalist, with work appearing in "The Washington Post," "The Chicago Tribune," "Boston Magazine" and more.Kelly lives in rural New Hampshire with her husband, two children, and two dogs. When she's not behind her desk, she can be found getting lost in the mountains and lakes around her home. Follow her on Facebook or Twitter, or learn more here. Read more Read less
Comments
Post a Comment