Dignity Health: Safely Treating High Fever in Arizona

A fever is the body’s normal and natural immune system response to viral or bacterial infections and other conditions. Normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (°F).

A high fever refers to body temperature rising above 100.4 °F rectally for infants three months of age and younger, 104 °F for children, and 103 °F for adults. In young infants, a high fever can signal a serious infection.

If you or a loved one has a high fever, seek medical care right away. Doctors at Dignity Health provide expert care to diagnose and treat all causes of high fever in Arizona, as part of our emergency services.

If you need to visit an emergency room, use our InQuicker™ online tool by selecting your estimated hospital arrival time and wait at home until your time to be seen. Upon arrival and check-in, you will see a doctor who will assess your situation and determine the next appropriate level of care.

 

High Fever Symptoms

You should seek medical help from a doctor for a fever lasting more than 48 hours. 

The symptoms of a high fever often include:

  • Body aches
  • Chills
  • Sweating
  • Fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

You should call your doctor or go to your nearest ER or urgent care center for these symptoms:

  • Dehydration
  • Shortness of breath
  • Confusion
  • Hallucinations
  • Rapid pulse or heart rate
  • Seizures
  • Severe headache, stiff neck, or abdominal pain
  • Purplish-red, dotted rash
  • Unusual drowsiness or lethargy

You should also seek urgent medical care if you have a chronic medical condition or have been out of the country recently and develop a fever.

 

High Fever Causes

In most cases, the cause of a high fever is either a viral or bacterial infection. Conditions that may create a high fever include:

 A fever can also be caused by noninfectious diseases, such as: 

 

High Fever Treatment at Dignity Health

A fever can often be treated effectively at home with rest, fluids, and fever-reducing medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). To learn more about at-home treatments for a high fever, Find a Doctor today at Dignity Health.

If you are unsure about your symptoms, or if you have an abnormally high fever, the safest thing to do is to call your doctor or seek prompt medical attention. A doctor at Dignity Health can diagnose the cause of a very high temperature and provide the right treatment for any underlying infection if necessary. 

Health care providers at Dignity Health offer personalized treatment for all types of conditions that cause high fever in Arizona.