Adults over the age of 18 usually do not require treatment for fevers under 102°F (38.9°C). Medication may be used to lower fevers over that level. If your temperature rises beyond 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39.4 degrees Celsius) or does not respond to therapy, you should contact your doctor. The effectiveness of fever reducers decreases as temperatures rise. As a rule of thumb, wait until your temperature is 100.5°F (38°C) or higher before taking action. Children's bodies are less able to handle heat and cold than those of adults. Therefore, they should never be left alone in a hot room or exposed to cold weather without adequate protection. Parents should take their children's temperatures regularly and seek medical advice if it exceeds 100.5°F (38°C). Parents can reduce the risk of brain damage by reducing the temperature of a child's body at least twice daily when the temperature is above 100.5°F (38°C).