Fever is a common sign of disease. But that doesn’t always mean it’s something bad. In fact, fevers can help fight infections. So, should you treat a fever or let the fever continue its course? Here is help to know what to do.

These suggestions are for people who do not have serious health problems. That means they do not have a suppressed immune system, they are not taking chemotherapy medications and recently have not undergone surgery.

The table below is listed by temperatures taken with rectal and oral thermometers. These thermometers give the best measure of central body temperature.

Other types of thermometers include thermometers for the ear, called tympanic membrane thermometers and forehead thermometers, called temporary artery thermometers. They are easy to use, but they also do not measure the temperature.

Babies and little children
Age Temperature To do
0-3 months 100.4 F (38 C) or more rectally taken Call your child’s health professional, even if your child has no other symptoms.
3-6 months Up to 102 F (38.9 c) Taken rectally Have your child rest and drink liquids. Your child does not need medicine. Call your child’s health professional if your child seems more in a bad mood than usual, it has little energy or is not comfortable.
3-6 months Above 102 F (38.9 c) Taken rectally Call your child’s health professional, who can suggest to bring your child for an exam.
6-24 months Above 102 F (38.9 c) Taken rectally Give your son acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). If your child is 6 months old or more, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) is also fine. Read the label to make sure to give the correct dose. Do not wake up your son to give him fever medications. It does not give aspirin to a baby or small child. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen have no aspirin in them. Call your child’s health professional if the fever does not respond to the medicine or lasts more than a day.
Children
Age Temperature To do
2-17 years Up to 102 F (38.9 c) Takenly taken for children 2 to 3 years, or orally taken for children over 3 years Have your child rest and drink liquids. Your child does not need medicine. Call your child’s health professional if your child seems very bad, has little energy or complains about great discomfort.
2-17 years Above 102 F (38.9 c) rectally taken for children ages For discomfort, give your son acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others). Read the label to make sure to give the correct dose. Be careful not to give your child more than one medication that has acetaminophen, such as some cough and cold medications. You do not give aspirin to children or adolescents. Do not wake up your child to give you fever medications. Call your child’s health professional if the fever does not respond to the medicine or lasts more than three days.
Adult
Age Temperature To do
18 years and older Up to 102 F (38.9 c) taken orally Rest and drink liquids. You do not need medicine. Call your health professional if there is also a bad headache, rigid neck, lack of breath or other symptoms.
18 years and older Above 102 F (38.9 c) taken orally For discomfort, take acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin Ib, others) or aspirin. Read the label to make sure the correct dose. Be careful not to take more than a medication with acetaminophen, such as some medications for cough and colds. Call your health professional if the fever does not respond to the medication, it remains at 103 F (39.4 c) or more or more than three days.

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