Fever is often a symptom of a respiratory illness. Fever of up to
101
°F (38.3
°C) that lasts for 1
or 2 days may occur in adults who have colds. Fever up to
102
°F (38.9
°C) is common in
children who have colds. Older adults tend to run lower fevers than younger
people. An older adult who has a low fever may be as sick as a younger person
who has a high fever.
Often the importance of a fever can be determined only when other symptoms are also evaluated. For example, fever and
respiratory symptoms can occur when an infection is present in the throat,
ears, sinuses, or lungs. Fever and respiratory symptoms may occur with an
illness that affects the whole body (systemic illness). Your health
professional will be better able to evaluate the cause of your fever after
considering your other symptoms.
