Fever in adults

Fever in adults | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Illnesses and conditions Infections and poisoning Fever in adults Fever in adults Return to Symptoms Enter age Last Updated: Next Review Date: Review my answers Find your local services Search for a service near you by entering your postcode below. Please input your postcode in the following format: A12 1BC GP Practices Dental Services Pharmacies Opticians Postcode Search NHS inform has more information on this condition. Read more Previous Start guide Review my answers  You told us your credentials were: : You said: Based on the information you gave us, we made the following recommendation: Close Keep a copy View PDF Your normal body temperature is approximately 37C.A fever is usually when your body temperature is 37.8C or higher. You may feel warm, cold or shivery. You can find out if you have a fever by using a thermometer to take your temperature. Fever in adults self-help guide Complete our self-help guide to check your symptoms and find out what to do next. What causes a fever? A fever is your bodys natural response to many common illnesses such as: flu tonsillitis kidney or urinary tract infections (UTIs) Fever helps your body fight infections by stimulating your immune system (your bodys natural defence). By increasing your bodys temperature, a fever makes it harder for the bacteria and viruses that cause infections to survive. When to get help Contact your GP practice immediately if: You have a fever and you: are on treatment for immune deficiency are on immune-suppressant drugs, such as regular steroids, methotrexate, azathioprine or cyclophosphamide are taking medication where you have been warned about a risk of a reduced immune system are on, or recently completed, treatment for cancer, leukaemia or lymphoma are a transplant recipient are HIV positive have chronic lung disease have asthma which has been treated with medication in the last 3 years have heart disease (excluding blood pressure which is currently well controlled) have diabetes or another metabolic disease have chronic gastrointestinal or liver disease have chronic renal (kidney) disease have cystic fibrosis have neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis or muscular dystrophy have sickle cell disease Contact your GP practice if: you have severe thirst or are peeing less you are passing urine that is darker than normal you are light-headed or weak you have new, severe muscle cramps your symptoms have worsened or you notice new symptoms youve had a fever after recent foreign travel If your GP practiceis closed, phone 111. Treating a fever Most fevers will improveon their own in a few days. However, there are a number of things you can do to help the uncomfortable feelings associated with a fever. Do wear loose comfortable clothing make sure the room you are in isnt too warm drink more fluids (for example water) so you dont get dehydrated  you should be peeing approximately every 6 hours (a pale yellow urine means youre unlikely to be dehydrated) avoid alcohol as this can make dehydration worse take a medicine that reduces fever such as paracetamol (unless youre allergic or have been told by a healthcare professional that you cant take it) Dont do not over dress do not attempt to make yourself feel cold Fever in children Fever affects people of all ages, however it often affects babies and younger children in response to minor illnesses such as: coughs colds Find out more about fever in children . Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 05 December 2022 How can we improve this page? Help us improve NHS inform Thank You Your feedback has been received Dont include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions. Email Address e.g. you@example.com Message Maximum of 500 characters Send feedback Add this page to\n            Info For Me Also on NHS inform Self-help guide: Fever in babies Coronavirus (COVID-19) NHS inform About NHS inform Editorial policy Contact us Webchat Give feedback about NHS inform Info for Me tool Terms and conditions Privacy and cookies policy Freedom of information (FOI) Accessibility Other languages and formats  2023 NHS 24  v1.1.1.17852