Fever (Pyrexia) Guidelines

A fever is a body temperature that is higher than normal. It is not an illness. It is part of your body’s defense against infection.  Most bacteria and viruses that cause infections do well at the body’s normal temperature (98.6 F).  A slight fever can make it harder for them to survive.  Fever also activates your body’s immune system.

Infections cause most fevers.  There can be many other causes, including: medicine, heat exhaustion, cancers and autoimmune diseases.