When to Worry About a Fever in Adults

There are numerous reasons why an adult may have a fever, and in general, a fever in adults isn’t a need for significant concern. However, there are times when a fever begins to become dangerous and needs immediate attention at an urgent care clinic, walk-in clinic, or emergency room to accurately diagnose and treat the underlying cause.

When to worry about fever in adults

Although most fevers resolve within several days and aren’t accompanied by other concerning symptoms, there are times when a fever in adults becomes problematic. The following are definitive signs that medical treatment is needed as soon as possible.

High temperature

Of course, a higher temperature than usual is to be expected with a fever. However, there is a limit to how high of a fever is normal. In the event the body's temperature reaches 103 degrees Fahrenheit, it is crucial to seek immediate medical assistance in order to reduce the temperature.

Since an extremely high temperature can be dangerous and even life-threatening, it is important to regularly check your temperature when sick. Otherwise, it is possible to suffer from a high temperature without even knowing. As long as immediate treatment is sought, high temperatures are fairly easy to treat.

Fever lasts for more than a week

Most fevers, whether due to the flu or any other illness, go away after several days, assuming the underlying cause is treated correctly and the individual receives the proper rest necessary.

Therefore, any fever that lasts for more than a week without the symptoms significantly diminishing needs to be treated with immediate care. Ideally, fevers should be handled by a medical professional if the heat has not reduced in any manner after three days, considering most high temperatures don’t typically linger for more than several days.

Disoriented state of mind

Any fever that leads to a muddled state of mind, meaning confusion or inability to formulate rational thoughts, needs to be addressed immediately. Most fevers don’t accompany other serious symptoms such as disorientation, so the existence of disorientation suggests either a more serious underlying cause or dehydration due to the fever.

To prevent this from occurring while someone has the flu, it is essential to drink plenty of water and stay away from physical activity until the fever and other symptoms begin to subside. Also, since an individual with both disorientation and a fever probably isn’t able to think clearly for themselves, it is vital for the people around them to get them the proper care they need.

The symptoms worsen

Lastly, if the symptoms of an illness begin to worsen, regardless of the stage of the fever, it is important to seek medical assistance. For example, any chest pain, vomiting, breathing issues, or headaches that begin to get worse during the duration of the illness, or a fever that accompanies these severe symptoms, make it essential to visit an urgent care clinic to be appropriately diagnosed and treated.

Adult fever FAQs

When in doubt, it is highly encouraged to call a physician and determine if medical intervention is necessary. To provide more information to help you determine the seriousness of your fever and overcome it, here are some common patient questions and answers from a licensed and experienced medical professional.

What causes a fever?

A fever is a temporary rise in body temperature. This occurs as a part of your body’s immune response when fighting off an infection. There are numerous causes of a fever. Some of the more common causes include a cold, flu, coronavirus, ear infection, urinary tract infection, bronchitis, and strep throat.

How can I treat a fever at home?

The best and fastest way to bring down a mild to moderate fever is through rest and hydration. Fluids can help regulate the body’s temperature, and rest helps your body fight the underlying cause of the fever. An over-the-counter pain reliever is commonly taken to bring down fever, although it is not usually necessary for mild cases. Of course, severe cases of fever may require more extensive treatment. In many severe cases, the fever itself is not as problematic as the underlying cause.

Are you experiencing a severe or prolonged fever?

If you have a severe fever, your fever has lasted for more than a week, or you have other troubling symptoms along with a high body temperature, then call our office today. We can assist you in determining the underlying cause of the fever as well as help treat your fever and other symptoms.

Request an appointment here: https://peoplefirsturgentcaretn.com or call People First Urgent & Primary Care Germantown at (901) 257-3077 for an appointment in our Germantown office.

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