Fever in adults when to worry

How do you know when to go to the ER for a fever? Because fevers are often treated at home, people don’t tend to think that a fever warrants medical attention.

While this is true for low-grade fevers, it is necessary to go to the ER for higher-grade fevers.

Fever temperature chart adults

If you’re experiencing severe symptoms, your fever persists longer than three days, or your body temperature is 103 degrees or higher, seek emergency care immediately.

A fever occurs when your body temperature rises over the normal temperature of about 98 degrees.

A doctor typically won’t diagnose you with a fever unless your body temperature is at 100.4 degrees or higher. This raise in temperature is usually a sign that your body is trying to fight something off like an infection.

Here are ways to tell the difference between a common fever that can be treated at home versus a fever that warrants emergency care.

Common fever symptoms

Depending on what may be causing your fever, common fever symptoms may include:

• Body temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher
• Shivers
• Sweats
• Dehydration

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