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What You Need To Know About Breaking A Fever

You may be able to break a fever at home with rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications. But a person with a high fever may need medical attention.

People may refer to a fever as hyperthermia, pyrexia, or elevated temperature. It is a state of heightened body temperature commonly occurring as a reaction to an illness. Fevers can also result from sunburn or from getting immunizations.

People with compromised immune systems may tend to have fevers more often than others.

Fevers are typically temporary and resolve independently. However, severe fevers can indicate a serious underlying condition and be a medical emergency.

This article discusses how to assess a fever's severity and ways to break a fever at home.

If you or someone you're caring for has a fever, follow these steps to break the fever:

Stay in bed and rest.

Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water to replenish lost fluids.

Take over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen to reduce fever.

Stay cool by removing extra layers of clothing and blankets unless you have the chills.

Avoid contact with others until the fever resolves.

How long does it take to break a fever?

Most fevers go away on their own within a few days. That said, in cases of severe or persistent fever, emergency assistance may be necessary.

Fevers aren't one-size-fits-all, and neither are their symptoms. Your comfort level and symptoms can help you decide how to treat a fever. If you have a fever, you may experience the following symptoms:

A person's body average body temperature can vary depending on age, sex, activity level, and the site at which a temperature is taken. For example, a body temperature reading at a person's ear, mouth, or armpit will yield different results.

Many pediatricians recommend using rectal thermometers for infants and babies. Discuss with your doctor which type of thermometer to use. You should also tell them what kind of thermometer you used to record your child's temperature.

Temperature ranges for fever

Low fever: 99.1–100.4°F (37.3–38.0°C)

Moderate fever: 100.6–102.2°F (38.1–39.0°C)

High fever: 102.4–105.8°F (39.1–41°C)

Hyperthermia: Greater than 105.8°F (41°C)

The average body temperature of children and toddlers is around 97.52°F (36.4°C) but this can vary depending on a child's age, health status, and thermometer location.

Similarly to adults, temperatures around 38°C and above may indicate fever.

How and when you should treat a fever can vary depending on a person's age and associated symptoms. If left untreated, fever can lead to serious complications in young children, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems.

Adults with a fever and other symptoms, such as a stiff neck, severe pain anywhere in the body, or shortness of breath, should seek immediate medical attention.

Similarly, if your fever goes above 103°F (39.4°C) or doesn't respond to treatment, it may be best to seek medical assistance.

Infants and toddlers

A doctor should see infants up to 3 months old with a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or above. They should still see a doctor even if there are no other symptoms present.

Babies 3 to 6 months old may not require treatment for fevers up to 102°F (38.9°C). If your baby has other symptoms or their fever goes above 102°F (38.9°C), call your doctor.

Immunocompromized states

If you have a weakened immune system and start experiencing fever, seek medical assistance. A compromised immune system is common in people with HIV, cancer, or autoimmune diseases.

Fever is often a sign of infection. Sometimes, these infections are fast-moving or hard to treat. So if you have a compromised immune system, getting immediate medical support for fever is important.

5 Ways To Break A Fever Safely

Staying hydrated, eating light foods, such as soup and saltine crackers, if you can tolerate them, and getting rest is how to break a fever fast. You can offer breast milk or formula and use a lukewarm bath to break a baby's fever. It's important to monitor symptoms in infants and call a healthcare provider if their fever is 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher.

A fever is an increase in normal body temperature. An average body temperature is typically around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius). It's usually a symptom of an infection or illness your body is trying to fight off. Autoimmune disorders, immunizations, and certain medications can also cause a fever.

Dehydration is a side effect of fevers. You may develop symptoms of dehydration, like: Crying without tears (in infants and children) Dark-colored urine Decreased urination Dry mouth or skin Excessive thirst Fatigue Headache Lightheadedness Not having a wet diaper for three hours or more (in infants) Sunken eyes (in infants and children) Drink plenty of fluids to prevent and treat dehydration. Sports drinks give your body the necessary electrolytes to feel hydrated again. You may need intravenous (IV) fluids if you have severe dehydration. Younger children should not consume a lot of fruit juice, including apple juice, or any sports drinks. Dietary recommendations for children can vary, so discuss options with a healthcare provider. You may have an upset stomach and lack of appetite if your body is feverish from an infection. It can be hard to keep food down or be unappealing to eat, so do not force yourself to do so. If you want to eat and can, opt for choices like crackers, toast, soup or gelatin. These options can also help you stay hydrated. The theory of "sweating out a fever" is not backed by evidence. Limit blanket layers and avoid trying to keep warm, especially if you have chills. You will probably feel better if you stay cool. Take a lukewarm shower or bath, or apply a cool compress to your neck, armpits, or forehead. These methods will not treat the underlying cause of the fever, but they can ease discomfort. Avoid alcohol rubs and ice-cold baths, which can cause shivering. Both of these methods can increase body temperature. Your immune system works overtime against whatever infection or disease makes you ill when you have a fever. Getting enough rest is important to recovering from a fever. Sleep boosts immune system function. One study found that sleep helps your body's infection-fighting T cells work more efficiently. Get plenty of sleep, and your body will do the rest. Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Advil (ibuprofen) can reduce a fever in children and adults. Typically, children should not consume ibuprofen until age 6 months. Aspirin is also an effective treatment in adults but should never be given to children or adolescents. Aspirin has been shown to cause a rare but severe condition called Reye's syndrome. It can affect the liver and brain in children and adolescents. Administer the correct dosage based on your child's age and weight. Be aware that acetaminophen may also be included in many over-the-counter (OTC) cold and flu remedies. You do not want to take too much since it can cause liver failure. Fever temperatures vary by age and where you measure the temperature. The most common areas for measurement are the mouth and rectum. You might also measure temperatures using an ear, forehead, or armpit. Oral temperatures will be a bit higher than skin temperatures. They will also be about the same amount lower than rectal or ear temperatures. The following chart includes the temperatures that may require medical attention, based on age: Temperatures That May Require Medical Attention Age Temperature 3 months or younger 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher 3 months to 3 years old 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.9 degrees Celsius) or higher Children of any age 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) or higher 18 years and older 99-99.5 degrees Fahrenheit (37.2-37.5 degrees Celsius) or higher Any age 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.6 degrees Celsius) or higher Not all fevers are a reason to see a healthcare provider. There are some instances when you or your child may need medical attention. A fever can be more serious for people who have a weak immune system or conditions like diabetes, chronic lung problems, and sickle cell anemia. Remember that many things can cause a fever. Keep track of you or your child's symptoms to get an accurate diagnosis. Infants and Children See a healthcare provider if your infant's fever is 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Any fever that rises above 104 degrees Fahrenheit repeatedly in a child of any age warrants medical attention. Newborns and young infants will often need further evaluation in a hospital setting. Use a digital thermometer to take a rectal temperature for accuracy. Signs to see a healthcare provider include: Ear pain Fussiness Repeated vomiting or diarrhea Seizures Severe headache Sore throat Stiff neck Unexplained rash Unusual drowsiness Adults Contact a healthcare provider if you have a fever that stays at or rises above 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39.4 degrees Celsius). It's important to seek medical attention if your fever keeps increasing, despite using fever-reducing medications and other measures, with no sign of coming down. Prolonged fevers, fevers that come and go, or new rashes or bruises also warrant medical attention. A fever signifies that your body is fighting an infection or illness. Drink plenty of fluids and eat light foods if you can tolerate them to help break a fever. It's also important to monitor symptoms and know when to seek care from a healthcare provider. Thanks for your feedback! 11 Sources Health.Com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. MedlinePlus. Fever. American Academy of Pediatrics. Fever: When to call the pediatrician. MedlinePlus. Dehydration. Heyman MB, Abrams SA; Section on Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition; Committee on Nutrition. Fruit juice in infants, children, and adolescents: Current recommendations. Pediatrics. 2017;139(6):e20170967. Doi:10.1542/peds.2017-0967 MedlinePlus. Fever. Dimitrov S, Lange T, Gouttefangeas C, et al. Gαs-coupled receptor signaling and sleep regulate integrin activation of human antigen-specific T cells. J Exp Med. 2019;216(3):517-526. Doi:10.1084/jem.20181169 MedlinePlus. Aspirin. MedlinePlus. Acetaminophen. Merck Manual Consumer Version. Fever in adults. National Institute on Aging. Flu and older adults. Ward MA. Patient education: Fever in children (beyond the basics). In: Edwards MS, Blake D, eds. UpToDate. UpToDate; 2024.

How To Check Your Fever Without A Thermometer, According To Doctors

Whether you're dealing with a sudden wave of chills and aches and pains, or you just feel *a little* hotter than usual, the desire to know if you have a fever ASAP is understandable. After all, a fever tends to serve as an indicator that your body is fending something off (like a virus or a bacterial infection). And, of course, we're now in a cold and flu season that's also happening during a global pandemic. You shouldn't panic if you feel feverish, but it's *a lot*.

If you don't have a thermometer laying around, or the only one you could find was buried deep in some bathroom drawer and you're not sure just how long it's been in there, is there any legit (or at least somewhat legit) way to gauge whether your temperature is above normal without a thermometer?

Read on to learn what to do if you're feeling feverish, no matter your thermometer situation, with insight from immunology specialists.

First thing's first: Do you *need* a thermometer to tell if you have a fever?

The only way to know for sure that you have a fever is by taking your temperature with a thermometer, confirms David Erstein, MD, an allergist and immunologist based in New York. Doctors usually don't consider you to have an ~actual~ clinically diagnosable fever unless it's 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or above.

Also, asking for a friend here: Can you have a fever without a temperature? This is actually a super common question (you—er, your friend—are not alone!), but experts agree that the answer is no. "You cannot have a fever without having a temperature," says Jehan Riar, MD, a board-certified primary care physician with Mercy Personal Physicians. "Your body temperature being higher than normal is what a fever is." Most people are in the general range of 98.6 for a normal temperature, but everyone is slightly different, Dr. Riar says.

Unfortunately, your chances of accurately guessing whether or not you have a fever without a thermometer are fair at best, she says. Case in point: Patients who self-reported feeling feverish at a rural teaching hospital in India had a 58 percent chance of *actually* having a fever, according to a study in Tropical Medicine and International Health.

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If you've managed to dig up an old thermometer, digital and old-school glass thermometers alike should do the trick (as long as they're not damaged or out of juice), says Robert Eitches, MD, an allergist-immunologist and fellow of the American Board of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. But if there's any indication that your old-school thermometer is cracked or broken, wrap it up in a Ziploc bag and throw it away. Mercury (a silvery white liquid still present in some household thermometers) could leak out, and it's toxic.

Of course, before you pop a thermometer under your tongue, you'll want to clean it. Here's how to clean a thermometer properly:

Lather up some soap and water in your hands, scrub down the part of the thermometer you put in your mouth for 20 seconds, and rinse it off.

If you have rubbing alcohol on hand, wipe down the thermometer applicator with a cotton ball soaked with rubbing alcohol to sanitize it.

Rinse it off again to remove the alcohol, advises Dr. Erstein.

If you don't have any rubbing alcohol at home, no worries—washing it off with soap and water is absolutely fine (as soap alone can break down and remove bacteria and viruses, including the novel coronavirus), he says.

What if you don't have a thermometer on you? Are there any other ways to tell if you're feverish?

If you don't have immediate access to a thermometer but you're feeling, well, warm and icky, there are a few ways you can make an educated guess as to whether or not you actually have a fever.

Both digital and old-school glass thermometers are fine to use to measure fever.

Listen to your body. Chances are, you're already well-acquainted with what a fever feels like for you, from burning up so much so you have to throw off your sheets and turn up the A/C to out-of-the-ordinary shaking chills, tiredness that goes beyond the typical end-of-day fatigue, or headaches, body aches, and pains that can't be explained. If any of the above sounds familiar, you might have a fever, notes Dr. Erstein.

Take a look in the mirror. When you're really burning up from a fever, you may appear flushed, red in the face, and sweaty, says Dr. Erstein.

Get moving. Working out with a cold is the worst, and you shouldn't try this if you feel really run down. But if you're up for some gentle movement, go on a brisk walk, jog up and down the stairs at your house, or try to lift a few weights. If you feel easily tired, weak, or winded, that could be another indicator that your body is battling an invader and your temperature's up as a result, says Dr. Erstein.

Have someone else feel your forehead. While it's tough to gauge your own temperature with the ol' back-of-hand-to-forehead trick (because if you are feverish, your entire body feels hot anyway), it can be helpful if you have a family member, roommate, or friend lend a hand. "If someone else feels your forehead and it feels hot, you most likely have a fever," says Dr. Erstein.

Again, though, the only way to be totally sure your temperature's off the charts is to use a thermometer.

How long does a fever last?

This falls squarely into the "it depends" category. "It depends entirely on what's causing the fever," says Aline M. Holmes, DNP, RN, a clinical associate professor at Rutgers University School of Nursing. If you have an isolated health issue, like a cold or strep throat, the fever could go on for a few days. "If you get started on an antibiotic with something like strep throat, the fever will come down quickly—often in less than 24 hours," Holmes says.

If you have an active infection going on in your body, "you could have the fever as long as you have the infection," Dr. Riar says. "It really depends on what the cause of the fever is," she adds.

When should you seek medical attention for a fever?

If you feel ill and you've got a moderately high fever (think: above 102 degrees Fahrenheit or 38.9 degrees Celsius), that's your cue to call a doctor to figure out next steps, says Dr. Eitches. Otherwise? "In general, if you're experiencing fever associated with other symptoms such as shortness of breath, a rash, or confusion, it's probably best to seek medical attention," he says.

How do you treat a fever?

Again, it depends on what's behind your fever, but there are a few interventions you can try. "If it's a viral infection, you kind of have to ride it out," Dr. Riar says. "It will eventually resolve with rest."

Taking a pain reliever and fever reducer like acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help you feel better and may also help your fever to break, she says. You can also try taking a cool shower for relief, Holmes says.

Just know this, per Holmes: "If you're not bothered by your fever and you're feeling okay, you really don't need to treat it."

Lauren Krouse is a freelance writer who covers health, domestic violence, and self-advocacy. Her work appears in _Women's Health, Men's Health, Prevention, Self, HuffPost, and elsewhere. When she's not writing, you can find her trying to meditate more, weightlifting, or walking in the woods with her partner and black lab.

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