COVID-19 Fever Range

• Fever is a common symptom of COVID-19.
• A fever is generally defined as a body temperature above 38 °C (100.4 °F) or higher.
• COVID-19 fevers can vary in intensity and duration.
• Fever is often accompanied by other symptoms like cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, and respiratory difficulties.
• Regularly monitor your body temperature and seek medical advice if you experience a persistent or severe fever.

COVID-19 infections often go together with a fever. The range of this high temperature may vary but is usually mild to moderate. Although a fever is a normal reaction of the body when you’re fighting off an infection, the effects can be uncomfortable. Luckily, there are a few things that you can do to ease your symptoms.

A fever is one of the most common symptoms of an infection with the coronavirus. It’s a natural reaction from your body that happens when you’re fighting off an infection. A normal temperature should be around 36-37°C (97°F - 99°F) and can depend on various factors, such as: 1

• Your age
• The time of day
• Your activity
• The way you measured your temperature

Generally speaking, a fever is a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher. If you’re experiencing fever, then you may be feeling hot, shivery and sweaty. It is however also possible to be sweating without a fever if you have COVID-19. 2

Fever often goes together with chills, or with other symptoms of a coronavirus infection. Studies suggest that adults are more prone to develop fever with COVID, but this is mostly medium to low grade fever. Children also commonly develop fever when they are infected with the coronavirus, although they are less likely to have a high temperature due to COVID compared with adults. 3

A fever that is caused by an infection with the coronavirus usually doesn’t last that long. In general, your temperature should return to normal within 3 to 4 days. If you aren’t able to break your fever or if your temperature keeps rising, then you should contact your doctor.

Fever can be caused by a number of conditions and should always be monitored. Some of the possibilities are: 1 4 5 6

• Viral infections, such as the cold or the flu
• Ear infections
• Gastroenteritis
• Urinary tract infection (read more about Covid-19 and UTI here)
• Pneumonia
• Meningitis
• Sinusitis, which is an inflammation of the sinuses
• Cardiac infections such as endocarditis or myocarditis
• Bone and soft tissue infections like osteomyelitis or septic arthritis.

In most cases, the fever that is caused by COVID will go away on its own within 3 to 4 days. In the meanwhile, there are a few things which you can do to ease your symptoms, such as: 1 7

• Hydrating yourself
• Wearing lightweight clothing and keeping your room at a comfortable temperature
• Avoiding strenuous activity
• You can drink cold drinks which may be soothing, but taking a cold bath isn’t recommended as you may feel more uncomfortable.
• Taking medicine to reduce fever such as paracetamol or ibuprofen

You should call your doctor if: 1 2 8

• Your fever doesn’t go away
• You’re experiencing emergency warning signs of COVID, such as trouble breathing, persistent chest pain, confusion, inability to stay awake or if your skin is turning pale, gray or blue.
• You have severe thirst or reduced urine output

You can experience a low to medium fever range with COVID-19. This fever should go away without any additional treatment. It’s important to monitor your fever, to stay hydrated and to avoid strenuous activity. If you develop any of the emergency warning signs of COVID-19 or if your fever won’t break, then you should contact your doctor immediately.

Q: Do you always have a fever with COVID-19?
A: You can also have COVID-19 if there’s no fever, although it is very common to experience a high temperature if you’re infected. Children who have COVID-19 can experience a fever but no other symptoms.

Q: Can I have COVID-19 if I have a fever?
A: COVID-19 is one of the possible causes of a fever, although there are many other conditions that cause fever as well. If you have other symptoms that may indicate an infection with the coronavirus, you should get a test. If that test comes back negative, you should consult with your doctor.

Q: Can you run a low-grade fever with COVID-19?
A: There is more possibility to have a low to medium-grade fever with COVID-19 instead of a high-grade fever.

Q: When to worry about fever in adults with COVID-19?

A: If your fever doesn’t break after a few days or if your symptoms start to worsen, then you should contact your doctor.

Q: What is considered a fever for COVID-19?
A: A temperature higher than 38°C (100.4°F) is considered to be a fever.

Q: When to go to the hospital for COVID-19 fever?
A: If your fever doesn’t go away or if you’re experiencing emergency warning signs of COVID-19, then you should go to the hospital. If you have signs of dehydration such as lightheadedness, feeling thirsty and urinating less, then you should also go to the hospital.

Q: Is it normal that my COVID-19 fever comes and goes?
A: While you are recovering from COVID, it is normal to have periods where you are feeling better, that alternate with periods of recurring symptoms. A fever may be one of these symptoms that comes and goes.