What happens if your fever is 103

It slows the movement of infection-fighting white blood cells, and that action is thought to help alleviate upper respiratory symptoms. Here's How to Tell. Ferrer says. Applying cool compresses to the neck, armpits, or forehead can also help cool the skin through evaporation. Give in to the urge to crawl into bed. When you have a fever, it means your immune system is working overtime to battle whatever infection or disease is making you ill.

Give your body a fighting a chance by catching a few winks. Studies suggest that sleep boosts immune system function. Acetaminophen Tylenol and ibuprofen Advil, Motrin are the go-to medicines for reducing fever in adults and children. And know that acetaminophen may be hidden in many over-the-counter medications taken to relieve cold and flu symptoms. Don't mess around with this one: Call your pediatrician any time your baby has a fever of Children under 1, especially infants 6 months or younger, are extremely vulnerable when they have a fever because they can become dehydrated quickly, Dr.

Ferrer explains. Fever in children 6 months to 5 years of age can trigger febrile seizure, a type of seizure that occurs within the first few hours of a fever. You should also call a doctor if your child is feverish and looks very ill, is unusually drowsy, is very fussy, or has other symptoms, such as a stiff neck, a severe headache, a sore throat , ear pain, an unexplained rash, or repeated vomiting or diarrhea. A worsening fever or one that hangs on for more than two days in a tot younger than 2 or three days in an older child also requires medical attention, as does a high fever.

In adults, a fever of less than is considered mild. Because many things can cause a fever—certain medications, heat illness, cancer, autoimmune diseases—Dr. Ferrer tells patients to note the constellation of symptoms that accompany their fever to help doctors with a diagnosis. Burning with urination in addition to a fever, for example, may be a sign of a urinary tract infection , while the typical coughing and sore throat that accompany fevers is likely the flu or COVID Head directly to the emergency room when a fever is accompanied by shortness of breath or coughing up blood, Dr.

Shortness of breath is an early sign of respiratory failure and should be taken very seriously, he adds. If you are otherwise healthy and alert, having a low-grade fever may not necessarily be cause for concern. However, an elevated temperature can be indicative of another process or illness that needs to be treated. A severe or prolonged fever can even cause complications on its own. Because there are a number of possible causes of fever, many of which trigger a similar set of symptoms, it can be challenging to self-diagnose your condition.

Find out more about the possible causes of fever here, and learn what situations may warrant a visit to the ER for fever. If you have a chronic health condition or have been treated for a severe illness, you may be more likely to get a serious fever. A fever is not normally harmful on its own. Most fevers go away within a few hours to days as your body defeats an infection. Help yourself feel better with these at-home flu remedies :.

Over-the-counter medications can help ease your fever and symptoms, like headaches and muscle pain:. You may need treatment from your doctor for more serious causes of a fever. The treatment depends on the cause. Your doctor may prescribe medications to treat serious infections:.

Get emergency medical attention by going to the ER or calling an ambulance if you have any of these symptoms:. A fever in adults is usually not harmful on its own. It is a sign that your body is dealing with an infection or other illness. In some cases a high or long-lasting fever can be a sign of a serious illness. You may need urgent medical treatment. Do not ignore a fever. Get plenty of rest and fluids to help your body heal. See your doctor if you have a fever that lasts longer than 3 days or if you have other severe symptoms.

If you have a chronic condition or have been treated for a serious illness, let your doctor know if you have any kind of fever. Essential oils may help soothe fever symptoms. However, they cannot treat illness alone; you may still need medical attention. A high fever during early pregnancy might be dangerous for your baby-to-be.

A viral fever is a high body temperature that accompanies many viral infections. Familial Mediterranean fever is an inherited condition that causes episodes of high fever and other symptoms like stomach, chest, and joint pain…. If you're feeling feverish, but not running a temperature, several factors could be at play.

Mental confusion and hallucinations sometimes happen when people have a fever, which can be an uncomfortable experience for them and their caregivers….