What you need to know

Fever has been recognised as a sign of illness since ancient times. In many cases a fever resolves itself and isn’t a cause for concern. Here’s a little more about fever, so you know the signs to look out for and the steps you can take:

What is a fever?

A fever is when your body temperature rises above normal (37.2°C) to help kill invading germs. This rise is usually caused by substances called pyrogens – released when you’ve got an infection – that act on the thermostat in your brain. 

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms that normally accompany a fever include:

• Sweating
• Shivering
• Restlessness
• Hot/flushed skin
• Sudden vomiting
• Loss of appetite

How can you treat fever?

It’s important to drink plenty of water to help replenish the fluid you lose through sweating. It’s also crucial to get lots of rest. To help bring your temperature down, you could try taking a lukewarm bath or a painkiller containing ibuprofen - the common active ingredient in all Nurofen painkillers - it’s proven to lower a high temperature.

For more information, please contact NHS Direct.

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All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose or prescribe.  In all health matters please contact your doctor.