Fever or high temperature is one of the most common ailments in our everyday lives. Be it viral or attached to any other health issue, it can force adults unable to work and children miss school. Parents are perpetually concerned whether they should worry about their children running high temperatures. Here's all you need to know about fever and when experts say you should worry.
What is fever?
Fever is defined as a "temporary rise in body temperature" which is "one part of an overall response from the body's immune system", according to the Mayo Clinic. It is usually the result of an infection. So, when can a change in your body temperature be termed as a 'fever'.
The normal temperature of the human body is pegged at 98.4 degrees Fahrenheit in India (98.6 degrees F in several countries like the US). However, it varies for several people and hovers between 96 and 99 for most of the population. The body temperature can change during the day but it isn't necessarily fever. Factors that impact the body temperature can be your physical routine and climate where you live. As per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fever is when the body temperature is equal to or higher than 100.4 degrees F. This thumb rule generally applies to both adults and children.
When to worry?
Fever can develop even if a person is not sick from factors like vaccination or dehydration. Fever can be treated at home with hydration, cold press or bath and rest. For consuming medicines, it is best to take advice from a medical practitioner.
When one should seek medical help can depend on the age of the patient. In the case of infants (less than 3 months old), a temperature of over 100.4 degrees F should make parents seek medical assistance. For small children, if fever is accompanied with discomfort and irritability, medical opinion should be sought.
Adults should seek a doctor if their high temperature also comes with stiffness in neck, bad headache, sensitivity to light, shortness of breath, severe pain in abdomen or chest.
