Most adults have an average body temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. If your body temperature rises above your normal level, it means you have a fever.
A fever is extremely common, and almost everyone has had a fever at some point in their life. Having a high body temperature means your immune system is fighting an infection, and the higher body heat usually works to kill off the infection.
However, if your temperature is too high and it has gone on for several days, it’s best to have yourself checked by a health care professional. Adults should see a physician immediately if the fever reaches above 103 degrees, and children should be checked by a doctor if their fever reaches 100 degrees (if the child is under 3 months of age) or 102 degrees (age 3 months to 18 years).
What Causes a Fever?
There are many reasons why you can develop a fever – for one thing, any illness could cause a fever. Some of the most common causes of a fever include:
● Flu (influenza virus)
● Viral or bacterial infection
● Antibiotics
● Vaccinations
● Dehydration
● Heat exhaustion
● Urinary tract infection
If you have a fever and no other symptoms, it’s best to have it checked by a doctor to rule out serious illnesses.
How Is a Fever Treated?
A mild fever usually does not require medication, because it will resolve itself with enough rest and liquids. Therefore, if you have a fever, stay in bed and sleep as many hours as possible, and drink plenty of cool liquids. Increasing your fluid intake will help to prevent dehydration and to flush out toxins.
Treating a moderate fever usually involves medication to relieve symptoms and to help bring the temperature down. Over-the-counter medicines often work well, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen.
However, caution should be exercised with taking medication to bring down your body temperature, because your body is trying to fight an infection. For this reason, it’s always best to consult a doctor. If it’s a bacterial infection that your body is fighting, your doctor may recommend antibiotics.
Urgent Care Clinic in Bucks County, PA
If your child’s or your fever is getting too high or has lasted for more than several days, please visit us at Patient Care Now Urgent Care to get the medical attention you need. Your primary care doctor may be booked up or the office is closed because it’s the weekend. Worry not – for we have the medical expertise to quickly diagnose and treat a wide range of acute illnesses and injuries.
Patient Care Now Urgent Care is owned and operated by ER physicians. With us, you will receive emergency-level care for your fever or other symptoms without the expense of an ER visit! We also offer on-site services such as orthopedic urgent care and occupational medicine.
Our urgent care clinic is staffed with highly skilled health care professionals who are friendly and compassionate. We want to make you feel comfortable during your visit while we reach a diagnosis and determine proper treatment for your ailment.
If you have any questions about our services, please contact us by calling (267) 202-6433 anytime. We look forward to helping you get back to feeling great again very quickly!
