Fever is one of your body's reactions to infection. What's normal for you may be a little higher or lower than the average temperature of 98.6 F. That's why it's hard to say just what a fever is. But a "significant" fever is usually defined as an oral or ear temperature of 102F or a rectal temperature of 103F. For very young children and infants, however, even slightly elevated temperatures may indicate a serious infection. In newborns, a subnormal temperature — rather than a fever — also may be a sign of serious illness.
Don't treat fevers below 101F with any medications unless advised to do so by your doctor. If you have a fever of 101 F or higher, your doctor may suggest taking over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others). Adults may also use aspirin. But don't give aspirin to children. It may trigger a rare, but potentially fatal, disorder known as Reye's syndrome.

How to take a temperature :
You can choose from several types of thermometers. Today most have digital readouts. Some take the temperature quickly from the ear canal and can be especially useful for young children and older adults. Other thermometers can be used rectally, orally or under the arm. If you use a digital thermometer, be sure to read the instructions, so you know what the beeps mean and when to read the thermometer. Under normal circumstances, temperatures tend to be highest around 4 p.m. and lowest around 4 a.m.Because of the potential for mercury exposure or ingestion, glass mercury thermometers have been phased out and are no longer recommended.

Orally
To take your temperature orally
Place the bulb under your tongue.
Close your mouth for the recommended amount of time, usually three minutes.
If you're using a nondigital thermometer, remove it from your mouth and rotate it slowly until you can read the temperature accurately.

Under the arm
Although it's not the most accurate way to take a temperature, you can also use an oral thermometer for an armpit reading:
Place the thermometer under your arm with your arm down.
Hold your arms across your chest.
Wait five minutes or as recommended by your thermometer's manufacturer. Then remove the thermometer and read the temperature.
An axillary reading is generally 1 degree F less than an oral reading.

Get medical help for a fever in these cases:
If a baby is younger than 2 months of age and has a rectal temperature of 100.4 F or higher. Even if your baby doesn't have other signs or symptoms, call your doctor just to be safe.

If a baby is older than 2 months of age and has a temperature of 102 F or higher.

If a newborn has a lower-than-normal temperature — less than 95 F rectally.

If a child younger than age 2 has a fever for longer than one day, or a child age 2 or older has a fever for longer than three days. If your child has a fever after being left in a very hot car, seek medical care immediately.

If an adult has a temperature of more than 104 F or has had a fever for more than three days.

Call your doctor immediately if any of these signs or symptoms accompanies a fever:
1. A severe headache
2. Severe swelling of the throat
3. Unusual skin rash
4. Unusual eye sensitivity to bright light
5. A stiff neck and pain when the head is bent forward
6. Mental confusion
7. Persistent vomiting
8. Difficulty breathing or chest pain
9. Extreme listlessness or irritability
10. Abdominal pain or pain when urinating
11. Any other unexplained symptoms

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