When you’re in the middle of a fever, you might feel as though there’s no way you’ll ever recover. And that’s for good reason. Fevers have a nasty habit of ravaging your whole body and making you feel miserable from head to toe. 

But do you really need to be worried that your overall health is in danger?

Here, our team of experts at Family Urgent Care walks you through where fevers come from and helps you recognize when fever becomes an emergency. 

Why fevers happen

Fevers are an unfortunate but very necessary part of your immune system’s response to an infection. 

You may also experience a fever if you:

  • Are taking certain medications, such as antibiotics
  • Suffer a heat illness
  • Have cancer
  • Have an autoimmune disease

Childhood vaccines are also known to trigger fevers in young children. If you live with drug addiction, you may be at a higher risk for feverish episodes, as well.

The first sign of a fever is a temporary rise in your body temperature from 98.6°F to 100°F or higher. In addition to a higher reading on your thermometer, you may also notice:

  • Sweating
  • Chills or shivering
  • Headaches
  • Muscle and body aches
  • Loss of appetite
  • Irritability
  • Malaise

Because you’re not feeling your best, you’re also at risk for dehydration. Be sure to get plenty of fluids to help your body regulate your temperature and fight off the infection. 

When fevers are dangerous

Fortunately, most fevers aren’t dangerous and break on their own with proper treatment. However, there are a few circumstances where a fever can cross a line and become dangerous. Left unmanaged, fevers have the potential to cause other potentially serious symptoms, such as convulsions, confusion, and/or seizures, especially in younger children. 

Here are a few rules of thumb to follow when deciding whether or not a fever needs medical attention. 

Fevers in infants and toddlers

We’re most concerned about fevers in infants and toddlers because their immune systems haven’t fully matured. Call us if your baby is:

  • Younger than 3 months and has a temperature of 100.4°F or higher
  • Between 3-6 months and has a temperature of 102°F or higher
  • Between 7-24 months and has a temperature of higher than 102°F that lasts more than a day

It’s also important to pay attention to any other symptoms, including irritability, sluggishness, and discomfort. This information can tell us how severe the fever is and alert us to the possible underlying cause.

Fevers in children

As your child grows, their immune system continues to mature, and fevers become easier to handle. A good place to start is by checking for responsiveness. If your child has a fever but can still make eye contact with you, respond to your voice and facial expressions, and even continue playing, there’s likely no cause for alarm.

Bring your child to our urgent care facility if they’re:

  • Listless
  • Confused
  • Irritable
  • Vomiting
  • Experiencing seizures
  • Still feverish after three days

If your child has a fever after being left in a hot car, seek emergency medical attention. Additionally, if your child has a known immune system problem or preexisting illness, you should take even the mildest fever seriously. 

Fevers in adults

Just because you’re older doesn’t mean a fever can’t become a serious problem. Get help for a fever if you have a temperature higher than 103°F and any of these signs or symptoms:

  • Severe headache
  • Rash
  • Sensitivity to light and sound
  • Stiff neck 
  • Pain when bending your head forward
  • Confusion
  • Vomiting
  • Trouble breathing or chest pain
  • Abdominal pain
  • Pain when urinating

Convulsions or seizures are cause for serious concern and require prompt emergency treatment. It’s also important that you get treatment for fever if you’re pregnant or have an immune system problem. 

What to do when you have a fever

If you don’t have any other risk factors or health conditions, low-grade fevers (fevers below 102°F) don’t usually require treatment. Rest and plenty of fluids are enough to help your body fight off the infection. 

Fevers that spike over 102°F, however, may require treatment. Most often, we recommend over-the-counter fever reducers, such as Tylenol or ibuprofen. If your fever is severe, we may prescribe other medications to address the underlying cause.

Children and babies under 2 months old may need to be admitted to the hospital for testing and treatment. Usually, we recommend a course of IV medication and diligent monitoring until the fever breaks and the infection subsides.

Worried about a fever? Don’t spend another day toughing it out. Walk into any of our three conveniently located offices or give us a call to talk to our experienced staff. 

James H.
1745786851
Zero wait time and was seen immediately for a walk-in appointment. Very clean and welcoming. Also very professional and the doctor explained everything I needed to know. I recommend going here and will be going back :)
Faith D.
1745456384
Very efficient and friendly clinic! I was able to get advice and a prescription extremely fast even though it was the end of the night.I'll definitely return to this urgent care if I need help in the future.
Aaron M.
1745439558
Quick and easy visit. Wanted to get check for strep or other viral things bc of symptoms. They had me in and out in 15 minutes! Super easy and very kind
Momojani J.
1745253764
Good Family Urgent Care W Morse Ave. Very cooperative and understanding staff and doctor.
Paradox_ J.
1745072528
Customer Service was nice, we had causal conversation and talked about college. The doctor was cool as well. Examined it, diagnosed it, and explained what was going on. He was direct too which was nice and saved time.
Jasmine S.
1744922636
Was not feeling well they listen to my problem figure out what was wrong and they solve it and got me feeling better . Thank you so much
Jackie C.
1744729974
Excellent service
Marisol L.
1744657952
This is my first time at Family Urgent Care. The staff is thorough and compassionate. I had a great experience with them and strongly recommend them for any of your health concerns.
Charlie G.
1744399113
I was very quickly attended to at this wonderful clinic !Everyone was very friendly and the physician was extremely knowledgeable and put me at ease about my health concerns
Lindsay W.
1743266677
They were very nice and efficient had me in and out within 30 minutes. Would go again!
Ghetto Gaming Streaming L.
1742752738
I love it
Shaliyah B.
1742751828
Fast and easy!
Titilayo V A.
1742327216
Great services
Nadia N.
1742320865
Great service
Lewis W.
1742228513
This is probably the best urgent care facility that I know the staff and the physicians are always very professional and very caring
Melanie P.
1741454907
This is my 1st -2nd time coming to this clinic,I'm very well so satisfied,there's not much wait ,it's a walk in but I was attended really quick,eve when I made my appt over the phone,the Np responded quickly and my problems were address,Monica V. NP was very professional,willing to discuss,hear out concerns ang offer alternatives,I needed to provide urine and Maya in the reception was very helpful,I needed to come back to discuss the result of my u/a c/s ,Dr.S. Mahmood was a very good doctor,this is the 1st time I'd been to an urgent clinic with a specialist on duty,omg it's like I hit jackpot.He is a transplant Nephrologist!!!I was so lucky to have found him& this clinic,he definitely know his field of expertise,willing to explain,answer questions,offer alternatives and of course he takes time to listens to patient's (my)concerns,that's the kind of doctors we should be looking for,& as a nurse myself,I definitely recommend this place,this place is trustworthy !!!
Doozer 8.
1741200176
Always a great experience! Quick and affordable help. With having no insurance, I need a place like this!
tia J.
1740351833
Everyone in the doctors office were very sweet and patient with me and kids 10/10 recommend
Roxanne S.
1740342749
It was my first time going here and I had a great experience - especially with P.A. Lena Farah. She was extremely patient and thorough. She listened and asked questions to get a better understanding. She took my concerns into consideration and was very efficient. I definitely recommend this facility for urgent care. Thank you again, Lena. You're amazing!
Yevgeniy N.
1740156699
Family Urgent care is a great place. I walked in without an appointment. I was seen within 15 minutes. The staff was very pleasant. The doctor listened to my problems, ran some tests and explained how to navigate the complicated healthcare system with medicaid.I had a blood test done. I have very small veins which means that usually I would have to get poked three or four times with the needle. Maya was able to hit the vein on her first try. She had such a delicate touch that I barely felt the needle and was left with no bruise on my arm. Great place, great staff.
Mary Charles R.
1740063059
Very quick and helpful!
Hurairah
1739326566
I had an excellent experience at Family Urgent Care. The staff took great care of me and were incredibly friendly and professional. They knew exactly what they were doing every step of the way, making me feel comfortable throughout the procedure. The aftercare was also top-notch. A special shoutout to the team for their kindness and expertise. Highly recommend!
Noah F. W.
1737484685
They were outstanding. Check in was easy and quick despite being a new patient, and the care was superb. Found them in an emergency situation and they were above and beyond any provider I have found in an immediate care situation. Not too long of a wait despite being a walk in, patient & kind staff, good communication, excellent medical skills, thorough care. I will never go anywhere else for urgent care again.
Kailee C.
1737136130
Fast, friendly, and makes you feel comfortable!
victor G.
1737135751
Quick and easy
David H.
1736980229
Very fast very helpfulGreat urgent care service
Michael T.
1736692224
Care was fast, and the entire medical team was very informative and very good with my 4 year old brother
Martina M.
1736627401
very helpful and friendly office
Hussain S.
1736530230
Maya is best medical assistantShe know what she is doingShe is very polite and professional
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