What is a Low Grade Fever?
A low grade fever is a temperature that is slightly higher than normal. The generally accepted low grade fever threshold is a temperature of 100.4 or higher but not higher than 102.2. This is considered a low grade fever because it’s not so high that it would indicate a more serious condition and does not require medical attention. The cause of low grade fevers cannot be narrowed down to one specific thing, but can be caused by a number of other different conditions.
What Causes Low Grade Fevers?
Low-grade fevers can be caused by a number of things. Some potential causes of low-grade fevers can include:
• Virus or bacterial infections
• Immune system responding to a foreign substance
• Stress
• Heat exhaustion
• Medications
• Certain foods
• Vaccines
• Allergies
• Sunburn
Low grade fevers can also be caused by a low white blood cell count, called neutropenia. Neutropenia is a condition where there are too few white blood cells in the body’s circulation. This can make people more susceptible to common infections and can cause a low grade fever.
When to See a Physician
Although a low-grade fever is typically not something to worry about, it is always important to assess why the fever has occurred. If you feel unwell or your fever does not go away after several days, it is important to seek medical help. Additionally, if your fever is accompanied by other symptoms such as severe headache or pain, it’s important to visit your doctor.
If your child is experiencing a low grade fever, it is always important to monitor it closely. For children under the age of two months, it is important to contact your pediatrician as soon as possible if your child has a temperature of 100.4 or higher.
A low grade fever can often be managed at home with over the counter medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. However, it’s important to always follow the instructions on the label and not to give a child under the age of 17 aspirin due to the risk of Reyes syndrome.
In conclusion, a low grade fever is a temperature that is slightly higher than normal but not so high that it would indicate a more serious condition. There are a number of potential causes of low grade fevers, from virus or bacterial infections to stress, heat exhaustion and certain medications. If you or your child are experiencing a low grade fever for more than a few days and accompanied by other worrisome symptoms, it’s important to seek medical help.