Urgent Care for Fever Treatment in San Antonio, TX

What Is a Fever?

A fever is a temporary increase in your body temperature and is a natural defense against infection or illness.

Typically, the body’s temperature ranges between 96.8° F and 98.6° F (36° C and 37° C) and fluctuates throughout the day. For instance, the temperatures are lower in the evening and higher in the afternoon. 

However, in response to abnormal occurrences like infection or inflammation, the body’s temperature can increase to 100.4° F (38° C) or higher. 

While most high temperatures resolve within a few days without medical intervention, a temperature exceeding 100.4° F for more than three days (despite home treatment) may require prompt treatment at your local urgent care clinic.

What Causes a Fever?

If you suffer from frequent fevers, consult your primary care physician or disclose this during your urgent care visit. You may need additional screenings to identify the underlying cause.

Most elevated temperatures are typically caused by a viral or bacterial infection or illness, including:

• Upper respiratory infections
• Ear infections
• Gastrointestinal infections
• Urinary tract infections
• Skin infections
• Influenza (Flu)
• Meningitis
• Pneumonia
• Infectious Mononucleosis (Mono)

However, there can be other causes you might not even consider, such as:

• Heat exhaustion
• Hormone disorders
• Autoimmune diseases
• Certain medications
• Inflammation
• Vaccines
• Cancer
• Illegal drugs

If you or a loved one is experiencing an elevated temperature and you think you may have one of these conditions, infections, or illnesses, seek urgent care for fever diagnosis, treatment, and to avoid further complications.

What Are Common Fever Symptoms?

Common symptoms include:

• The sensation of being hotter than normal
• The sense of general weakness
• Muscle aches
• Chills
• Headaches
• Sweating
• Loss of appetite
• Irritability

If you or a loved one begins to exhibit these symptoms without an apparent cause, we encourage you to take your temperature and walk into the nearest Alamo City Urgent Care for a prompt fever treatment.

What Qualifies as a Fever?

Because the human body temperature naturally varies, there is no single value that qualifies as an abnormally high body temperature for everyone. However, it is important to understand what does qualify, because it can help determine when to go to urgent care for fever in adults.

Medical professionals agree the following temperatures qualify when taken with the associated methods:

• Oral: Above 100° F (37.8° C)
• Rectal: Above 100.4° F (38° C)
• Ear: Above 99.5° F (37.5° C)
• Axillary (Armpit): Above 99° F (37.2° C)
• Forehead: Above 100.4° F (38° C)

If you are a parent or caregiver of an infant or young child, there are special considerations to keep in mind.

Fever in Children: Special Considerations

When dealing with a fever in children, there are several special considerations to keep in mind:

• Age
  Infants younger than three months should be promptly evaluated due to their high risk of infection.
• Temperature measurement
  Use a rectal thermometer for infants and small children to get the most accurate results. 
• Symptoms
  Monitor additional symptoms (e.g., fussiness, malaise, or discomfort) and seek urgent care if at-home interventions are not working.
• Underlying conditions
  Children with underlying health conditions (e.g., immune disorders or chronic illness) may need closer monitoring and medical attention during a fever.
• Medication
  Children and teens should avoid taking aspirin because if they have a viral infection, there is a possibility of developing Reye’s syndrome. This is a rare but serious condition that causes swelling in the liver and brain.
• Recent vaccinations
  Higher than normal temperatures are a normal response to vaccines and should resolve on their own within a few days.

When to Take a Child to Urgent Care for a Fever

Parents and caregivers should seek urgent care for fever in infants and young children when:

• Their temperature reaches 100.4° F (38° C) or higher and lasts more than three days despite over-the-counter medications.
• They appear very ill or lethargic.
• They show signs of dehydration.
• They have other concerning or alarming symptoms.

Now that you know what qualifies as a fever in adults and children, here’s how you can help manage them safely at home.

How to Reduce the Effects of Fever?

Unless the fever is caused by a bacterial or viral infection, you can reduce its effects safely at home with the following tips:

• Stay hydrated to replenish body fluids and prevent dehydration.
• Take over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. (Follow the recommended dosage guidelines to avoid adverse side effects.)
• Rest. Activities tend to increase body temperature.
• Stay away from cold water. It may be tempting to get a cold shower, but this will only increase the body temperature further. Instead, take a sponge bath with warm water.

If your fever worsens or is accompanied by other severe symptoms, visit an Alamo City Urgent Care nearest you.

When To Go to Urgent Care for a Fever

A high temperature is not always a cause for alarm, but urgent treatment is needed in some circumstances. But, what does urgent care do for a fever?

Visit Alamo City urgent care for temperatures that are 103° F or higher for adults and 102° F or higher for children for expert care including fever-reducing medications, antiviral medications, antibiotics, and IV fluids for fever symptoms. 

Note: These temperatures are guidelines. Individual circumstances may warrant urgent care at lower temperatures, especially for infants, young children, and other vulnerable populations.

Also, visit an emergency room near you if the high temperatures are accompanied by a severe headache, mental confusion, persistent vomiting, seizures, convulsions, and stiff neck or chest pain.

Visit Alamo City Urgent Care for Fever Treatment

If you or a loved one has a fever that does not improve on its own within a few days, visit Alamo City Urgent Care for prompt urgent care treatment. Our professional medical staff will quickly assess your temperature and symptoms, and begin a course of treatment, if needed, to address any underlying medical issues. 

You can book ahead to save time or simply walk in. Our skilled medical professionals will perform an efficient screening process and help you get back to feeling your best.