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[Skip to content](https://vicks.com/en-us/symptom/fever#main) [](https://vicks.com/en-us "Vicks - logo") ### [COLD & FLU](https://vicks.com/en-us/treatments/cold-and-flu) # What Is a Fever? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment  Flushed, hot face, but find yourself needing layers of blankets to avoid the chills? This sounds like fever symptoms, but you won’t know until you take your temperature. Often caused by a cold or flu virus, fevers can knock you off your feet and straight into bed. Medicines like [NyQuil and DayQuil](https://vicks.com/en-us/shop-products/dayquil/dayquil-nyquil-cold-flu-relief-liquid-co-pack) have acetaminophen, an active ingredient that reduces fever. Find out what causes fever, so you can treat it and feel better. ## What is a fever? Ever notice how when you have a fever you feel hot and sweaty? These symptoms associated with fever occur because **a fever is a temporary increase in your body temperature**. A fever is the elevation of body temperature above the ideal temperature of 98.6°F (37° C).1 The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines a fever as a temperature at or above 100.4°F (38° C).2 Fevers are extremely common and tend to occur as part of the body’s response to infection as it works to protect itself and fight off viruses like a cold or the flu.3–5 The specific nature and severity of fevers vary depending on a number of factors.5 Fevers can work to combat problematic conditions within the body such as to kill off invading cold and flu viruses. Fevers also need to be monitored to ensure that they do not get high enough to cause damage to your body.4 Read on to learn more about what causes a fever and [how to treat it](https://vicks.com/en-us/treatments/how-to-treat-the-flu/how-to-reduce-a-fever-associated-with-cold-or-flu). ## What causes a fever? One of the most common causes of fever is infection, such as infection from a cold or [flu virus](https://vicks.com/en-us/symptom/flu).6,7 Fever-causing viral infections are often highly contagious and spread from person to person through hand-to-hand transmission or transmission via respiratory droplets in the air.8 People tend to contract cold and flu viruses when the they enter their bodies through the mouth, nose, or eye.6 ## How long does a fever last? The duration of fevers varies and usually depends on both the cause of the fever, and if and how treatments are used to lower the body’s temperature. However, even with treatment, **fevers will often come back** while your body is fighting off a pathogen, after the medication wears off. In the case of common fever-inducing conditions like colds and flus, fevers are usually last 3-4 days9 ## What do fever symptoms feel like? Wondering how to tell if you have a fever? Don’t rely on placing your hand to your forehead—that won’t give you an accurate read to your internal body temperature. **Take your temperature** with an easy-to-use thermometer. However, there are also certain signs that can help you assess the likelihood that you have a fever. If you have a fever, you may experience these symptoms:2 - **Feel warm to the touch.** Because a fever causes a rise in your body temperature, it may make your skin feel hot and sweaty. Warm skin is common with fevers. - **Have chills.** Another way to tell if you have a fever is if you feel chilled and find yourself shivering, part of your body’s immune response that generates more body heat to help fight the virus. - **Look sick.** A flushed face and glassy eyes often occur with fever and can be used as signs that it may be time to take your temperature. - **Suffer body aches and pains.** Other symptoms that commonly occur with a fever are aches, including headaches, and muscle aches. ## How can I treat a fever associated with cold or flu? Treating a fever depends on several factors, including how severe it is. Often, as is the case with [low-grade fevers](https://vicks.com/en-us/treatments/how-to-treat-the-flu/what-low-grade-fever), treatment increases comfort and reduces symptoms associated with the fever from a cold or flu.8 Medications like acetaminophen have been shown to reduce fevers.11 Many over-the-counter cold and flu medicines treat multiple symptoms. Make sure to identify what other symptoms you may be experiencing along with fever, if any, so you can get the relief you need. ## Liquids and LiquiCaps™ Look for a multi-symptom medicine that fits the symptoms you need relieved. [NyQuil SEVERE and DayQuil SEVERE](https://vicks.com/en-us/shop-products/nyquil/nyquil-dayquil-severe-cold-flu-relief-liquid-co-pack) contain maximum symptom-fighting ingredients to relieve your worst cold and flu symptoms, like fever. They also relieve nasal/sinus congestion, sinus pressure, and cough symptoms. It also comes [as caplets with a rush of soothing Vicks Vapors](https://vicks.com/en-us/shop-products/vapocool/dayquil-and-nyquil-severe-with-vicks-vapocool-cough-cold-and-flu-relief-24). ## DayQuil and NyQuil Hot Remedy You may want to curl up with a medicated hot drink when fever symptoms make you extra chilly. [DayQuil or NyQuil Hot](https://vicks.com/en-us/shop-products/dayquil/dayquil-tm-nyquil-tm-hot-remedy-cold-and-flu-relief-hot-drink-powder "DayQuil or NyQuil Hot") Remedy will do the trick. Dissolve the packet into 8 oz. of hot water, stir, and sip while hot. Make sure to drink the entire medicated drink within 10-15 minutes. The soothing Vicks Vapors will comfort you as you sip on the medicated hot drink. Plus, the acetaminophen will help reduce your fever. ## Tepid Sponging With this method, washcloths that have been placed in the water are applied to parts of the patient’s body for roughly five minutes. While there has been some data to suggest that this is an effective measure for breaking a fever, the data are mixed.13There is also evidence to suggest that tepid sponging is no more effective than medications in reducing fever.13 In certain cases, treating a fever at home is insufficient, and it is necessary to talk to a doctor. You should consult your doctor in the following cases:12 - If your temperature reaches 104°F or higher. - If you have fever or cough symptoms that improve, then get worse. - If your fever is accompanied by a severe muscle pain, mental confusion, or any other out-of-the ordinary symptoms. ## How to Avoid Spreading Fever Symptoms While fevers cannot always be avoided, maintaining good health can help to prevent a fever. Because colds and flus are a major contributor to the development of fever, taking measures to avoid contracting these viruses is a promising way to avoid a fever. Additionally, because **colds and flus are highly contagious** and can significantly impact vulnerable populations, taking measures to prevent the spread of these viruses can also help others to avoid fevers and other problems associated with colds and flus.14,15 Here are some basic ways to avoid getting a fever or spreading fever-causing viruses to others: - **Maintain healthy habits.** When you are healthy and your immune system is functioning optimally, you are less likely to get colds and flus that can lead to fevers. For instance, getting plenty of sleep can reduce your chances of getting sick.16 - **Getting a flu shot.** Getting a flu shot each year is one way to reduce the chances that you are infected with the flu or that you act as a vector to spread the virus to others.17 - **Washing your hands.** Washing your hands with soap and water for 15 to 20 seconds is thought to be sufficient for removing viruses that could infect you or others. 8,18,19 Though not always as effective and soap and water, hand sanitizers can also help to reduce infectious agents on your hands, so using hand sanitizers when it is not possible to wash your hands with soap and water can help prevent viruses that lead to fever.20,21 - **Social distancing.** Because we tend to catch viruses from others, staying away from people who are sick and keeping ourselves isolated when we are sick are good ways to reduce the chances of contracting or spreading illnesses that lead to fever.21,22 Even in cases where you are physically around others who are sick, refraining from touching them can help to reduce your chances of getting a virus. Cutting down on hand shaking, for instance, is one effective way to reduce the spread of viruses because viruses are often transmitted by hand-to-hand touching.24 - **Wearing a mask.** Wearing a mask creates a physical barrier that can prevent the spread of fever-causing viruses. 8,25 If you are sick, a mask can help prevent you from transmitting a virus to others. Similarly, if those around you are sick, a mask can prevent problematic respiratory droplets in the air from entering your body through your mouth or nose. While fevers can occur for a variety of reasons, they are often a result of [cold](https://vicks.com/en-us/symptom/cold) and flu viruses. Knowing the symptoms of fever can help you quickly determine when you or a loved one may have a fever and how best to address it. Practicing good habits for preventing the spread of colds and flus can be one of the most effective ways to prevent a fever in yourself and others.  Article Source  1. Mackowiak PA. Concepts of fever. Arch Intern Med. 1998;158(17):1870-1881. doi:10.1001/archinte.158.17.1870 2. Reporting: Symptoms definitions. cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/air/reporting-deaths-illness/definitions-symptoms-reportable-illnesses.html. Accessed June 11, 2020. 3. Torreggiani S, Filocamo G, Esposito S. Recurrent Fever in Children. Int J Mol Sci. 2016;17(4):448. doi:10.3390/ijms17040448 4. Soszyński D. \[The pathogenesis and the adaptive value of fever\]. Postepy Hig Med Dosw. 2003;57(5):531-554. 5. Moltz H. Fever: causes and consequences. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 1993;17(3):237-269. doi:10.1016/s0149-7634(05)80009-0 6. What you need to know about infectious disease. nih.gov. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK209710/. Accessed June 9, 2020. 7. Chughtai AA, Wang Q, Dung TC, Macintyre CR. The presence of fever in adults with influenza and other viral respiratory infections. Epidemiol Infect. 2017;145(1):148-155. doi:10.1017/S0950268816002181 8. Allan GM, Arroll B. Prevention and treatment of the common cold: making sense of the evidence. CMAJ. 2014;186(3):190-199. doi:10.1503/cmaj.121442 9. Flu Symptoms & Complications. CDC.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/symptoms.htm. Accessed June 29, 2020. 10. El-Radhi ASM. Fever management: Evidence vs current practice. World J Clin Pediatr. 2012;1(4):29-33. doi:10.5409/wjcp.v1.i4.29 11. Eccles R. Efficacy and safety of over-the-counter analgesics in the treatment of common cold and flu. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2006;31(4):309-319. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2710.2006.00754.x 12. Flu: What to Do if You Get Sick. cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/treatment/takingcare.htm. Accessed June 26, 2020. 13. Meremikwu M& O-I-A. Physical methods versus drug placebo or no treatment for managing fever in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;2. 14. Nicholson KG, Kent J, Hammersley V, Cancio E. Acute viral infections of upper respiratory tract in elderly people living in the community: comparative, prospective, population based study of disease burden. BMJ. 1997;315(7115):1060-1064. doi:10.1136/bmj.315.7115.1060 15. Fendrick AM, Monto AS, Nightengale B, Sarnes M. The economic burden of non-influenza-related viral respiratory tract infection in the United States. Arch Intern Med. 2003;163(4):487-494. doi:10.1001/archinte.163.4.487 16. Dimitrov S, Lange T, Gouttefangeas C, et al. Gα(s)-coupled receptor signaling and sleep regulate integrin activation of human antigen-specific T cells. J Exp Med. 2019;216(3):517-526. doi:10.1084/jem.20181169 17. Krammer F, Smith GJD, Fouchier RAM, et al. Influenza. Nat Rev Dis Prim. 2018;4(1):3. doi:10.1038/s41572-018-0002-y 18. Carter JM. Hand washing decreases risk of colds and flu. J Natl Med Assoc. 2002;94(2):A11. 19. Toney-Butler, TJ , Gasner, A, & Carver N. Hand washing (hand hygiene). nih.gov. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470254/. Published 2020. Accessed June 10, 2020. 20. Bloomfield S et al. The effectiveness of hand hygiene procedures in reducing the risks of infections in home and community settings including handwashing and alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Am J Infec Control. 2007;35(10):S27-S64. 21. Gold, NA & Avva U. Alcohol sanitizer. nih.gov. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513254/. Published 2020. Accessed June 10, 2020. 22. Jacobs SE, Lamson DM, St George K, Walsh TJ. Human rhinoviruses. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2013;26(1):135-162. doi:10.1128/CMR.00077-12 23. Jefferson T, Del Mar C, Dooley L, et al. Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses. Cochrane database Syst Rev. 2010;(1):CD006207. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006207.pub3 24. Gwaltney JMJ, Moskalski PB, Hendley JO. Hand-to-hand transmission of rhinovirus colds. Ann Intern Med. 1978;88(4):463-467. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-88-4-463 25. Jacobs JL, Ohde S, Takahashi O, Tokuda Y, Omata F, Fukui T. Use of surgical face masks to reduce the incidence of the common cold among health care workers in Japan: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Infect Control. 2009;37(5):417-419. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2008.11.002 *** Was this article helpful? YES NO *** ### MORE TIPS [View More](https://vicks.com/en-us/treatments/cold-and-flu) [COLD & FLU 10 Ways to Reduce Fever from a Cold or FluRead article](https://vicks.com/en-us/treatments/how-to-treat-the-flu/how-to-reduce-a-fever-associated-with-cold-or-flu "10 Ways to Reduce Fever from a Cold or Flu") [COLD & FLU What Is a Low-Grade Fever? Causes, Signs, TreatmentRead article](https://vicks.com/en-us/treatments/how-to-treat-the-flu/what-low-grade-fever "What Is a Low-Grade Fever? 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1. Mackowiak PA. Concepts of fever. Arch Intern Med. 1998;158(17):1870-1881. doi:10.1001/archinte.158.17.1870 2. Reporting: Symptoms definitions. cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/air/reporting-deaths-illness/definitions-symptoms-reportable-illnesses.html. Accessed June 11, 2020. 3. Torreggiani S, Filocamo G, Esposito S. Recurrent Fever in Children. Int J Mol Sci. 2016;17(4):448. doi:10.3390/ijms17040448 4. Soszyński D. \[The pathogenesis and the adaptive value of fever\]. Postepy Hig Med Dosw. 2003;57(5):531-554. 5. Moltz H. Fever: causes and consequences. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 1993;17(3):237-269. doi:10.1016/s0149-7634(05)80009-0 6. What you need to know about infectious disease. nih.gov. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK209710/. Accessed June 9, 2020. 7. Chughtai AA, Wang Q, Dung TC, Macintyre CR. The presence of fever in adults with influenza and other viral respiratory infections. Epidemiol Infect. 2017;145(1):148-155. doi:10.1017/S0950268816002181 8. Allan GM, Arroll B. Prevention and treatment of the common cold: making sense of the evidence. CMAJ. 2014;186(3):190-199. doi:10.1503/cmaj.121442 9. Flu Symptoms & Complications. CDC.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/symptoms.htm. Accessed June 29, 2020. 10. El-Radhi ASM. Fever management: Evidence vs current practice. World J Clin Pediatr. 2012;1(4):29-33. doi:10.5409/wjcp.v1.i4.29 11. Eccles R. Efficacy and safety of over-the-counter analgesics in the treatment of common cold and flu. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2006;31(4):309-319. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2710.2006.00754.x 12. Flu: What to Do if You Get Sick. cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/treatment/takingcare.htm. Accessed June 26, 2020. 13. Meremikwu M& O-I-A. Physical methods versus drug placebo or no treatment for managing fever in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;2. 14. Nicholson KG, Kent J, Hammersley V, Cancio E. Acute viral infections of upper respiratory tract in elderly people living in the community: comparative, prospective, population based study of disease burden. BMJ. 1997;315(7115):1060-1064. doi:10.1136/bmj.315.7115.1060 15. Fendrick AM, Monto AS, Nightengale B, Sarnes M. The economic burden of non-influenza-related viral respiratory tract infection in the United States. Arch Intern Med. 2003;163(4):487-494. doi:10.1001/archinte.163.4.487 16. Dimitrov S, Lange T, Gouttefangeas C, et al. Gα(s)-coupled receptor signaling and sleep regulate integrin activation of human antigen-specific T cells. J Exp Med. 2019;216(3):517-526. doi:10.1084/jem.20181169 17. Krammer F, Smith GJD, Fouchier RAM, et al. Influenza. Nat Rev Dis Prim. 2018;4(1):3. doi:10.1038/s41572-018-0002-y 18. Carter JM. Hand washing decreases risk of colds and flu. J Natl Med Assoc. 2002;94(2):A11. 19. Toney-Butler, TJ , Gasner, A, & Carver N. Hand washing (hand hygiene). nih.gov. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470254/. Published 2020. Accessed June 10, 2020. 20. Bloomfield S et al. The effectiveness of hand hygiene procedures in reducing the risks of infections in home and community settings including handwashing and alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Am J Infec Control. 2007;35(10):S27-S64. 21. Gold, NA & Avva U. Alcohol sanitizer. nih.gov. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513254/. Published 2020. Accessed June 10, 2020. 22. Jacobs SE, Lamson DM, St George K, Walsh TJ. Human rhinoviruses. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2013;26(1):135-162. doi:10.1128/CMR.00077-12 23. Jefferson T, Del Mar C, Dooley L, et al. Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses. Cochrane database Syst Rev. 2010;(1):CD006207. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006207.pub3 24. Gwaltney JMJ, Moskalski PB, Hendley JO. Hand-to-hand transmission of rhinovirus colds. Ann Intern Med. 1978;88(4):463-467. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-88-4-463 25. Jacobs JL, Ohde S, Takahashi O, Tokuda Y, Omata F, Fukui T. Use of surgical face masks to reduce the incidence of the common cold among health care workers in Japan: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Infect Control. 2009;37(5):417-419. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2008.11.002