What Does A Fever Feel Like

A fever has many causes and can be a symptom of almost any illness. Among the most common are:

How to diagnose a fever at home

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Identifying a fever is relatively simple if a person has a thermometer. Even without one, there are certain ways of telling whether or not a person has a fever. It is especially important to monitor fevers in babies and children.

A fever occurs when the body’s temperature rises above 100.4°F (38°C) for a sustained period.

Most fevers need no treatment, but some home remedies can ease the symptoms. That said, anyone with a very high fever should see a doctor for a full diagnosis.

A person should seek professional medical help if they have a fever alongside:

other severe or worsening symptoms
difficulty breathing and chest pain, especially if they have symptoms of COVID-19
severe pain or swelling

It is also important to see a doctor if these symptoms occur after recent surgery.

In this article, learn more about how to tell if a person has a fever.

Share on Pinterest A person’s forehead may feel very hot when they have a fever.

Many people can recognize when they feel feverish. Some describe it as a feeling of warmth.

There is no completely accurate way to diagnose a fever without using a thermometer. However, certain techniques can give a person a good idea of whether or not they have a fever.

These methods include:

Touching the forehead

Touching a person’s forehead with the back of the hand is a common method of telling whether or not they have a fever. If the person has a fever, their forehead may feel very hot.

This can be inaccurate, but it may provide some general information.

However, a person with a suspected fever who touches their own forehead may not feel anything unusual. For this reason, it is important to ask someone else for help.

A person may also be able to check for a fever by resting their cheek against the person’s forehead. However, this may not be advisable if they suspect COVID-19. A person should always wash their cheek after resting it against someone else’s forehead.

Pinching the hand

Dehydration can be one sign of a fever. To check for dehydration, a person can gently pinch the skin on the back of their hand, then let the skin go and watch it carefully.

If they are well hydrated, their skin will fall back into place very quickly. If the skin moves slowly, the person may be dehydrated.

However, this method can also be inaccurate, as dehydration does not always indicate a fever.

Looking for flushing in the cheeks

Checking in a mirror for any signs of flushed cheeks can help a person tell whether or not they have a fever.

If they do, the cheeks may be reddish or purple, or they may simply have more color than usual.

Checking urine color

Urine color may also help indicate whether or not someone has a fever.

Fevers dehydrate the body, which can prevent it from making as much urine as usual. This leads to more concentrated urine, which may be dark yellow or orange and possibly have an odor.

Looking for other symptoms

Some other signs and symptoms of a fever can include:

a headache
chills
shivering
sweating
soreness and aching
weak muscles
sore eyes
general fatigue
a loss of appetite
difficulty concentrating
swollen lymph nodes

Checking for a fever is straightforward when a person has a thermometer.

There are a few different types of thermometer available. The following sections will describe these in more detail.

Oral thermometer

Oral thermometers take the temperature in the mouth. Most modern oral thermometers are digital. They usually beep when they complete a reading, which makes them very easy for most people to use.

Oral thermometers are easier to use in adults, as they require a person to close their mouth and keep the thermometer in place for about 20 seconds to get an accurate reading.

The thermometer should rest under the tongue and as close to the center of the mouth as possible. Once it has taken the reading, it will display the person’s temperature.

Ear thermometer

Ear thermometers measure the temperature of the eardrum. They are more common in doctors’ offices, but at-home versions are also available.

Ear thermometers can give results within a few seconds. This makes them a good option when dealing with very young children, who may find it difficult to sit still for a prolonged period of time.

However, ear thermometers can give less accurate readings than other types.

To use an ear thermometer, hold the device up to the ear, with the sensor pointing inward, down the ear canal toward the eardrum. Turn on the thermometer, and wait for it to signal that the reading is complete.

Forehead thermometer

Forehead thermometers are becoming more popular for home use. They tend to be accurate, but not as accurate as rectal thermometers.

Forehead thermometers are a good option for use in children, as they do not require them to sit still for a long time.

There are two different versions available. One type, when a person places it on the temporal artery in the forehead, uses infrared light to measure a person’s temperature.

The second type is a plastic strip thermometer that a person can place on the forehead. These strips can detect a fever, but they do not give an exact reading. They only show if a person’s temperature is high or low.

Rectal thermometer

A rectal thermometer takes the temperature of the rectum. Although it may not be the easiest or most comfortable option, it does provide highly accurate readings.

As some researchers note, rectal thermometers give more accurate readings than ear or oral thermometers.

To use a rectal thermometer, apply a lubricant to the tip and gently insert it about half an inch (1.3 centimeters) into the rectum. A person can do this with an oral thermometer, or they can purchase one designed for rectal use.

Rectal thermometers may be the best option when caring for infants. Getting an accurate reading is vital when a baby may have a fever or need medical attention.

A range of thermometers is available for purchase online.

Fever

A fever is a higher-than-normal body temperature, one of the body’s natural responses to infection. A low-grade fever isn’t usually a cause for concern, but a temperature 102°F and above should be treated.

Overview

The best way to measure body temperature is using a digital thermometer.

What is a fever?

A fever is a higher-than-normal body temperature. It’s a sign of your body’s natural fight against infection.

For adults, a fever is when your temperature is higher than 100.4°F.
For kids, a fever is when their temperature is higher than 100.4°F (measured rectally); 99.5°F (measured orally); or 99°F (measured under the arm).

What do I do when my child has a fever?

With most cases, a slight fever isn’t a cause for concern with children. A low fever can make a child uncomfortable, it isn’t unusual for them to seem unaffected, still playful and eating and drinking normally, though maybe a bit more tired. Their fever should resolve in a few days.

With higher fevers, call your child’s healthcare provider if:

Your child’s fever lasts more than five days.
It’s higher than 104°F.
The fever is not reduced by medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. (Do not give a child under 17 aspirin due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome.)
You are concerned that the child isn’t behaving in their usual way, or anything else makes you uncomfortable with their fever or illness.

Some children have a frightening side effect to fever called febrile seizures. This happens in 2% to 4% of children under age 5. Some seizures cause jerking movements, or it may look like your child has passed out. When this happens put your child on their side, do not put anything in their mouth and call 911 if the seizure lasts more than five minutes and/or the child’s lips turn blue.

If it lasts less than five minutes, notify your healthcare provider and go out and get medical attention right away.

What are symptoms of a fever?

The main symptoms of a fever include:

Elevated temperature (above 100.4°).
Chills, shivering, shaking.
Body aches and headaches.
Fatigue (tiredness).
Intermittent or constant sweating.
Flushed complexion or hot skin.

Possible Causes

What causes a fever?

A fever has many causes and can be a symptom of almost any illness. Among the most common are:

However, if you or your child are experiencing a higher-than-normal body temperature and no other symptoms of illness, don’t assume something is wrong. A person’s body temperature changes throughout the day and varies with many normal activities and emotions.

For example, stress, excitement, heavy clothing, food, certain medications, a menstrual cycle and exercise can all raise body temperature. Also, children tend to have a slightly higher body temperature than adults.

Care and Treatment

What is the best way to measure body temperature?

The best way to measure body temperature is using a thermometer inserted orally, rectally, axillary (under the arm), or by using a special instrument commonly sold in stores that is inserted in the ear and measures the temperature of the eardrum.

Can a fever be treated at home?

If your fever is mild (less than 101°F), then no medical treatment is required. Simply make sure that you drink plenty of fluids (not alcohol) – and get plenty of rest.

For higher temperatures, there are many effective ways to getting your fever under control. The most common way includes medications such as aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

If you have a child under age 17 who has a fever, DO NOT give the child aspirin. Aspirin in children may cause Reye’s syndrome, a sometime fatal illness. Taking a lukewarm bath (around 98°F) may also help bring the body’s temperature down.

When to Call the Doctor

When is a fever cause for concern?

If any of the following situations apply, call a doctor as soon as possible:

A fever accompanied by a stiff neck, confusion or irritability.
A fever remaining above 103°F (39.5°C) longer than two hours after home treatment.
A fever lasting longer than two days.
High fever accompanied by rash.
Photophobia (irritated by light).
Dehydration (less amount of urine, sunken eyes, no tears).
Seizures.

Any fever in an adult that goes above 105°F (or 40.5°C) and does not come down with treatment is a life-threatening medical emergency and you should call 911.

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What Does A Fever Feel Like

How to diagnose a fever at home