Fever

what is 103 in celsius
what is 103 in celsius

What is a fever?

A fever is when your body temperature rises higher than normal. A fever itself isn’t an illness. Rather, it’s a symptom of a wide range of health conditions. When your body temperature rises a few degrees above normal, it can be a sign that your immune system has been activated, often to fight an infection. It can also be a side effect of some medications and vaccinations.

What is considered a fever?

Common knowledge states that a “normal” body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius). But your baseline body temperature may vary by a degree or more. It also fluctuates. It’s typically lower in the morning and higher in the evening. It’s higher during certain points of your menstrual cycle and when you’re exercising.

Infants and young children normally have slightly higher body temperatures than older children and adults. So infants and younger children have slightly higher fever temperatures.

There are no strict guidelines for what temperature is a fever, because body temperature varies by person, time of day and method of measurement. But healthcare providers most often say a fever temperature is 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C) when measured orally (by mouth).

Rectal and ear thermometers typically measure temperatures at about 1.0 degrees F (0.6 degrees C) higher than oral thermometers. Skin thermometers (such as forehead thermometers) typically measure temperatures at about 1.0 degrees F (0.6 degrees C) lower than oral thermometers.

What is a low-grade fever?

A low-grade fever means a body temperature slightly above normal. This type of fever can be a sign your immune system has been mildly activated. There’s no standard low-grade fever range. But many healthcare providers consider a body temperature between 99.5 degrees F (37.5 degrees C) and 100.3 degrees F (38.3 degrees C) to be a low-grade fever.

What are fever symptoms?

In addition to an elevated temperature, you may experience the following symptoms:

  • Chills, feeling cold, shivering and shaking.
  • Body aches and headaches.
  • Fatigue (tiredness).
  • On and off or constant sweating.
  • Flushed complexion or hot skin.
  • Faster heart beats.

Additional fever symptoms in babies and children may include:

  • Lack of appetite — not eating and drinking well.
  • Earache or pulling at their ears.
  • High-pitched crying.
  • Fussiness.
  • Paleness or flushness.
  • Excessive thirst.
  • Decreased urination.