Symptoms of illness vary widely from person to person. Some people know that the moment they develop a sore throat, they are getting sick, while others know the telltale sign of body aches or extreme fatigue. One symptom that is common across many illnesses is a fever.

Even though you might be feeling pretty sick, having a fever is a good thing in the majority of cases. If that seems confusing, check out our latest blog all about fevers below, brought to you by our AFC Urgent Care Bronx Webster Ave. team.

Why Are Fevers Considered Good?

A fever itself is not an illness; rather, it is a symptom that appears because something is not quite right in your body. Oftentimes, a fever is an indication of an infection. In order to more effectively fight off the infection, your body temperature rises. This causes two things to happen: It makes it harder for your infection to grow and replicate, and it encourages your white blood cells to work more efficiently to overcome the illness.

An official fever diagnosis is when your temperature is at or above 100.4 degrees. If your only indication of a fever is the reading on your thermometer, there is no need to immediately treat it. If you let your fever work, it may actually help you overcome your infection faster! If your fever is making you feel miserable, you can certainly take some OTC medication and drink plenty of fluids.

Signs of an Elevated Temperature

• Fever of 100.4 degrees or higher
• Chills, shivering or shaking
• Body aches
• Fatigue
• Sweating or flushed skin

When Is a Fever Considered Dangerous?

If you have a fever, don’t panic. The vast majority of fevers never become serious or high enough to require medical attention. Once your body starts to win the battle over the infection, your fever should go away on its own. This typically happens within one to three days.

If you have a fever that won’t go away on its own after this time period or that reaches 103 degrees or higher, it is best to be seen by a medical provider to rule out a more serious diagnosis and to keep an eye on your other symptoms. While rare, extremely high fevers can cause organ or brain damage if left untreated.

Signs of a Dangerous Fever

• Stiff neck
• Confusion
• High fever with a rash
• Seizures
• Dehydration

If you are concerned about your fever, come see us at AFC Urgent Care Bronx Webster Avenue.