COLD AND FLU BASICS
What is a Fever?
A fever is a temporary increase in your body temperature, often due to an illness, like the flu. It’s part of your body’s defense system, as a slight fever activates your body’s immune system, making it harder for the viruses that cause the infections to survive. If you have a fever, it’s a pretty good bet that something out of the ordinary is going on with your body.
What are the symptoms of a fever?
You have a fever when your internal body temperature rises above the normal 98.6°F (37°C). Additional fever symptoms may include:
- Sweating
- Shivering
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration
- General weakness
What causes a fever?
Fever or elevated body temperature might be caused by a virus, like the flu.
Is a fever serious?
Fevers generally go away on their own after a few days. However, if you’ve had a fever for more than 3 days, or if your temperature rises above 38 degrees C, contact your doctor. If a high fever is left unchecked, it may cause hallucinations, confusion, and/or convulsions.
How do you treat a fever?
As always, when you're sick, you should drink plenty of fluids, get lots of rest, and in the case of a fever, try to stay as cool as possible.
For a low grade fever, it’s often best to do nothing and let it run its course. NeoCitran Ultra Strength Total Flu contains 1000 mg of acetaminophen to reduce fever. Stop use and ask a doctor if your fever lasts longer than 3 days or you develop a fever >38 degrees C.
