When Is a Fever an Emergency?

Posted on October 28, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

A fever is a temporary rise in body temperature. A fever by itself is not an illness, but a symptom of a range of medical conditions and part of an overall response by the body’s immune system, usually caused by an infection. Fevers can also be a side effect of some medications.

Fevers are broadly categorized as low-grade, moderate-grade, high-grade, and hyperpyrexia.

Low-grade fever is an oral temperature of 99.1°F to 100.4°F (37.3°C to 38°C) in adults. Symptoms of a low-grade fever include:

Headache

Feeling hot

Achy eyes

Loss of appetite

Thirst

Moderate fever is an oral temperature of 100.6°F to 102.2°F (38.1°C to 39°C) in adults. Symptoms of a moderate-grade fever are like those of a low-grade fever, but also include:

Muscle and body aches

Fatigue

Sweating

Dizziness or lightheadedness

Nausea

High-grade fever is an oral temperature of 102.4°F to 105.8°F (39.1°C to 41°C) in adults. Symptoms of a high-grade fever are like those of a low-grade and moderate-grade fever, but also include:

Increased heart rate

Chills and shivering

Upset stomach

Extreme weakness

Vomiting

Decreased urination

Hyperpyrexia is an extremely high fever of over 106.7°F (41.5°C).

Symptoms of hyperpyrexia include:

Hallucinations

Extreme confusion

Rapid but weak heartbeat

Loss of consciousness

Shallow, rapid breathing

Dilated pupils

Seizures

Hot, dry, red skin

Inability to urinate

Fevers, such as low-grade fevers, don’t always require a hospital visit, as they often improve with medication and home care. However, moderate- or high-grade fever can be dangerous, especially if accompanied by other symptoms. If your fever reaches 105°F (40.5°C), seek medical attention immediately.

Adults should seek care from their healthcare provider if:

They have a fever of 104°F (40°C) or higher

They are over 65 years of age or immunocompromised, and their fever is higher than 101°F (38.3°C)

They have swelling or severe pain anywhere in their body

They have a stiff neck

They have trouble breathing

For infants and young children, it is smart to be cautious and seek medical care if their symptoms are concerning, regardless of the temperature reading on the thermometer. You should take your child to receive medical care if:

Your child is three to 12 months and has a fever of 102.2°F (39°C)

Your child is younger than three months and has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher

Your child is older than 12 months and has a fever above 104°F (40°C)

Your child is under the age of two and has a fever that has lasted longer than 24 hours

Your child is over the age of two and has a fever that has lasted longer than three days

Your child’s symptoms are getting worse

Your child still appears to be sick after taking fever-reducing medication

A child who has not had immunizations or did not get timely immunizations with a temperature of 100.4°F or above

There are several ways to reduce a fever, such as over-the-counter fever reducers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, resting and drinking plenty of fluids, and taking a lukewarm bath.

If you or your child is experiencing moderate- or high-grade fever symptoms, you can schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. Please call (718) 206-7001.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Fever Facts

Posted on December 24, 2019 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Winter is the most common time of year for someone to develop a fever. With that in mind, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center wants to provide you with the following fever facts.

A fever is a temporary increase in your body’s normal temperature range, (36–37° Centigrade or 98–100° Fahrenheit).

Symptoms associated with a fever may include:

Sweating
Chills and shivering
Headaches
Muscle aches
Loss of appetite
Dehydration
General weakness and lethargy
Increased sensitivity to pain

While the reason most often associated with developing a fever is an infection
(viral or bacterial), there are other potential causes, including:

Heat exhaustion
Dehydration
Certain inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis
Side effect resulting from certain medications
Reaction to certain immunizations
Alcohol or drug withdrawal
A malignant tumor
Sunburn

There are many different types of thermometers that can be used to determine if a fever is present, including an oral (mouth), tympanic (ear) or temporal artery (forehead) type of thermometer. However, when taking an infant’s temperature, it is best to use a rectal thermometer.

It is important to take your temperature when you are at rest as physical activity can raise your temperature.

Taking fever-reducing over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen is one of the simplest and most effective ways to bring down a fever. Other things you can do to reduce fever include drinking more fluids and taking a bath in comfortable-temperature water. Applying cool compresses can also relieve fever symptoms.

Fevers by themselves may not be a cause for alar or a reason to call a doctor. Yet there are some circumstances when you should seek medical advice.

Infants – Contact your doctor if your baby is under three months and has a temperature of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher if your baby is between three-six months old and has a temperature of over 102 F (38.9 C) and seems unusually irritable or lethargic.
Children – Call your doctor if your child is listless, unresponsive or irritable, vomits repeatedly, has a severe headache or stomachache, or has any other symptoms causing significant discomfort or has a fever lasting longer than three days
Adults – contact your doctor if your temperature is 103 F (39.4 C) or higher or if your fever is accompanied by a severe headache, stiff neck, skin rash, sensitivity to light, mental confusion, excessive vomiting, convulsions or seizures, or difficulty breathing.

If you are experiencing symptoms of fever and would like to see a doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001.

Information About Sickle Cell Disease

Posted on September 5, 2018 by Joann Ariola

Sickle cell disease is an inherited form of anemia – a condition in which red blood cells are unable to carry oxygen throughout the body. For most, red blood cells are round and can move easily through blood vessels, but the red blood cells in people with sickle cell disease are crescent, or half-moon shaped. These irregular shaped cells can get stuck in blood vessels, which can slow or block the flow of oxygen to certain parts of the body.

In addition to being irregular in shape, sickle cells are fragile and break apart easily. Normal red blood cells live an average of four months before they die and need to be replaced. Sickle-shaped cells however only live an average of 20 days. The result of this shortage of blood cells is a loss of energy and general sense of fatigue.
Other symptoms of sickle cell disease include:

• Hand-Foot Syndrome – Often the first sign of sickle cell disease. It is caused by a lack of blood flow to the hands and feet

• Episodes of Pain – Referred to as a “crisis”, these episodes of pain occur when blood flow is blocked to the chest, abdomen, and joints. The frequency and duration of the episodes vary from person to person, but in severe cases, they can result in hospitalization.

• Frequent Infections and Fever– Sickle Cell can cause damage to the spleen, an organ that fights infection, making those with sickle cell at greater risk of developing an infection and an accompanying fever.

• Changes in Skin – People with sickle cell disease can develop a yellow tint to their skin or the whites of their eyes. Skin and nail beds can often become pale.

• Delayed growth – By not receiving enough oxygen rich red blood cells, those with sickle cell disease may also not get the necessary nutrients essential for growth.

The risk of inheriting sickle cell disease is a genetic one. For a baby to be born with it, both parents must carry the sickle cell gene. Doctors can diagnose sickle cell disease before a child is born. Couples who are at risk for passing on this disease to their children may want to talk with a genetic counselor about prenatal testing. The sickle cell gene is more common in families that come from Africa, India, Carribbean islands, and Central and South America.

To determine if you have sickle cell disease, your doctor can order a test to check for hemoglobin S, the defective form of hemoglobin that underlies sickle cell anemia. Further tests can confirm the existence of one gene (carrying the sickle cell trait) or two genes (sickle cell anemia). For those who have sickle cell anemia, treatment is aimed at treating the symptoms and avoiding crisis. Regular check-ups to monitor your red blood cell count are important. Medications are available to reduce pain and prevent complications can be prescribed, and blood transfusions, supplemental oxygen and even bone marrow transplants may also be necessary.

Jamaica Hospital serves a culturally rich and diverse population. Many members of our community are from the parts of the world most often affected by sickle cell disease. We encourage anyone living with sickle cell disease to carefully manage their condition. The hospital also recommends all potential parents to be tested for the sickle cell trait.

Know the Facts About the Measles

Posted on March 2, 2018 by Michael Hinck

The measles virus has received a great deal of attention recently in New York City due to an infected tourist potentially exposing many residents in the five boroughs.

As the closest hospital to John F. Kennedy International Airport, where millions of foreign travelers fly in and out of each year and because we serve one the most ethnically diverse populations in the nation, Jamaica Hospital wants to provide our community with some very important information about the measles virus.

While vaccination programs have largely eliminated the measles in the United States, it is still common in other parts of the world with over 90,000 reported deaths attributed to the disease worldwide each year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In fact, most U.S. cases of the measles result from an unvaccinated international traveler exposing U.S. residents to the virus.

The measles virus is highly contagious and is spread through the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Fever is typically the first symptom, followed by cough, runny nose and red eyes. Soon after, those infected will develop a rash of tiny red spots. The rash starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Symptoms usually present ten to 14 days after exposure. Those with the disease can develop even more serious complications, and it is especially dangerous for young children.

The best way to prevent becoming infected is to get the MMR vaccine, which prevents against measles, mumps and rubella. The CDC recommends children receive two doses, the first between 12 to 15 months of age, and the second at four to six years old. Teens and adults should also be up-to-date with their MMR vaccination.

The MMR vaccine is safe and highly effective. The recommended two doses have proven to be 97% effective in preventing the measles virus. While the MMR vaccine is recommended for everyone, it is especially important for those individuals who travel internationally or are exposed to travelers from foreign countries .

If you are experiencing symptoms consistent with the measles, seek medical attention immediately, but call your doctor or local hospital before arrival to prevent infecting others.

To learn more about the MMR vaccine, or to schedule an appointment to become vaccinated at Jamaica Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center, please call 718-206-7001.