When Do I Need to Seek Medical Care for a Fever?

In Arizona, we look forward to enjoying comfortable springtime weather by March, but it doesn’t mean we’re completely over the winter illness season.

Unfortunately, at this time of year, there are still plenty of flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) circulating.

One of the most frequently asked questions we get at Primary Care Walk-In Clinic is how to tell whether a fever warrants a visit to our office. Our caring provider team can offer you helpful guidance on this topic and excellent care for a wide variety of illnesses, as well as birth control options, allergy treatment, and routine care.

Fever is your body doing what it should do

It’s important to understand that not every fever is bad — an elevated temperature is your body’s way of fighting infection and regulating your immune system. Most of the time, a mild fever is nothing to worry about and typically disappears after a few days.

A “normal” temperature used to be defined as 98.6℉, but since everyone’s different, a person’s normal temperature can vary. Whether you’re a child or an adult also makes a difference.

Your activity, the hour of the day, and even the weather can all shift your temperature. 

Now, we consider a temperature between 97℉ and 98℉ to be normal for an adult, and for children, it’s in the 95.9℉ to 99.5℉ range.

In addition to viruses, new medications, heat exhaustion, or living with a chronic inflammatory condition can all trigger fever in adults. Children may also get an elevated temp after they receive certain vaccinations.

When should I worry about a fever?

There are times when fever develops in children and adults when it’s unequivocal — they need to see a provider. Here are some things to keep in mind.

1. How high is the temperature?

If you or your child has a fever that’s dramatically elevated, you should be seen by your Primary Care Walk-In Clinic provider either by appointment or by taking our practice’s name to heart and simply walking in!

If an adult has a temperature of 103℉ or more, it warrants a visit to our office, and anytime your child has an elevated temperature, we should evaluate them. Then, we can determine the cause of the fever and recommend appropriate treatment. 

Babies with a rectal temperature between 100.4℉ and 102℉ or higher should be seen here promptly.

2. What are the other symptoms you or your child is experiencing?

What are the other symptoms if you or your child has more than a fever? 

If a fever is accompanied by chills, digestive troubles, sore muscles, appetite loss, or nausea or vomiting, medical attention is essential.

3. How long has the fever been present?

As we noted, a fever lasting a few days is normal, but if it lingers, it may indicate something more complicated and indicate that it's time to see the doctor.

When you visit us with a fever that’s worrisome for you or your child, we have an array of treatments we can offer.

4. What’s the fever’s root cause?

It is critical to determine why a fever is present for your provider to be successful in treating and banishing it. The only way to do this is to have an in-depth, in-person visit with your Primary Care Walk-In Clinic provider. 

They discuss the details of your symptoms, how long your fever has persisted, and may order lab tests for diagnostic purposes. 

Over-the-counter medications containing acetaminophen, such as Tylenol®, help lower fever, as do NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications), such as ibuprofen and aspirin. If prescription fever-reducing medication is needed, your provider may recommend antibiotics or special antiviral medicine.

In addition to the treatment your provider advises, you can take steps at home to support your health and lower your fever. 

It’s important to stay well hydrated, so keep water close by, and though it may be tempting to go full speed ahead ASAP, especially if you don’t have any other symptoms except a fever, don’t do it! Getting sufficient rest is critical to truly kicking an elevated temperature for good.

If you have a high or prolonged fever, call our Mesa, Fountain Hills, Gilbert, or Scottsdale office to schedule an appointment so you can start feeling better soon. You can also book an appointment online.