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[American College of Emergency Physicians](https://www.acep.org/ "ACEP.org") [](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/) - [](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/article/know-when-to-go/fever) -  - [Topics](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/topics) - [Newsroom](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/newsroom/) - [About Us](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/about-us) [](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/) -    - [Topics](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/topics) - [Newsroom](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/newsroom/) - [About Us](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/about-us)  # Fever Fever by itself is not an illness, but a symptom for a range of medical conditions. It also can be a side effect of some medications. Fever is one of the most common reasons that parents visit an emergency department with a child. Elevated body temperature also plays an important role in the body’s normal response to fighting infection. Most people consider 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (37 degrees C) a healthy body temperature, but a person’s normal body temperature may vary a degree or more, and it fluctuates during the day (lower in the morning, higher at night). Fever in an adult usually isn’t usually dangerous unless it registers 103 degrees F (39.4 degrees C) or higher. If it is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, it may indicate a serious or life-threatening illness. Seek immediate medical attention if your symptoms include: - Pain or tenderness in the abdomen - Nausea or vomiting - Severe headache - Stiff neck that resists movement - Light hurts eyes - Convulsions or seizures - Difficulty breathing - Strange behavior, altered speech - Mental status changes, confusion, difficulty waking, extreme sleepiness - Rash (particularly if it looks like small bleeding spots under the skin) Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. For more information on fever in a child, [click here](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/article/pediatrics/fever-in-children). *** **Anyone who thinks they're having a medical emergency should not hesitate to seek care.** Federal law ensures that anyone who comes to the emergency department is treated and stabilized, and that their insurance provides coverage based on symptoms, not a final diagnosis. Read more about [Know When to Go](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/article/know-when-to-go/know-when-to-go-overview) [Infections & Infectious Diseases](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/articles/categories/tags/infections-infectious-diseases) [Know When to Go](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/articles/categories/topics/know-when-to-go) [Public Education](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/articles/categories/types/public-education) ### Related Articles [ COVID-19: Know When to Go to the ER](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/article/covid19/covid-19-know-when-to-go) [ Urinary Tract Infections](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/article/know-when-to-go/Urinary-Tract-Infections) [ Stomach Pain](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/article/know-when-to-go/stomach-pain) [](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/) - [About Us](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/about-us) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/privacy-policy) - [Contact Us](https://webapps.acep.org/membership/account/#messageus?c=true&url=https://www.emergencyphysicians.org&app=EMP.org&to=U2FsdGVkX1+45/tdQjY81SASUD78ro50RfP/Kp94z0I=) [](http://www.acep.org/) CHAT NOW CHAT OFFLINE

 Fever by itself is not an illness, but a symptom for a range of medical conditions. It also can be a side effect of some medications. Fever is one of the most common reasons that parents visit an emergency department with a child. Elevated body temperature also plays an important role in the body’s normal response to fighting infection. Most people consider 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (37 degrees C) a healthy body temperature, but a person’s normal body temperature may vary a degree or more, and it fluctuates during the day (lower in the morning, higher at night). Fever in an adult usually isn’t usually dangerous unless it registers 103 degrees F (39.4 degrees C) or higher. If it is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, it may indicate a serious or life-threatening illness. Seek immediate medical attention if your symptoms include: - Pain or tenderness in the abdomen - Nausea or vomiting - Severe headache - Stiff neck that resists movement - Light hurts eyes - Convulsions or seizures - Difficulty breathing - Strange behavior, altered speech - Mental status changes, confusion, difficulty waking, extreme sleepiness - Rash (particularly if it looks like small bleeding spots under the skin) Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. For more information on fever in a child, [click here](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/article/pediatrics/fever-in-children). *** **Anyone who thinks they're having a medical emergency should not hesitate to seek care.** Federal law ensures that anyone who comes to the emergency department is treated and stabilized, and that their insurance provides coverage based on symptoms, not a final diagnosis. Read more about [Know When to Go](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/article/know-when-to-go/know-when-to-go-overview) [Infections & Infectious Diseases](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/articles/categories/tags/infections-infectious-diseases) [Know When to Go](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/articles/categories/topics/know-when-to-go) [Public Education](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/articles/categories/types/public-education)