Fever is often a symptom of a respiratory illness. Fever of up to 101° (38.3°) that lasts for 1 or 2 days may occur in adults who have colds. Fever up to 102° (38.9°) is common in children who have colds. Older adults tend to run lower fevers than younger people. An older adult who has a low fever may be as sick as a younger person who has a high fever.
Often the importance of a fever can be determined only when other symptoms are also evaluated. For example, fever and respiratory symptoms can occur when an infection is present in the throat, ears, sinuses, or lungs. Fever and respiratory symptoms may occur with an illness that affects the whole body (systemic illness). Your health professional will be better able to evaluate the cause of your fever after considering your other symptoms.
Credits
| Author | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Last Updated | February 25, 2008 |
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