When to Seek Medical Care for a Fever

Often, when you’re unwell or feeling sick, your body temperature rises until you’re running a fever. Persistent fevers occur as a symptom of many medical conditions in children and adults, so you may need a diagnosis to determine how severe the situation really is. But how do you know when to see a doctor?

At Macomb Medical Clinic of Sterling Heights, Michigan, family medicine and primary care specialist Dr. Mark S. Rosenberg and the team want you to stay safe and healthy. If your body temperature is running hot, use this guide to determine if you need to visit our office or if you just need to stay home, rest, and recover.

Remember, if you’re not sure, there’s no harm in getting checked out by our team of family medicine professionals. We offer expert diagnostic testing, as well as an in-office pharmacy for your convenience. Here’s what you need to know about when to seek medical care and attention for a fever.

Why fevers occur

For most people, normal body temperature stays near 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. There’s some room for individual variation, as you may tend to run hot or cold. But, when you feel unwell, and your temperature also rises, you have a fever.

Fevers occur when your immune system kicks into high gear to fight off invading viral or bacterial pathogens. You may also develop a fever as part of an inflammatory condition, or as a result of heat exhaustion. In some cases, these causes of fevers benefit from medical care.

In adults and children, temporary fever may appear after receiving a vaccination, or when starting a new medication. This type of fever doesn’t typically require a medical response.

When you need medical care for a fever

The number to watch out for when it comes to fevers is 103 degrees Fahrenheit. If your fever reaches that level, or if home treatments don’t bring a fever down, contact Macomb Medical Clinic for evaluation and care.

You should also watch out for fevers occurring along with these symptoms:

• Chills or sweating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Chronic fatigue
• Loss of appetite

If you notice these symptoms alongside your fever, reach out for medical attention.

Relieving fevers at home

When you first notice a fever developing, here are some steps you can take at home. Start with rest and over-the-counter medications. Taking a cool bath or shower can help to bring your body temperature back down, as well.

As a rule of thumb, take fevers more seriously in children, especially infants, toddlers, and kids with existing health conditions. Any type of fever in a child needs to be seen by a doctor right away. Don’t try home remedies for children with fevers instead of seeking medical care.

In general, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to fevers. Home remedies may help to relieve symptoms, but, in order to be sure that any underlying medical problems are dealt with promptly, reach out to Macomb Medical Clinic.

For treatment for fevers that keeps you safe and healthy, call to schedule an appointment, or request an appointment online today.