When you have a fever, your body temperature temporarily increases to 100.4°F or higher. This usually happens to fight off a viral or bacterial infection. Fever is part of your body’s immune response to help you recover. Fevers are an important part of how you can stay healthy in the event of an illness. You can often handle a fever at home with lots of rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medication, until it goes away within a few days.
Severe fevers in adults and children or fevers of any kind in infants and babies can require emergency medical care, especially when additional symptoms are present. Knowing when to make a trip to the ER for a fever can make a positive difference in your recovery and general health.
Symptoms to Watch Out for in Children with Fevers
If your baby or child experiences certain symptoms in addition to their fever, you should take them to the ER. Even low-grade fevers can be dangerous for infants and babies.
These symptoms include:
- Changes in appetite
- Irritability
- Sleep disruption
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Rash or skin discoloration
- Difficulty breathing
- Sluggishness
- Dehydration
- Abdominal pain
- Stiff neck
If your baby is constantly crying or hasn’t received all their immunizations yet and has a fever, you should take them to the ER to keep them safe and healthy.
Many conditions can cause a fever in a child, including a common cold, the flu, strep throat, an ear infection, a stomach bug, and viral rashes like roseola or measles.
When Should You Go to the ER for a Fever as an Adult?
At Advance ER, we specialize in expert care for fevers and their underlying causes. Most fevers are caused by infections, and early medical intervention often leads to faster recovery and fewer complications. Our goal is to ensure your health and safety by diagnosing the root cause of your fever and addressing serious conditions such as sepsis, pneumonia, meningitis, or other life-threatening complications.
A fever may require more complex interventions and care if accompanied by dehydration, dizziness, lightheadedness, chest discomfort, abdominal discomfort, shortness of breath, cough, rapid heart rate, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, joint pain, swelling, drooling, changes in voice, abscesses, back pain, headache, neck stiffness, etc. These symptoms could indicate severe underlying conditions that require prompt medical attention.
At Advance ER, we provide 24/7 compassionate and effective care for fevers. When you visit us, our board-certified emergency physicians will perform a thorough physical examination and use advanced labs and imaging to identify the cause of your fever and its related symptoms. This ensures an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. If needed, we can also administer antibiotics, fluids, and other interventions to manage your condition and speed up recovery.
We recommend bringing any medical records or a list of current prescriptions to your visit to help us provide the most accurate care. Once treated, we emphasize rest and hydration to aid recovery.
Common causes of high fever in adults include appendicitis, the flu, pneumonia, kidney infections, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. While fevers are often due to viral or bacterial infections, severe fevers may also result from non-infectious conditions that require specialized medical care.
Trust Advance ER for immediate, high-quality care to help you feel better faster and avoid dangerous complications.
What Fever Treatment Can You Get at the ER?
At Advanced ER, we provide compassionate and effective medical care 24/7. When you visit us for a high fever or a regular one with additional symptoms, we perform a thorough physical examination. This helps us establish an accurate diagnosis for any underlying condition and find the appropriate treatment. If necessary, we have digital imaging and lab testing available. If you have any medical records or current prescriptions, we recommend you bring them.
Common treatments to bring down a fever are acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Our providers may also prescribe antibiotics in certain situations.
Once you go home, we usually recommend that you get plenty of rest to speed up your recovery and stay hydrated, which helps keep you cool and comfortable.
If you or your child are experiencing a fever, call Advance ER at (214) 494-8222 or use our online form to reach a medical professional.