Getting a fever can be both unpleasant and scary. Here’s what to know about how to break a fever fast…and why that might not be as important as you think…according to infectious disease specialist Lori Handy, MD.
We usually think of fever as a body temperature above 98.6°F, but some people naturally run cooler and some warmer. A high temperature for one person could be a routine fever for the next. Most physicians consider a fever a temperature of 101.5°F or higher for people over two months of age…and 100.5°F or higher for younger babies. By “low-grade fever,” we generally mean one close to 101.5°F that’s not particularly debilitating. For those with underlying medical conditions, including anything from kidney disease to asthma to cancer, it’s always best to consult with a health-care provider who can provide advice on how a fever may be more significant related to the underlying disease.
Fever is an adaptive immune response when something is wrong with your body, usually an infectious disease such as flu, a common cold or COVID. Some fevers stem from bacterial infections such as cellulitis, bone infections, pneumonia or strep throat. Non-infectious causes of fever occur as well, including childhood leukemia, inflammatory bowel disease and other autoimmune disorders.
Surprising: You also might run a fever after getting vaccinated. That means the shot is working, exercising your immune system against the illness the vaccine is designed to protect you from. These typically are low-grade fevers lasting one day, at most two, but certain vaccines are more reactogenic—meaning people may have a high fever, accompanied by the feeling of chills. This was definitely observed by the public firsthand with mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 prevention.
Elevated body temperature may be accompanied by chills and a general malaise that includes feeling run down and fatigued. Many symptoms we typically associate with fever, such as nausea, muscle aches and loss of appetite actually are symptoms of the condition causing the high temperature.
Not nearly as dangerous as most people think. A high temperature won’t “cook your brain” or cause other lasting damage. If the fever isn’t keeping you from hydrating or caring for the underlying illness, you needn’t try to bring it down just to see a lower number on the thermometer. As noted above, people with underlying health conditions should consult with their health-care provider to best understand how to manage fever.
When to be concerned: Contact your doctor if a fever persists more than three days, especially if accompanied by breathing problems, severe stomach pains and/or hydration issues. Also, if you are elderly or have any chronic medical conditions, contact your doctor at the first sign of fever and describe your symptoms. Certain illnesses can be more severe in these populations, and those people can benefit from early treatment.
Bed rest, hydration and cool compresses do not break a fever…they only comfort the sick person. The only real way to break a fever is with over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen, or treating the underlying illness if it is a bacterial infection such as pneumonia or an ear infection that requires antibiotics. Home remedies such as chicken soup are harmless and comforting. If your family has a favorite remedy that you’re wondering about, ask your doctor if it’s okay to use with an over-the-counter fever reducer.
Beware: Don’t ever give a feverish person an ice bath. Not only will this not break the fever, but it will put undue stress on the body.
