Is 39.6 degrees a fever?
Fever is a common symptom that can be caused by many different reasons, such as infections, inflammations or other diseases. But is 39.6 degrees a fever? The answer to this question depends on many factors, such as the person’s age, health, and other symptoms.
What is fever?
Fever is usually defined as an increase in body temperature above the normal limit. Normal body temperature is generally considered to be around 36.1–37.2 degrees. A fever usually starts when the body temperature rises above 38 degrees.
39.6 degrees fever in adults
For adults, a fever of 39.6 degrees is considered a high fever. This could be a sign of a serious infection or other health problem that requires medical attention. A high fever can cause symptoms such as headache, muscle aches, fatigue and sweating. If the fever persists for a long time or is accompanied by other serious symptoms, such as breathing difficulties, chest pain or confusion, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
39.6 degrees fever in children
Fever is a common symptom in children, and it can be caused by many different reasons, such as viral or bacterial infections. A fever of 39.6 degrees in a child also has a high fever, and it can be worrying especially if the child is less than three months old. In older children, a high fever can cause restlessness, crying and loss of appetite. It is important to monitor the child’s general condition and seek medical attention if the fever persists for a long time or is accompanied by other serious symptoms.
When to see a doctor?
It is important to know when you should see a doctor because of a fever. Here are some general guidelines:
- Adults: See a doctor if the fever rises above 39.4 degrees, lasts for more than three days or is accompanied by serious symptoms such as breathing difficulties, chest pain or confusion.
- Children: See a doctor if the child has a high fever (over 39 degrees), the fever continues for more than two days, the child is less than three months old, or the fever is accompanied by serious symptoms such as breathing difficulties, rashes or convulsions.
Fever treatment
The treatment of fever depends on its cause. Common treatments include:
- Rest: Rest helps the body fight infection.
- Drinking fluids: Adequate hydration is important so that the body does not become dehydrated.
- Medicines: Antipyretic drugs such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help reduce fever and relieve symptoms.
It is important to follow the doctor’s instructions and take the medicine correctly. If the fever does not go down or the symptoms worsen, it is important to see a doctor again.
More information about fever and its treatment can be found, for example, at Terveyskirjasto and From the Mayo Clinic website.
