What Causes a Fever?

December 13, 2022

When you get sick, it is normal to experience a wide variety of symptoms as your body works hard to fight off the illness. Some symptoms could make you feel downright miserable, like having a fever!

While fevers are your body’s natural response in fighting off infection, they can still be really uncomfortable. Check out our latest blog from the AFC Urgent Care Chapman Highway team to learn all about fevers.

What Does a Fever Do?

When you contract an infection, your body typically has some sort of immune response as it works to fight off the illness. In some cases, it can spike a fever! A fever is considered a body temperature that is 100.4 degrees or higher. As your body temperature rises, it encourages your white blood cells to more effectively attack the invader, as well as minimize the growth rate of the infection.

In most cases, fevers are just a normal part of your body’s natural defense against illness. If you otherwise feel fine but your thermometer is reading high, there is no need to take any fever-reducing medications. You certainly can, but treating a fever only treats your body temperature, not your infection.

Symptoms of High Body Temperature

Temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher
Chills, shivering or shaking
Body aches
Fatigue
Sweating or flushed skin

How Are Fevers Dangerous?

While the vast majority of fevers stay mild and go away on their own in time, there are some that persist for days or can even become dangerously high. If your fever won’t break on its own after a few days or your temperature reaches 103 degrees or higher, it is crucial to be seen by a medical professional for further investigation.

This practice should look a little different if you have any young children or infants in your home that spike a fever. Babies under 3 months of age should be seen for any fevers above 100 degrees orally or 100.4 degrees rectally. It’s always best to err on the side of caution for your littlest family members in order to keep them safe.