What Is Considered to Be Fever for COVID-19?

Common COVID-19 symptoms include a body temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher, but not everyone will develop a fever.

Fever is a common symptom of COVID-19. A body temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher is generally seen in people with COVID-19, although some people may feel as though they have fever even though their temperature readings are normal.

A fever occurs when your body temperature is higher than normal. Normal body temperature is typically about 98.6 degrees F, although it varies from person to person. On average, however, a body temperature over 100.4. degrees F is considered to be a fever.

For children, fever may vary depending on the site on the body where the temperature was recorded:

• 99.5 degrees F when measured orally
• 99 degrees F when measured in the armpit
• 100.4 degrees F when measured rectally

Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2-14 days after exposure to infection. However, many people do not exhibit symptoms even though they are infected with the virus. This includes people who have been vaccinated in the past. This means that having a normal body temperature does not exclude COVID-19 infection. 

Besides fever, other symptoms of COVID-19 may include:

• Cough
• Runny nose
• Body aches
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Nausea with or without vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of taste
• Loss of smell
• Abdominal pain

Some people have reported other symptoms such as dizziness, skin rash, or pink eye (conjunctivitis). 

Not everyone who is infected with COVID-19 will develop a fever. Some people may have other symptoms such as cough and difficulty breathing without fever, whereas some may not have any symptoms at all. Many people with COVID-19 have even reported symptoms that seem to come and go.

Mild symptoms or no symptoms are commonly seen in the initial phase of the infection. The absence of symptoms, however, does not mean the absence of infection. Asymptomatic people can transmit the infection to others. Therefore, if you think that you have been exposed to COVID-19, you should call your doctor and get tested to confirm.

If you are not sure whether your fever or other symptoms are due to COVID-19, talk to your doctor. Seek medical attention immediately if you notice:

• Fever higher than 102 degrees F in children or 103 degrees F in adults
• Trouble breathing
• Bluish discoloration of the skin (often seen on the tip of the nose, lips, hands, feet, and inside the mouth)
• Confusion, excessive sleepiness, or altered mental state.
• Signs of dehydration
• Chest pain or discomfort.
• {rogressive worsening of symptoms