Fever, also referred to as pyrexia, is defined as having a temperature above the normal range due to an increase in the body's temperature set point.[1][6][7] There is not a single agreed-upon upper limit for normal temperature with sources using values between 37.2 and 38.3 °C (99.0 and 100.9 °F) in humans.[1][2][8] The increase in set point triggers increased muscle contractions and causes a feeling of cold.[3] This results in greater heat production and efforts to conserve heat.[4] When the set point temperature returns to normal, a person feels hot, becomes flushed, and may begin to sweat.[4] Rarely a fever may trigger a febrile seizure, with this being more common in young children.[5] Fevers do not typically go higher than 41 to 42 °C (105.8 to 107.6 °F).[7]
Treatment to reduce fever is generally not required.[3][9] Treatment of associated pain and inflammation, however, may be useful and help a person rest.[9] Medications such as ibuprofenorparacetamol (acetaminophen) may help with this as well as lower temperature.[9][10] Measures such as putting a cool damp cloth on the forehead and having a slightly warm bath are not useful and may simply make a person more uncomfortable.[9] Children younger than three months require medical attention, as might people with serious medical problems such as a compromised immune system or people with other symptoms.[15]Hyperthermia does require treatment.[3]
Fever is one of the most common medical signs.[3] It is part of about 30% of healthcare visits by children[3] and occurs in up to 75% of adults who are seriously sick.[11] While fever evolved as a defense mechanism, treating fever does not appear to worsen outcomes.[16][17] Fever is often viewed with greater concern by parents and healthcare professionals than is usually deserved, a phenomenon known as fever phobia.[3][18]
^ abcdDinarello CA, Porat R (2018). "Chapter 15: Fever". In Jameson JL, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, Hauser SL, Longo DL, Loscalzo, J (eds.). Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. Vol. 1–2 (20th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. ISBN9781259644030. Archived from the original on 1 August 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
^ abcdeCite error: The named reference NC08 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ abcGarmel GM, Mahadevan SV, eds. (2012). "Fever in adults". An introduction to clinical emergency medicine (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 375. ISBN978-0521747769. Archived from the original on 1 August 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
^ abCite error: The named reference CC09 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ abGarmel GM, Mahadevan SV, eds. (2012). An introduction to clinical emergency medicine (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 401. ISBN978-0521747769.
^ abKiekkas P, Aretha D, Bakalis N, Karpouhtsi I, Marneras C, Baltopoulos GI (August 2013). "Fever effects and treatment in critical care: literature review". Australian Critical Care. 26 (3): 130–35. doi:10.1016/j.aucc.2012.10.004. PMID23199670.
^ abcGarmel GM, Mahadevan SV, eds. (2012). An introduction to clinical emergency medicine (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 5. ISBN978-0521747769.
^"Fever". MedlinePlus. 30 August 2014. Archived from the original on 11 May 2009.
^Schaffner A (March 2006).『Fieber – nützliches oder schädliches, zu behandelndes Symptom?』[Fever–useful or noxious symptom that should be treated?]. Therapeutische Umschau (in German). 63 (3): 185–88. doi:10.1024/0040-5930.63.3.185. PMID16613288. Abstract alone is in German and in English.
^Niven DJ, Stelfox HT, Laupland KB (June 2013). "Antipyretic therapy in febrile critically ill adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis". Journal of Critical Care. 28 (3): 303–10. doi:10.1016/j.jcrc.2012.09.009. PMID23159136.
^Crocetti M, Moghbeli N, Serwint J (June 2001). "Fever Phobia Revisited: Have Parental Misconceptions About Fever Changed in 20 Years?". Pediatrics. 107 (6): 1241–1246. doi:10.1542/peds.107.6.1241. PMID11389237.
