What are the symptoms of a fever?
Normally, your body temperature fluctuates throughout the day, going up and down between 97.5°F and 99.5°F. When you have a fever, your body temperature is higher than this.
Most doctors categorize a low-grade fever as a body temperature ranging from 99.6°F-100.3°F, and a regular fever as a body temperature of at least 100.4°F. Fevers often appear along with symptoms such as:
- Shivering and chills
- Sweating and flushing
- Skin that feels warm or hot when you touch it
- Headache and muscle aches
- Dehydration
- Appetite loss
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Overall weakness
Fever is one of the most common symptoms of COVID-19 infection.
How do you diagnose a fever?
If you think you have a fever, you can track it at home with a digital thermometer. There are three main ways to take your temperature with a digital thermometer. These are:
Orally
To take an oral temperature, you place the thermometer under your tongue and hold it in place with your mouth closed until it beeps. Oral temperature readings are highly accurate.
Rectally
In children under the age of three, rectal thermometers offer the most accurate readings.
Under the armpit
If you are taking a reading under your armpit, be aware that this method is less accurate than the others. This is because it’s taken outside of the body. If you choose this method, note that your body temperature may read an entire degree lower than it actually is.
Do I need COVID testing if I have a fever?
Not everyone with a fever has COVID-19, and not everyone with COVID-19 has a fever. However, if you develop this common COVID-19 symptom, the first thing you should do is start tracking your temperature and symptoms. Other symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- New loss of smell and/or taste
- Chills
- Body aches and headache
COVID-19 can also cause shortness of breath or make it difficult for you to breathe. If you believe, based on your symptoms, that you may have COVID-19, schedule COVID testing.
You should also schedule COVID testing if you have a fever and have recently been traveling, in a large crowd, or around people who may have COVID-19.
If you have a fever and you’re concerned about COVID-19, don’t wait to get tested. Instead, book your appointment for testing with same-day results at Pacific Clinical Labs today.
