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[](https://www.nih.gov/ "National Institutes of Health") [National Library of Medicine](https://www.nlm.nih.gov/) [](https://medlineplus.gov/) Menu - [Health Topics](https://medlineplus.gov/healthtopics.html) - [Drugs & Supplements](https://medlineplus.gov/druginformation.html) - [Genetics](https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/) - [Medical Tests](https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/) - [Medical Encyclopedia](https://medlineplus.gov/encyclopedia.html) - [About MedlinePlus](https://medlineplus.gov/about/) Search - [About MedlinePlus](https://medlineplus.gov/about/) - [What's New](https://medlineplus.gov/whatsnew/) - [Site Map](https://medlineplus.gov/sitemap.html) - [Customer Support](https://support.nlm.nih.gov/knowledgebase/category/?id=CAT-01231&category=medlineplus&from=https%3A//medlineplus.gov/fever.html) - [Health Topics](https://medlineplus.gov/healthtopics.html) - [Drugs & Supplements](https://medlineplus.gov/druginformation.html) - [Genetics](https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/) - [Medical Tests](https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/) - [Medical Encyclopedia](https://medlineplus.gov/encyclopedia.html) [Español](https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/fever.html "Español") You Are Here: [Home](https://medlineplus.gov/) → [Health Topics](https://medlineplus.gov/healthtopics.html) → Fever URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/fever.html # Fever Also called: Pyrexia On this page ### Basics - [Summary](https://medlineplus.gov/fever.html#summary "Go to: Summary") - [Start Here](https://medlineplus.gov/fever.html#cat_51 "Go to: Start Here") - [Diagnosis and Tests](https://medlineplus.gov/fever.html#cat_92 "Go to: Diagnosis and Tests") - [Treatments and Therapies](https://medlineplus.gov/fever.html#cat_78 "Go to: Treatments and Therapies") ### Learn More - [Specifics](https://medlineplus.gov/fever.html#cat_42 "Go to: Specifics") - [Genetics](https://medlineplus.gov/fever.html#cat_46 "Go to: Genetics") ### See, Play and Learn - No links available ### Research - [Clinical Trials](https://medlineplus.gov/fever.html#cat_27 "Go to: Clinical Trials") - [Journal Articles](https://medlineplus.gov/fever.html#cat_59 "Go to: Journal Articles") ### Resources - [Find an Expert](https://medlineplus.gov/fever.html#cat_83 "Go to: Find an Expert") ### For You - [Children](https://medlineplus.gov/fever.html#cat_8 "Go to: Children") - [Women](https://medlineplus.gov/fever.html#cat_7 "Go to: Women") - [Patient Handouts](https://medlineplus.gov/fever.html#cat_69 "Go to: Patient Handouts") ## Summary A fever is a body temperature that is higher than normal. A normal temperature can vary from person to person, but it is usually around 98.6 °F (37 °C). A fever is not a disease. It is usually a sign that your body is trying to fight an illness or infection. [Infections](https://medlineplus.gov/infectiousdiseases.html) cause most fevers. You get a fever because your body is trying to kill the virus or bacteria that caused the infection. Most of those bacteria and viruses do well when your body is at your normal temperature. But if you have a fever, it is harder for them to survive. Fever also activates your body's immune system. Other causes of fevers include: - Medicines, including some [antibiotics](https://medlineplus.gov/antibiotics.html), [blood pressure medicines](https://medlineplus.gov/bloodpressuremedicines.html), and anti-seizure medicines - [Heat illness](https://medlineplus.gov/heatillness.html) - Cancers - [Autoimmune diseases](https://medlineplus.gov/autoimmunediseases.html) - Some [childhood vaccines](https://medlineplus.gov/childhoodvaccines.html) Treatment depends on the cause of your fever. If the fever is very high, your health care provider may recommend taking an over-the-counter medicine such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Adults can also take aspirin, but children with fevers should not take aspirin. It is also important to drink enough liquids, to prevent [dehydration](https://medlineplus.gov/dehydration.html). ## Start Here - [Fever](https://familydoctor.org/symptom/fever/) (American Academy of Family Physicians) - [Fever](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20352759?p=1) (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in [Spanish](https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/diseases-conditions/fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20352759?p=1) - [Fever (High Temperature) In Kids](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/fever.html)  (Nemours Foundation) Also in [Spanish](https://kidshealth.org/es/parents/fever.html) ## Diagnosis and Tests - [Fever](https://familydoctor.org/symptom/fever/) (American Academy of Family Physicians) - [Fever in Infants and Children](https://familydoctor.org/symptom/fever-in-infants-and-children/) (American Academy of Family Physicians) ## Treatments and Therapies - [Fever: First Aid](https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-fever/basics/art-20056685?p=1) (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in [Spanish](https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/first-aid/first-aid-fever/basics/art-20056685?p=1) - [Thermometers: Understand the Options](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fever/in-depth/thermometers/art-20046737?p=1) (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in [Spanish](https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/diseases-conditions/fever/in-depth/thermometers/art-20046737?p=1) ## Specifics - [Cryopyrin-Associated Autoinflammatory Syndromes (CAPS)](https://rheumatology.org/patients/cryopyrin-associated-autoinflammatory-syndromes-caps) (American College of Rheumatology) Also in [Spanish](https://rheumatology.org/patients/sindromes-autoinflamatorios-asociados-a-la-criopirina) - [Familial Mediterranean Fever](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/familial-mediterranean-fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20372470?p=1) (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in [Spanish](https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/diseases-conditions/familial-mediterranean-fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20372470?p=1) - [Periodic Fever, Aphthous Stomatitis, Pharyngitis, Adenitis Syndrome (PFAPA) (Juvenile)](https://rheumatology.org/patients/periodic-fever-aphthous-stomatitis-pharyngitis-adenitis-syndrome-pfapa-juvenile) (American College of Rheumatology) Also in [Spanish](https://rheumatology.org/patients/sindrome-de-fiebre-periodica-estomatitis-aftosa-faringitis-y-adenitis-cervical) ## Genetics - [Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes: MedlinePlus Genetics](https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/cryopyrin-associated-periodic-syndromes/)  (National Library of Medicine) - [Familial Mediterranean fever: MedlinePlus Genetics](https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/familial-mediterranean-fever/)  (National Library of Medicine) - [Mevalonate kinase deficiency: MedlinePlus Genetics](https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/mevalonate-kinase-deficiency/)  (National Library of Medicine) - [Nakajo-Nishimura syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics](https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/nakajo-nishimura-syndrome/)  (National Library of Medicine) - [Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics](https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/tumor-necrosis-factor-receptor-associated-periodic-syndrome/)  (National Library of Medicine) - [Yao syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics](https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/yao-syndrome/)  (National Library of Medicine) ## Clinical Trials - [ClinicalTrials.gov: Fever](https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?cond=%22Fever%22&aggFilters=status:not%20rec)  (National Institutes of Health) ## Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine) - [Article: Performance of the Dutch Triage standard in managing fever in children...](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41955008) - [Article: Acute Febrile Illness Surveillance for Estimating Population Immunity, Dominican Republic, 2021.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41954756) - [Article: Unmasking non-malarial mosquito-borne infections among febrile children in malaria-endemic regions of...](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41946915) - [Fever -- see more articles](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=%22Fever%22%5Bmajr%3Anoexp%5D+AND+humans%5Bmh%5D+AND+english%5Bla%5D+AND+%22last+1+Year%22+%5Bedat%5D+NOT+%28letter%5Bpt%5D+OR+case+reports%5Bpt%5D+OR+editorial%5Bpt%5D+OR+comment%5Bpt%5D%29+AND+free+full+text%5Bsb%5D+) ## Find an Expert - [National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases](https://www.niaid.nih.gov/)  ## Children - [Acetaminophen Overdose Is Serious and It Can Happen More Easily Than You Might Think](https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/acetaminophen/art-20046721?p=1) (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in [Spanish](https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/acetaminophen/art-20046721?p=1) - [Febrile Seizures](https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/febrile-seizures)  (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) Also in [Spanish](https://www.ninds.nih.gov/es/health-information/disorders/convulsiones-febriles) - [Fever (High Temperature) In Kids](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/fever.html)  (Nemours Foundation) Also in [Spanish](https://kidshealth.org/es/parents/fever.html) - [How to Take a Rectal Temperature](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/rectal-temperature.html)  (Nemours Foundation) Also in [Spanish](https://kidshealth.org/es/parents/rectal-temperature.html) - [How to Take an Axillary (Armpit) Temperature](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/axillary-temperature.html)  (Nemours Foundation) Also in [Spanish](https://kidshealth.org/es/parents/axillary-temperature.html) - [How to Take an Oral Temperature](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/oral-temperature.html)  (Nemours Foundation) Also in [Spanish](https://kidshealth.org/es/parents/oral-temperature.html) - [Taking Your Child's Temperature](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/take-temperature.html)  (Nemours Foundation) Also in [Spanish](https://kidshealth.org/es/parents/take-temperature.html) ## Women - [Fever/Hyperthermia and Pregnancy](https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/hyperthermia-pregnancy/) (Organization of Teratology Information Specialists) Also in [Spanish](https://mothertobaby.org/es/hojas-informativas/la-hipertermia/pdf/) ## Patient Handouts - [Familial Mediterranean fever](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000363.htm) (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in [Spanish](https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/000363.htm) - [Fever](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003090.htm) (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in [Spanish](https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/003090.htm) - [When your baby or infant has a fever](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000319.htm) (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in [Spanish](https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/patientinstructions/000319.htm) ## Topic Image  ## MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA - [Familial Mediterranean fever](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000363.htm) - [Fever](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003090.htm) - [Temperature measurement](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003400.htm) - [When your baby or infant has a fever](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000319.htm) ## National Institutes of Health The primary NIH organization for research on Fever is the [National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases](http://www.niaid.nih.gov/) ## Other Languages Find [health information in languages other than English](https://medlineplus.gov/languages/fever.html) on *Fever* ## Disclaimers MedlinePlus links to health information from the National Institutes of Health and other federal government agencies. 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On this page ### Learn More - [Specifics](https://medlineplus.gov/fever.html#cat_42 "Go to: Specifics") - [Genetics](https://medlineplus.gov/fever.html#cat_46 "Go to: Genetics") ### See, Play and Learn - No links available Summary A fever is a body temperature that is higher than normal. A normal temperature can vary from person to person, but it is usually around 98.6 °F (37 °C). A fever is not a disease. It is usually a sign that your body is trying to fight an illness or infection. [Infections](https://medlineplus.gov/infectiousdiseases.html) cause most fevers. You get a fever because your body is trying to kill the virus or bacteria that caused the infection. Most of those bacteria and viruses do well when your body is at your normal temperature. But if you have a fever, it is harder for them to survive. Fever also activates your body's immune system. Other causes of fevers include: - Medicines, including some [antibiotics](https://medlineplus.gov/antibiotics.html), [blood pressure medicines](https://medlineplus.gov/bloodpressuremedicines.html), and anti-seizure medicines - [Heat illness](https://medlineplus.gov/heatillness.html) - Cancers - [Autoimmune diseases](https://medlineplus.gov/autoimmunediseases.html) - Some [childhood vaccines](https://medlineplus.gov/childhoodvaccines.html) Treatment depends on the cause of your fever. If the fever is very high, your health care provider may recommend taking an over-the-counter medicine such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Adults can also take aspirin, but children with fevers should not take aspirin. It is also important to drink enough liquids, to prevent [dehydration](https://medlineplus.gov/dehydration.html). Start Here - [Fever](https://familydoctor.org/symptom/fever/) (American Academy of Family Physicians) - [Fever](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20352759?p=1) (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in [Spanish](https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/diseases-conditions/fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20352759?p=1) - [Fever (High Temperature) In Kids](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/fever.html)  (Nemours Foundation) Also in [Spanish](https://kidshealth.org/es/parents/fever.html) - [Fever](https://familydoctor.org/symptom/fever/) (American Academy of Family Physicians) - [Fever in Infants and Children](https://familydoctor.org/symptom/fever-in-infants-and-children/) (American Academy of Family Physicians) - [Fever: First Aid](https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-fever/basics/art-20056685?p=1) (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in [Spanish](https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/first-aid/first-aid-fever/basics/art-20056685?p=1) - [Thermometers: Understand the Options](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fever/in-depth/thermometers/art-20046737?p=1) (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in [Spanish](https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/diseases-conditions/fever/in-depth/thermometers/art-20046737?p=1) - [ClinicalTrials.gov: Fever](https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?cond=%22Fever%22&aggFilters=status:not%20rec)  (National Institutes of Health) - [National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases](https://www.niaid.nih.gov/)  - [Fever/Hyperthermia and Pregnancy](https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/hyperthermia-pregnancy/) (Organization of Teratology Information Specialists) Also in [Spanish](https://mothertobaby.org/es/hojas-informativas/la-hipertermia/pdf/) - [Familial Mediterranean fever](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000363.htm) (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in [Spanish](https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/000363.htm) - [Fever](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003090.htm) (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in [Spanish](https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/003090.htm) - [When your baby or infant has a fever](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000319.htm) (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in [Spanish](https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/patientinstructions/000319.htm)