Know When to Go to the ER for a Fever

Almost everyone has experienced a fever at some point. In most cases, a fever isn’t a dangerous problem, and it goes away on its own with lots of rest, hydration and over-the-counter medications. However, there are times when a fever becomes very high and won't break, or is accompanied by other symptoms that may indicate something more serious requiring immediate medical attention.

Let’s talk more about what causes a fever, when to go to the ER, when it’s safe to monitor it at home and tips on preventing potential fever complications.

What Causes a Fever?

A fever is a temperature of 100.4°F or above. The most common cause of a fever is your body's immune system responding to a bacterial or viral infection. Common infections include:

• Adenovirus
• Bronchitis
• Coronavirus (like COVID-19)
• Enterovirus
• Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
• Food poisoning
• Influenza (flu)
• Pneumonia
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• Rhinovirus (common cold)
• Stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis)
• Strep throat
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Sometimes a fever can occur without an infection. People with autoimmune disorders, like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or hyperthyroidism, will sometimes have a fever. Some medications can also cause a fever, such as antibiotics, anti-seizure drugs, heart medications and chemotherapy agents. Talk to your doctor if you are ever concerned about the cause of your fever.

If you recently received a vaccination, such as for the flu or COVID-19, you may experience a low-grade fever as your body builds immunity to the disease.

When Is It Safe to Monitor My Fever at Home?

In many cases, it’s safe to monitor and treat your fever at home, especially if it's a low-grade fever that isn’t accompanied by any emergency-related symptoms, like difficulty breathing or a stiff neck.

Some of the best ways to help treat a fever at home include:

• Applying a cold compress to your forehead or neck, or taking a lukewarm bath
• Getting lots of quality rest
• Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids such as water, clear broths and electrolyte drinks
• Using over-the-counter medications, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to stay comfortable
• Wearing light, breathable clothing

But if you’re ever unsure whether you need to visit the doctor and your doctor’s office is closed, it’s best to go to your nearest urgent care or emergency room for the prompt care you deserve.

How to Know When to Visit the ER

Fevers under 102°F in adults and children and are normally considered a nonemergency situation. These lower-grade fevers generally go away on their own with rest and hydration.

A fever between 102°F and 104°F is not necessarily an emergency, but should be watched closely in case it doesn't break or is accompanied by symptoms that would need emergency care. It's always a good idea to call your primary care provider (PCP) if you or a loved one has a high fever to get more personalized advice.

Any fever in an adult or child over 104°F should be considered an emergency. For infants under three months old, a fever of 100.4°F or higher should be treated as a pediatric emergency, and the same applies to young kids ages 3 months to 3 years with a fever of 102.2°F or higher.

In many cases, a fever will break on its own. However, if it lasts for two to three days and doesn't seem to be breaking or responding to medications, it's time to visit the ER.

You should also treat a fever as an emergency if any of the following symptoms are present:

• Abdominal pain
• Chest pain
• Confusion
• Constant vomiting
• Dehydration
• Extreme tiredness
• Intense muscle pain
• Loss of consciousness
• Pain while urinating
• Seizures
• Severe headache
• Skin rash
• Stiff neck
• Swelling in the body
• Trouble breathing
• Trouble speaking

If you’re pregnant or immunocompromised, please let your doctor know whenever you are experiencing a fever since you’re at an increased risk for complications.

How to Prevent Fever Complications

While most fevers come and go and don't cause additional health concerns, in some cases, an untreated fever can lead to complications. This is especially true for high fevers that aren’t treated as emergencies. If your fever has not broken in several days, you have a chronic health condition or are experiencing any of the symptoms above, don’t hesitate to seek ER care.

Possible fever complications include:

• Brain swelling
• Meningitis
• Organ failure
• Respiratory failure
• Rheumatic fever
• Seizures
• Sepsis

The best way to help prevent serious fever complications is to understand when to go to the ER and act accordingly.

How to Prepare for Your ER Visit

If you need to visit your nearest emergency room for a fever, there are a few things you should bring, including:

• Current medication list
• Health insurance card
• ID, such as a driver's license
• List of any known allergies
• Stuffed toy, blanket or other comfort items, especially for kids
• Support person, such as a spouse, family member or close friend

And be ready to let our ER team members know exactly when the fever started and what symptoms you’ve had so far.

How Our ERs Treat Fevers

When you visit the emergency room, a triage nurse will ask you about your current health and any medical issues you're experiencing. They’ll take your temperature to get a reading of your current fever. From there, your doctor will work to find the underlying reason for your fever through blood work, chest X-rays, a physical exam and urinalysis.

Once your doctor has an understanding of what’s causing the fever, there are several ways to treat it, including:

• Administering fever-reducing medications
• Applying cooling blankets, baths or ice packs
• IV fluids for hydration
• Treating the underlying cause of the fever, such as an infection

Depending on your medical situation, you may stay in the emergency room for a few hours or be moved to a hospital room for overnight monitoring of your fever and other symptoms. Your ER doctor will also advise you to follow up with your PCP or pediatrician for continued care.

24-Hour ER Fever Care for Peace of Mind

Fevers can be common, and most aren’t something you need to worry about. However, when a fever is high, doesn’t seem to be breaking on its own and is accompanied by emergency-related symptoms, a trip to your nearest AdventHealth emergency care location is necessary.

Our compassionate emergency care team members are here to provide medical care to you and your family any time, day or night, so you can get the treatment you need to feel better, fast.