Reassurance

• Most fevers are good because they help the body fight infection. The goal of fever therapy is to bring the fever down to a comfortable level. Use the following definitions to help put your level of fever into perspective:
  • 99.5 - 101°F Oral Low-grade fevers and beneficial (37.5 - 38.3° C)
  • 101 - 103° F Oral Moderate-grade fevers and beneficial (38.3 - 39.4° C)
  • 103 - 105° F Oral High fever that causes headache and malaise, generally harmless in healthy adults, but higher risk of bacterial infection (39.4° - 41.7° C)
  • Over 105 F Oral Very high fever (over 41.7° C)