Name: High Temperature in Adults: How to Manage | Healthwords
Creator: Dr Roger Henderson
Published: 2021-05-21T10:38:57.528Z

If you are not sure of the cause of your fever, it would be best to speak with your doctor. If you have had a fever for more than five days, severe pain in your tummy, joints, head or anywhere else, new rashes, shortness of breath, confusion or a new headache, or you feel bothered by bright lights or your neck feels stiff to move, then you should seek urgent medical advice.

When should I see my doctor?

Don't let a high temperature overwhelm you. Discover effective strategies to manage elevated body temperature and promote recovery. Manage your health today.

High Temperature in Adults: How to Manage | Healthwords

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine you. Depending on the possible diagnosis, blood tests, urine tests or imaging (for example a chest X-ray) could be carried out, or you may be referred to a specialist department. The doctor may also prescribe some medication such as pain relief or antibiotics to help with your symptoms.

What will my doctor do?

If you have a thermometer that shows a temperature on or above 38°C (100.4°F) then you have a documented fever. This is likely the cause of an infection or inflammatory process going on in the body.

What counts as a high temperature?

Dioralyte Blackcurrant Oral Electrolyte Powder (6 Sachets)

Panadol Advance (16 Tablets)

Anadin Extra (16 Caplets)

Cuprofen Maximum Strength Tablets (Ibuprofen 400mg) (96 Tablets)

Panadol Extra Soluble (24 Tablets)

O.R.S Hydration Tablets - LEMON (24 Soluble Tablets)

O.R.S Immune JUICY ORANGE (20 Soluble Tablets)

O.R.S Hydration Tablets -  BLACKCURRANT (24 Soluble Tablets)

O.R.S Hydration Tablets - STRAWBERRY (24 Soluble Tablets)

Starting simple is the best way to get well soon. Make sure you get lots of rest and take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you are feeling unwell, as this will bring the fever down. Keeping [hydrated ](https://www.healthwords.ai/article/hydration-in-a-nutshell-67)is essential, and with a fever, you lose more fluids than usual. You should aim to drink at least the usual recommended daily fluid, and increase your intake if your urine is darker than a pale straw colour.

Healthwords pharmacists' top tips

Stomach ache is very common and there are many causes of it, however, the majority are not caused by anything worrying and improve on their own or with simple over-the-counter treatment. 

The most common causes are:

- trapped wind - [bloating](https://www.healthwords.ai/symptom/bloating)
- [indigestion](https://www.healthwords.ai/symptom/indigestion-dyspepsia-symptoms-and-treatments-430)
- stomach irritation
- [constipation](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/constipation-causes-symptoms-and-treatments)
- [diarrhoea](https://www.healthwords.ai/symptom/diarrhoea)
- food poisoning - [Rotavirus](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/rotavirus)
- irritable bowel syndrome ([IBS](https://www.healthwords.ai/treatment/ibs-triggers-and-treatments-to-ease-your-symptoms)
- can also be a normal part of many women’s [menstruation symptoms](https://www.healthwords.ai/treatment/period-pain-how-to-manage)

There are more serious causes of stomach aches however these are less common. Some examples of these include [appendicitis](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/appendicitis-246), kidney infection or [stones](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/kidney-stones), and gallstones.

Dr Kandi - Abdominal Pain

Glandular fever is a throat infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, and is also known as infectious mononucleosis. It usually affects teenagers and young adults but can affect people of any age. It gets better by itself without treatment, usually after two or three weeks, although some people might feel extremely tired for many months after.

It presents like any other viral infection with fever, cough, [sore throat](https://www.healthwords.ai/article/sore-throat-triggers-and-treatments-to-soothe-and-repair-337) and feeling generally unwell. You may notice your tonsils enlarge, and the glands you can feel on the outside of your neck get bulky and sore.

Antibiotics will not help treat this condition, as they have no effect on viruses.

Dr Kandi - Glandular fever

A common cold is an infection of your nose and throat, caused by viruses. Symptoms of a [common cold](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/common-cold-655) can include a [blocked nose](https://www.healthwords.ai/symptom/blocked-nose-and-nasal-congestion), [sore throat](https://www.healthwords.ai/article/sore-throat-triggers-and-treatments-to-soothe-and-repair-337), headaches, muscle aches (not always), [cough](https://www.healthwords.ai/treatment/coughs-how-to-soothe-symptoms-and-when-to-worry-512) (dry or chesty), sneezing, temperature (not always), loss of taste or smell.

Headaches are very common health conditions that most people will experience from time to time. Several things can trigger a headache; emotional factors (stress, sleep, [depression](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/depression), anxiety), associated infections ([cold](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/common-cold-655), flu, hay fever), environment (noise, temperature, humidity), including other factors such as [hydration status](https://www.healthwords.ai/article/hydration-in-a-nutshell-67), medication-related, and caffeine intake.

Headaches are very common health conditions that most people will experience from time to time. Several things can trigger a headache; emotional factors ([stress](https://www.healthwords.ai/article/stress), [sleep](https://www.healthwords.ai/symptom/insomnia), [depression](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/depression), [anxiety](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/anxiety), associated infections ([cold](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/common-cold-655), flu, [hay fever](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/hay-fever-697), environment (noise, temperature, humidity), including other factors such as [hydration ](https://www.healthwords.ai/article/hydration-in-a-nutshell-67)status, medication-related, and caffeine intake.

Symptoms of [COVID-19 ](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/covid-19-coronavirus)have changed as the virus has evolved into different strains, and as the population has mostly become vaccinated. Those infected with the current most common strain, Omicron, are more likely to have milder symptoms of a cold or flu.

This is especially true if you are fully vaccinated. You are likely to feel unwell for a few days but will be able to fight it off, especially if you are young, fit and in good health usually.

That said, no one enjoys the flu or even a cold very much, so let’s take you through some simple measures to help you feel better.

Most of us have felt the effects of a [common cold](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/common-cold-655) – adults get one once or twice a year, and children up to six times a year. Less people have had the [flu](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/flu-521), but it's another bothersome virus causing trouble. Symptoms can include a [blocked nose](https://www.healthwords.ai/symptom/blocked-nose-and-nasal-congestion), [sore throat](https://www.healthwords.ai/article/sore-throat-triggers-and-treatments-to-soothe-and-repair-337), [headaches](https://www.healthwords.ai/symptom/headaches), muscle aches (not always), cough ([dry](https://www.healthwords.ai/symptom/dry-cough) or [chesty](https://www.healthwords.ai/symptom/productive-chesty-cough-621), sneezing, [temperature](https://www.healthwords.ai/symptom/high-temperature-fever) (not always), loss of taste or smell.

Most of us have felt the effects of a common cold – adults catch one once or twice every year, and children up to six times a year. The symptoms of a cold are caused by a viral infection, with rhinovirus being the most likely culprit. Colds typically circulate in autumn and winter, especially among children at school or nursery.

There is no cure as such, your immune system will fight the virus and overcome it within 1 to 2 weeks. Antibiotics have no benefit for the common cold as they are only effective against bacterial infections. Treatments aim to relieve symptoms, but they won’t speed up getting rid of a cold.

Colds usually appear in autumn and winter, although common viruses have been thrown out of sync by the [COVID-19](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/covid-19-coronavirus) pandemic, where we weren’t mixing as usual, with lockdowns, limited social or work interaction and with mandatory mask-wearing.

It’s thought that our immune system needs to keep meeting these common viruses to keep us protected, and during the pandemic, this immunity was lost to an extent. So as doctors, we’ve been seeing [coughs](https://www.healthwords.ai/treatment/coughs-how-to-soothe-symptoms-and-when-to-worry-512) and colds during the summer in the last couple of years, when this would have previously been very rare.

Dr Kandi - Common cold

Children get ill from time to time – they pick up [diarrhoea and vomiting](https://www.healthwords.ai/symptom/diarrhoea-and-vomiting-how-to-get-through-it) bugs at nursery, and the coughs, colds and sore throats roll in at the start of every autumn term. Sharing their germs with each other is essential to strengthen their immune systems, and this doesn’t usually need medication or a doctor’s opinion.

Which may leave you wondering, at what point should you worry? You’ve heard that [dehydration](https://www.healthwords.ai/article/dehydration-and-heatstroke) is to be avoided, but how can you tell if they’re dehydrated? You know fevers are common, but when should this concern you? As practising family doctors here at Healthwords, we’ll take you through what we’re looking for in sick children and when there’s cause for concern.

Weight Loss Medication: Are They Right for You?

Losing weight can be extremely challenging for some people. Even with a change in diet and increased exercise, they may still struggle to lose it. In scenarios like this, weight loss medication could be the answer. Different prescription weight loss drugs are available, but you may be wondering how effective they actually are and which one is right for you.

In this guide, we explore your options with weight loss mediation.

Dr Kandi - Childhood fever advice

Dehydration is a condition characterised by an inadequate amount of fluid in the body, resulting from either insufficient fluid intake or excessive fluid loss. This imbalance disrupts the body's normal functions and can lead to a range of symptoms and health complications. Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in, causing a decrease in the volume of water and electrolytes (such as sodium, potassium, and chloride) circulating in the body. This can happen due to various factors, including excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, prolonged exposure to heat, or insufficient fluid intake. Dehydration can manifest with symptoms such as thirst, dry mouth, dark urine, fatigue, dizziness, headache, confusion, and, in severe cases, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, and loss of consciousness. Prompt recognition and treatment of dehydration are essential to restore fluid balance, prevent complications, and promote overall well-being.

Ensuring adequate [hydration](https://www.healthwords.ai/article/hydration-in-a-nutshell-67) to ensure our bodies remain healthy can be a tough ask, especially in hot conditions, and during strenuous activities or exercise. Hot temperatures and increased water and salt losses can lead to dehydration. Mild dehydration may be felt as thirst, headache, mild dizziness, reduced need to urinate and dry skin. In its more severe form, dehydration can result in reduced alertness, fatigue, muscle cramps, loss of consciousness and long-term damage to your kidneys.

Dr Kandi - Skin PINCH HYDRATION TEST

Heat and ice can be great tools for helping treat or improve a wide range of ailments from [chronic pain](https://www.healthwords.ai/symptom/chronic-pain) to injury and inflammation. It can also help in certain medical conditions such as [arthritis](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/arthritis-380). But which one to use? The general rule is that ice helps with swelling and inflammation whereas heat helps increase healing and reduce muscle stiffness or spasms. Let’s get a bit more specific, and get you on the road to recovery.

Dr Kim - Pain Relief

Is your lifestyle stressing your skin out?

We have all had that important date in the diary coming up, and a day or so before, what happens – our skin breaks out. There are many different things in our day to day life that can affect how our skin is reacting. Some in the short term, and others over the long term. Here the Healthwords medical team takes a look at some of these lifestyle factors in detail that can contribute to changes with your skin.  

The paromyxovirus virus causes the viral infection known as mumps, which is very contagious, and considered to be a disease of childhood, although numbers have significantly reduced since the MMR vaccine was introduced - a combined vaccine given in several doses in early childhood protecting against [measles](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/measles), mumps and rubella. Mumps is therefore now most common in children who have not received the MMR vaccine as having the vaccine reduces the risk of getting mumps by around 85%.

Just like the viruses causing colds and flu, mumps is easily spread from infected saliva or mucus in the mouth, nose or throat and can be inhaled or picked up from contaminated surfaces and transferred to the mouth or nose.

The most common symptom of mumps is a swelling of the parotid salivary gland in front of the ear, usually affecting just one side of the face, and giving a characteristic ‘hamster’ appearance, known as parotitis. These [swollen glands](https://www.healthwords.ai/symptom/swollen-glands-205) usually last for 5-8 days before settling down.

A few days before this swelling appears, people can also experience high temperatures, headaches and muscle aches. For this reason, people are most infectious a few days before the symptoms develop and for a few days after. About a quarter of people with mumps experience no symptoms and most children with mumps are back to normal after 10 days.

You have clusters of lymph nodes all over the body, and people often refer to these as glands. Most people have experienced them swelling at the time of a cold or tonsilitis, just under the jawline on either side of the neck. 

When you’re well, you can’t usually feel lymph nodes (although it is possible to feel ones that are close to the surface of the skin!). They swell up in a normal response to infection, which is when you can feel them more prominently in the neck, armpits or groin. They also sit in the chest and tummy.  

There are some occasions when one or more lymph nodes may be concerning, and need to be checked out. 

Roseola is a very common illness that affects babies and young children. It is caused by two strains of the herpes virus (6 and 7). There is a full range of signs and symptoms affecting children to varying degrees but for the majority, it isn’t usually serious and most people get it only once.

Adults can become infected with the disease if they have never been exposed to it as a child but unlike the [chickenpox](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/chickenpox-17) infection, it is usually milder in healthy adults.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is a type of blood [cancer](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/cancer-294) that develops from the lymphatic system. This system is a network of vessels throughout your body that work as part of your immune system, carrying fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells, called lymphocytes, to where they detect a threat.

In NHL, these lymphocytes become dysfunctional and multiply out of control. They can then collect in different areas of the lymphatic system known as the lymph glands, and this can cause swelling you can see and feel in certain areas of the body. The consequence is that the lymphatic system becomes less able to fight infections.

There are two types of lymphoma – NHL and Hodgkin’s lymphoma – and around 4 in 5 of cases are the NHL type.

NHL can occur at any age, but your chance of developing the condition increases over the age of 50, with just over a third of cases being diagnosed in people over 75. It’s fairly common in the UK, within the top 10 most common cancers and accounts for 1 in 25 of all cancers, with men being more commonly affected than women.

A boil, known medically as a furuncle, is when a hair follicle becomes infected causing a pus-filled lump. It is usually caused by bacteria called Staphylococcus Aureus, which are often found on skin or inside nostrils, and usually cause no harm. However, if there is a break in the skin, the bacteria can get in and cause an infection that leads to a boil.

A boil is a red lump that is painful and initially quite hard, but over the course of about four to seven days gets softer as the amount of pus inside increases. You may see it progress to have a white or yellow head on the lump. The skin around the boil may also become red and sore.

In a few cases, multiple boils can occur in the same area, known as a carbuncle. The pus may come out of the boil on its own or be reabsorbed by the body. Once the pus is released it can take around four to five days for the boil to heal and it may leave a scar. The advice is not to try and burst the boil yourself.

Most small boils go away on their own without the need for treatment. They can be painful especially as the amount of pus in the boil increases. They are usually found in places on the body that are warm and moist or where skin rubs against skin or clothes in areas such as armpits, groin, bum, neck or face. This is because bacteria like warm moist environments and any friction may cause breaks in the skin, allowing bacteria to get in.

Boils are more common in teenagers or young adult males, those with a lowered immune system or [diabetes](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/diabetes-mellitus-300), if you are [overweight ](https://www.healthwords.ai/article/obesity-and-being-overweight-the-scale-of-the-problem-and-benefits-of-weight-loss)or already have a skin problem that may then make you itch or scratch your skin.

A carbuncle is when multiple [boils](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/boils-864) (or [furuncles](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/furuncle) form close together. It occurs due to hair follicles next to each other becoming infected causing pus-filled lumps that may converge to be one larger lump. 

It is usually caused by bacteria known as Staphylococcus Aureus, which is a normal part of skin or inside nostrils in some people. It tends to cause no harm, although it can cause an infection such as a boil if it gets under the skin. 

Boils, or furuncles, look like red lumps that are painful and initially quite hard but over the course of four to seven days get softer as the amount of pus inside increases. The pus or infection can join together between each boil to become a carbuncle. You may see it progress to have a white or yellow head on the lump. The skin around the boils may also become red and sore. The pus may come out of the boils on their own or be reabsorbed by the body. 

Once the pus is released it can take around four to five days for the boil to heal and may leave a scar. The advice is not to try and burst the boil yourself, as it is not usually done in a clean way and may lead to re-infection.
 
Whilst boils are quite common in male teenagers and young adults, carbuncles are mainly seen in middle aged and elderly men and you are more likely to develop them if you suffer from [diabetes](https://www.healthwords.ai/article/diabetes-in-a-nutshell) or have a lowered immune system. They can be painful especially as the amount of pus trapped inside increases. They are usually found in places on the body that are hairy while also being warm and moist, such as the neck or on the back. These conditions allow the bacteria to flourish, and any friction may cause small breaks in the skin allowing the bacteria to get in.

Hypothermia is a medical emergency. It occurs when your body gets to dangerously low temperatures, below 35°C. This can be life-threatening. At temperatures this low, your vital organs cannot function properly resulting in organ failure or death as your body fails to retain any heat.

Sweating is a normal healthy process to help us regulate our body temperature. However, sometimes this system can go into overdrive, causing an excess, or hyperhidrosis. People feel extremely embarassed about this and it can create great anxiety and lack of confidence in social settings.  

It can be localised, such as just under the armpits, the back or on the face, or affect all over the body. There are some medical conditions that can cause this, but often there is no particular cause found. 

A febrile seizure (sometimes called a febrile convulsion or febrile fit) happens when some babies and toddlers have a high temperature (a fever.) It can be alarming and scary to see, but it's usually harmless, and most children make a complete recovery. It’s best to get your child checked out the first time this happens, so take them to the nearest hospital or call an ambulance if your child is having a seizure.

Children aged between 6 months and 3 years are most commonly affected, and around 5% of children have a febrile [seizure](https://www.healthwords.ai/symptom/seizures-in-children) before the age of 6. It doesn’t affect every child, but once they’ve one febrile convulsion, they have a higher chance of having a seizure with the next feverish illness – the chance is about 1 in 3. They are rare under the age of 3 months and after the age of 6.

[Teething](https://www.healthwords.ai/article/teething-signs-and-symptoms-and-how-to-help) is a natural developmental process where an infant’s first set of teeth, known as primary or baby teeth, begin to emerge through the gums. This usually starts between 4 and 7 months of age, although it varies. Some babies might begin teething as early as three months, while others may not start until closer to their first birthday. The teething process can last until the child is about three, as the full set of baby teeth gradually emerges.

Teething is an important milestone, but it can also be challenging for babies and parents. The discomfort associated with teeth breaking through the gums can lead to various symptoms, some of which may cause concern for caregivers. Understanding these symptoms is crucial for identifying what is expected during teething and what might indicate another issue, such as an illness that could cause a fever.

Dr Roger Henderson

Chief Content Officer

High temperature, fever, chills, or any other name you give it, is a sure sign that your body's immune system is at work trying to fight something off. The common causes of a high temperature are viruses or bacteria causing infection, but there are many other causes. You will normally feel unwell with a fever, and may be swinging from feeling cold and shivery and getting under the duvet to burning up and feeling hot and sweaty. You may have a hot head, chest or back when you put a hand to it.

High Temperature (Fever)

What counts as a high temperature?

Healthwords pharmacists' top tips

Pharmacist recommended products

When should I see my doctor?

What will my doctor do?

Related topics

Stomach Ache

Glandular Fever

Medicine for Colds

Best Painkillers for Headaches

Headache Treatments

Managing COVID symptoms

Cold and Flu Tablets

Common Cold

My Sick Child: When should I worry?

Weight Loss Medication: Are They Right for You?

Dehydration and Heatstroke

Pain Relief: Heat pack vs Ice pack

Is your lifestyle stressing your skin out?

Mumps

Swollen Glands

Roseola

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Boils

Carbuncle

Hypothermia

Excessive Sweating

Febrile Seizures

Can teething cause fever in babies?