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Care at Home
  1. Reassurance: Most fevers are good, because they help the body fight infection. The goal of fever therapy is to bring the fever down to a comfortable level. Use the following definitions to help put your level of fever into perspective:
    • 99.5 - 101 F Oral: Low-grade fevers and beneficial (37.5 - 38.3 C)
    • 101 - 103 F Oral: Moderate-grade fevers and beneficial (38.3 - 39.4 C)
    • 103 - 105 F Oral: High fever that causes headache and malaise, generally harmless in healthy adults, but higher risk of bacterial infection (39.4 - 41.7 C)
    • Over 105 F Oral: Very high fever (> 41.7 C)
  2. For All Fevers:
    • Give cold fluids orally to prevent dehydration. (Reason: good hydration replaces sweat and improves heat loss via skin) Adults should drink 6-8 glasses of water daily.
    • Dress in 1 layer of lightweight clothing and sleep with 1 light blanket.
    • For fevers 100-101 F (37.8-38.3 C), this is the only treatment and fever medicine is unnecessary.
  3. Fever Medicine: For fevers above 101 F (38.3 C) take acetaminophen every 4-6 hours (e.g., Tylenol; adult dosage 650 mg) or ibuprofen every 6-8 hours (e.g., Advil, Motrin; adult dosage 400 mg).
    • The goal of fever therapy is to bring the fever down to a comfortable level.
    • Remember that fever medicine usually lowers fever 2 degrees F (1- 1 1/2 degrees C).
    • Do not take ibuprofen if you have stomach problems, kidney disease, are pregnant, or have been told by your doctor to avoid this type of anti-inflammatory drug.
    • Do not take ibuprofen for more than 7 days without consulting your doctor.
    • Do not take acetaminophen if you have liver disease.
    • Read the package instructions thoroughly on all medications that you take.
  4. Lukewarm Shower for Reducing Fever:
    • Take the fever medicine first.
    • Take a lukewarm shower or bath for 10 minutes. Lukewarm water should be warm enough that it does not make you shiver, but cold enough that it helps cool you off and reduce your temperature.
    • Do not sponge yourself with rubbing alcohol.
  5. Expected Course: Most fevers from a viral illness such as a cold fluctuate between 99.5 and 103 F (37.5 - 39.5 C) and last for 2 or 3 days.
  6. Contagiousness: You can return to work or school after the fever is gone.
  7. IF your symptoms become worse: Review Should I Call? recommendations.
  1. Symptom Description
  2. Should I Call?

Adult Housecalls. Copyright © 2001-2008. David Thompson, M.D.
Reviewed/Modified: Jan. 2008 by Intermountain Healthcare, Inc.


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