{"id":33524,"date":"2026-07-01T12:30:43","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T07:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/?p=33524"},"modified":"2026-07-01T12:54:40","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T07:24:40","slug":"down-with-fever-dos-and-donts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/down-with-fever-dos-and-donts\/","title":{"rendered":"Down with Fever: Dos and Don\u2019ts to Follow"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"fever<\/span><\/p>\n

Fever is a body temperature above the normal level of 98.6\u00b0F (37\u00b0C).<\/a> Medically, fever is considered significant if it reaches 100.4\u00b0F (38\u00b0C) or higher. Fever often signals that your immune system is actively fighting an infection or inflammation.<\/p>\n

Depending on the cause, a person may experience other symptoms, such as sweating, shivering, headache, dehydration, and muscle aches. Infections are the most common cause of fever, but other factors include hypersensitivity reactions, food allergies, blood transfusions, and certain types of cancer.<\/span><\/p>\n

In most cases, fever is beneficial, as it helps the body fight infections. The main goal of managing fever is to improve comfort. Over-the-counter medications, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, are often used; however, a severe fever may require immediate medical attention.<\/span><\/p>\n

In this guide, we’ll cover the common fever symptoms to watch for, what to do (and avoid) at home, safe use of OTC medication, and when it’s time to see a doctor.<\/p>\n

Fever Grades: What the Numbers Mean<\/b><\/h2>\n

While exact cutoffs can vary slightly by source, here’s a general guide to fever categories:<\/span><\/p>\n