What Temperature Is Considered a Low-Grade Fever? (2023)

FAQs

Is 99 a low-grade fever? ›

Some experts define a low-grade fever as a temperature that falls between 99.5°F (37.5°C) and 100.3°F (38.3°C). According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a person with temperature at or above 100.4°F (38°C) is considered to have a fever.

An adult probably has a fever when the temperature is above 99°F to 99.5°F (37.2°C to 37.5°C), depending on the time of day.

All employees should stay home if they are sick until at least 24 hours after their fever* (temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees Celsius or higher) is gone. Temperature should be measured without the use of fever-reducing medicines (medicines that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen).

While body temperatures vary, most of us have an internal temperature around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. A temperature slightly higher than that is still normal. When your temperature is between 100.4 and 102.2, you have what is considered a low grade fever.

People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19: Fever greater than 99.9F or chills. Cough. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. Possible symptoms include: Fever or chills.

It's possible to feel feverish but not be running an actual temperature. Underlying medical conditions, hormone fluctuations, and lifestyle may all contribute to these feelings. Feeling feverish or hot may be one of the first signs of having a fever. But sometimes you may feel like you have a fever when you do not.

Long lasting low-grade fevers can occur with viral or bacterial infections, stress, or certain medications. Other health conditions like thyroid issues or autoimmune diseases can also cause this symptom.

It may seem harmless enough, but assume any fever is a symptom of a contagious condition. Viruses that cause fevers are contagious as long as the fever is above a 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit reading rectally.

Should I go to work with 99.2 fever? ›

Zeigler said it's okay to head to work with a low-grade fever if you don't have any other symptoms. “Some low-grade fevers can be easily treated with over-the-counter medications and it would be fine to work,” explained Zeigler.

Low body temperature and illness. Certain illnesses, or incorrect temperature readings, could factor into why your thermometer reads 96°F (35.55°C), but you feel sick. Low body temperature could also be a symptom of a serious illness like hypothermia or sepsis, but you'd likely have severe symptoms.

Medication isn't needed. Call the doctor if the fever is accompanied by a severe headache, stiff neck, shortness of breath, or other unusual signs or symptoms. If you're uncomfortable, take acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or aspirin.

A low-grade fever is mild and usually settles on its own. Over-the-counter (OTC) medication can help to lower a fever, however, it is good to let go a low-grade fever with adequate rest and plenty of fluids.

Cortisol is higher during the day, and these higher levels suppress your immune activity to a large degree. When cortisol levels go down at night, your immune system is more active in fighting illness or infection. This is why fevers spike at night.

Many people with the disease run a low-grade fever for days, she said, and some may have no fever at all. Upper respiratory tract symptoms including sore throat, nasal congestion, and a runny nose have seemed more common with the current omicron variant of COVID-19.

Air conditioning lowers our core body temperature

The system only works up to a point though—when your body temperature rises above 39°C, you're experiencing a high fever and can develop hyperthermia, which makes a cooling mechanism such as air conditioning vital for staying safe and healthy.

How long can a low-grade fever last? ›

Most low-grade fevers go away without medical intervention after 1 to 3 days, but a persistent or chronic fever may last or keep coming back for more than 10 days.

Everyone's immune response is different, and we can spread the virus for different amounts of time. Masking on days 6-10 helps reduce the risk that we will get others sick after recovering from COVID-19. Most people are no longer infectious after day 10.

The COVID-19 infectious period can vary, but most people are considered infectious from 48 hours before their symptoms start and can be infectious for up to 10 days.

After you test positive for COVID-19

Some people get worse again after they first start to feel a bit better. This usually happens about 7 to 10 days after their symptoms started. You might have mild symptoms and feel unwell for a short time before slowly starting to feel better.

Call your health care provider if your temperature is 103 F (39.4 C) or higher. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these signs or symptoms accompanies a fever: Severe headache. Rash.

If you have a fever, you may experience these symptoms: Feel warm to the touch. Because a fever causes a rise in your body temperature, it may make your skin feel hot and sweaty. Warm skin is common with fevers.

Most fevers usually go away by themselves after 1 to 3 days. A persistent or recurrent fever may last or keep coming back for up to 14 days. A fever that lasts longer than normal may be serious even if it is only a slight fever.

Noncontagious causes of fever include urinary tract infections, ear infections, and causes unrelated to infections. The most common cause of fever is a viral upper respiratory infection (the common cold).

Is low-grade fever viral or bacterial? ›

Fevers are often a sign that your body is fighting off some type of bacterial or viral infection. A viral fever is any fever that's caused by an underlying viral illness. A variety of viral infections can affect humans, from the common cold to the flu. A low-grade fever is a symptom of many viral infections.

Some people describe COVID sore throat as the most painful sore throat they've ever experienced. Others report a sore throat that isn't too different from one caused by a regular cold. Other COVID sore throat symptoms people notice include: Pain when swallowing or talking.

Fever: Students should not be present in school if their temperature is greater than 100 degrees Farenheit. In order to return to school, temperature should be below 100 degrees Farenheit for 24 hours without the help of fever-reducing medicine (i.e., Tylenol, ibuprofen).

Dress light. Bundling up too much can make it harder to reduce a fever. If you have chills, try wearing a single, light layer and using one lightweight blanket. If your temperature's over 103ºF, let your doctor know.

Acetaminophen: Take any one of the acetaminophen products: Tylenol, Anacin-3, Panadol, or Tempra. The dosage is 2 tablets (650 mg) every 4 to 6 hours. 2 hours after they are taken, these drugs will reduce the fever 2° to 3°F (1° to 1.5° C).

Outside of an elevated body temperature in the range described above, some people with a low-grade fever won't have any noticeable symptoms. Others may experience: Headache. Fatigue.

An affected person is considered to have sepsis if they meet two or more of the SIRS criteria, which are: Fever of 38 C / 100.4 F or more. Hypothermia of 36 C / 96.8 F or less. A pulse of more than 90 beats a minute.

Fever is a sign that the body is combating an infection. It helps kill bacteria and viruses. It also boosts production of infection-fighting white blood cells. There's generally no need to worry about bringing a fever down unless it's causing your child discomfort.

Can you get a low-grade fever with a cold? ›

The common cold is very easily spread to others. It's often spread through airborne droplets that are coughed or sneezed into the air by the sick person. The droplets are then inhaled by another person. Symptoms may include a stuffy, runny nose, scratchy, tickly throat, sneezing, watery eyes and a low-grade fever.

Fever seems to be one of the more common early markers of COVID-19, Kline noted. But you shouldn't necessarily expect a high-grade fever with dangerously elevated temperatures. Many people with the disease run a low-grade fever for days, she said, and some may have no fever at all.

A persistent low grade fever is a sign of an underlying issue, such as a mild infection or chronic condition. The fever may persist while the person is fighting off the infection. For the most part, persistent low grade fevers are not a cause for concern.

Can Allergies Cause Fever? According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, allergies do not cause a fever. However, an allergic reaction can trigger a sinus infection, eventually leading to a fever.

A low-grade fever may develop following immunizations, in the course of teething or a symptom of any inflammatory or autoimmune condition and can also develop as a side effect of certain medications. Low-grade fever may not need any treatment if there are no symptoms.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. Possible symptoms include: Fever or chills.

Although a fever is a common symptom of this virus, it's still possible to have COVID-19 without a fever, especially within the first few days after being infected. In fact, one study found that just 55.5% of the surveyed COVID-19 patients reported experiencing a fever.

Most low-grade fevers go away without medical intervention after 1 to 3 days, but a persistent or chronic fever may last or keep coming back for more than 10 days.

A runny or stuffy nose, cough, tiredness, even shortness of breath and a lack of smell/taste can occur in both allergies and COVID-19. But a cough from COVID-19 is typically dry, whereas in allergies, a cough is wet and usually more sneeze-like. A stuffy nose from allergies can cause loss of taste/smell.

Both acute and chronic stress can trigger fever-like symptoms, including an elevated body temperature, body chills or aches, fatigue, and flushed skin. Psychogenic fevers are rare, but they are most common in females.

Can you have a fever with no other symptoms? ›

Colds, flu and other viral infections are the most common cause. Fever may be the only symptom for the first 24 hours. The start of viral symptoms (runny nose, cough, loose stools) is often delayed.