Fever: Check Your Symptoms and Signs With the Symptom Checker by MedicineNet.com

Fever Symptoms

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Fever is considered a temperature above 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C). A feverish sensation, however, may occur when the body temperature is above the average normal of 98.6 degrees F. (37 degrees C).

Fever is part of the body's own disease-fighting arsenal. Rising body temperatures apparently are capable of killing off many disease- producing organisms. For that reason, low fevers should normally go untreated. Although, if the fever is accompanied by any other troubling symptoms, you may need to see your doctor to be certain. As fevers range to 104 degrees F and above, however, there can be unwanted consequences, particularly for children. These can include delirium and convulsions. A fever of this sort demands immediate home treatment and then medical attention. Home treatment possibilities include the use of aspirin or, in children, non-aspirin pain-killers such as acetaminophen, cool baths, or sponging to reduce the fever while seeking medical help. Fever may occur with almost any type of infection of illness. The temperature is measured with a thermometer.

Fever is also called pyrexia.

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Causes of Fever

Adenovirus 14 Adenovirus infection, particularly Ad14, or the "killer cold virus" has been on the increase in the past two years. Symptoms...learn more »
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Cat Scratch Disease Cat scratch disease (CSD or cat scratch fever), a bacterial disease caused by Bartonella henselae, is characterized by fever,...learn more »
Cellulitis Cellulitis is an acute spreading bacterial infection below the surface of the skin characterized by redness, warmth,...learn more »
Chickenpox (Varicella) Chickenpox (chicken pox) is a contagious childhood disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Symptoms have an incubation...learn more »
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Chronic fatigue syndrome is a debilitating and complex disorder characterized by profound fatigue that lasts 6 months or longer,...learn more »
Cold, Flu, Allergy Treatments Before treating a cold, the flu, or allergies with over-the-counter (OTC) medications, it's important to know what's causing the...learn more »
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Coxsackie Virus Coxsackie viruses may be divided into two groups. Type A causes hand, foot, and mouth disease and conjunctivitis, while type B...learn more »
Croup Croup is a contagious viral infection that affects children's respiratory system. Symptoms include a barking cough, stridor,...learn more »
Dengue Fever Dengue fever is contracted from the bite of a striped Aedes aegypti mosquito. Symptoms of dengue include headache, fever,...learn more »
E. Coli (0157:H7) There are many types of E. Coli (Escherichia coli ). Pathogenic E. coli can cause urinary tract and bladder infections, or lead...learn more »
Endocarditis Endocarditis, a serious infection of one of the four heart valves is caused by growth of bacteria on one of the heart valves;...learn more »
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Fifth Disease Fifth disease (Erythema infectiosum) is caused by a virus known as parvovirus B 19. Symptoms include low-grade fever, fatigue, a...learn more »
Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu) Gastroenteritis (viral gastroenteritis, stomach flu) is an infection caused by a variety of viruses that results in vomiting...learn more »
German Measles (Rubella) German measles is a disease that's caused by a virus. Symptoms include rash and fever for two to three days. The MMR (measles,...learn more »
Group B Strep Group B strep are bacteria called Streptococcus agalactiae that may sometimes cause infections both in a pregnant woman and her...learn more »
Hand Foot and Mouth Disease Hand-foot-and-mouth syndrome is clinical pattern consisting of a rash on the hands and feet, and in the mouth....learn more »
Herpangina Herpangina is a contagious illness often seen in children. It is caused by an enterovirus. Coxsackie virus is the most common...learn more »
Hodgkin's Disease Hodgkin's disease is a cancer of the lymphatic system with symptoms that include unexplained, recurring fevers, unexplained...learn more »
Human Immunodeficiency Virus HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the cause of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV is a type of virus called a...learn more »
Infectious Mononucleosis Infectious mononucleosis is a virus infection in which there is an increase of white blood cells that are mononuclear (with a...learn more »
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Kawasaki Disease Kawasaki disease is a rare children's disease characterized by a fever that lasts more than five days and at least four of the...learn more »
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Legionnaires' Disease Legionellosis is an infection caused by the Legionella pneumophila bacterium. There are two forms of legionellosis: Pontiac fever...learn more »
Leishmaniasis Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by the bite of an infected sand fly. The most common types of leishmania infection are...learn more »
Leptospirosis Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria. The illness progresses in two phases. Symptoms in the first phase...learn more »
Listeria Listeria is a type of bacteria that can cause food poisoning. Listeriosis symptoms include diarrhea, nausea and fever. Pregnant...learn more »
Lyme Disease Lyme disease is a bacterial illness, which is spread by ticks when they bite the skin. Initially the disease affects the skin...learn more »
Malaria Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. Symptoms of malaria include chills,...learn more »
Measles Measles (rubeola) is a highly contagious disease that's caused by a virus. Symptoms include a rash, high fever, cough, runny...learn more »
Melioidosis Melioidosis (Whitmore's disease) is an infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei bacteria. Symptoms include...learn more »
Meningitis Encephalitis is a brain inflammation that causes sudden fever, vomiting, headache, light sensitivity, stiff neck and back,...learn more »
Meningococcemia Meningococcemia is a bloodstream infection caused by Neisseria meningitides. Meningococcemia symptoms include fever, headache,...learn more »
Monkeypox Monkeypox is a viral disease that causes symptoms such as fever, sweating, and a rash with papules and pustules on the face and...learn more »
Mucormycosis Mucormycosis (zygomycosis) is a fungal infection caused by Zygomycetes. Symptoms and signs include fever, headache, coughing,...learn more »
Multiple Myeloma Multiple myeloma is a form of cancer that develops in plasma cells, the white blood cells that make antibodies. Symptoms include...learn more »
Mumps Mumps is an acute viral illness caused by the mumps virus. Symptoms of mumps include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness,...learn more »
NDM-1 NDM-1 (New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase) is an enzyme produced by certain strains of bacteria that have recently acquired the...learn more »
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system, a vital part of the body's immune system. Symptoms include swollen...learn more »
Norovirus Infection Norovirus infection causes stomach flu, or gastroenteritis. It's a very contagious illness with symptoms that include nausea and...learn more »
Pilonidal Cyst A pilonidal cyst is a cyst that forms near the cleft of the buttocks. The cysts are thought to be caused by the penetration of...learn more »
Plague Plague is an infectious disease caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria, which is primarily found in rodents the fleas that feed...learn more »
Pneumonia Pneumonia is inflammation of one or both lungs with consolidation. Pneumonia is frequently but not always due to infection. The...learn more »
Rabies Rabies is a potentially fatal viral infection. Rabies symptoms include fever, headache, myalgia, and can progress to more serious...learn more »
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a highly contagious viral infection. Symptoms include fever and nasal congestion and...learn more »
Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, the tissue around the joints, as...learn more »
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is an infectious disease that's transmitted by the bite of a tick infected with the...learn more »
Roseola Roseola is a viral illness that most commonly affects young children. Symptoms and signs include a sudden high fever that lasts...learn more »
Sarcoidosis Sarcoidosis, a disease resulting from chronic inflammation, causes small lumps (granulomas) to develop in a great range of body...learn more »
SARS Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV. Symptoms include fever and...learn more »
Scarlet Fever Scarlet fever is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria group A Streptococcus. Symptoms and signs include a rash, sore...learn more »
Smallpox Smallpox is a disease caused by the variola virus. Symptoms and signs include a characteristic rash and high fever. Treatment...learn more »
Sore Throat (Pharyngitis) Most sore throats are caused by viruses or mechanical causes (such as mouth breathing) and can be treated successfully at home....learn more »
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Strep Throat Strep throat is a sore throat caused by a bacterium called streptococcus (strep) that can be treated through antibiotics. Common...learn more »
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Toxoplasmosis Toxoplasmosis (toxo) is a parasitic infection that causes flulike symptoms, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle aches and pains that...learn more »
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Typhoid Fever Typhoid fever is an illness caused by the Salmonella typhi bacteria. The illness is contracted by ingesting the bacteria in...learn more »
Typhus Typhus is a disease caused by Rickettsia bacteria. Symptoms and signs include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and...learn more »
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Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infection is the most common type of infection acquired by patients while hospitalized....learn more »
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West Nile Virus West Nile virus (West Nile encephalitis) is a brain infection caused by a virus. People become infected with the virus after...learn more »
Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Whooping cough (pertussis) is highly contagious respiratory infection that is caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. There...learn more »
Yellow Fever Yellow fever is an infectious disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Side effects are rare with the yellow fever vaccine....learn more »

Other Causes of Fever