What Symptoms Indicate a Fever?

December 13, 2022

Illness is all around us at this point in the year, so it is common to experience a wide variety of symptoms throughout the cold and flu season as our bodies battle to ward off illness. One of the symptoms that can be really uncomfortable is a fever.

In some instances, you might not even know that you are running a fever, while in others, you could be suffering. Check out our latest blog below about the symptoms of fevers, brought to you by our team at AFC Urgent Care Hixson!

How Do I Know If I Have a Fever?

Fevers are our bodies’ natural response to illness, so it should not be an immediate concern if your thermometer reads high. A typical body temperature fluctuates around 98.6 degrees throughout the day, and an official fever is not diagnosed until your temperature reaches 100.4 degrees or higher. Even then, it’s usually not necessary to treat it.

As your body heats up, it is working hard to create a more hostile environment for the bacteria or virus to replicate and thrive. While this is a good thing, it can make you feel really sick as your body is thrown out of its normal rhythm. If your fever is making you feel miserable, you can take some OTC fever-reducing medication to help with your symptoms.

Symptoms Associated With Fevers

Chills, shivering or shaking
Body aches
Fatigue
Sweating
Flushed skin

How Should I Treat a Fever?

Gratefully, most fevers are only temporary nuisances and will slowly fade away once your body starts to fend off your illness. Focus on getting a lot of rest, drinking plenty of water and taking some OTC medication if needed. Just remember that taking medication may break your fever, but it is not treating your illness.

If you have a stubborn fever that won’t go away on its own or keeps getting higher and reaches 104 degrees, seeking a medical opinion is a good idea. A fever of this nature might indicate a more serious condition, so further investigation is recommended.