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Fever

Fever is the body's normal response to infection and other conditions, both minor and serious. Most fevers help the body fight infection.

The average normal body temperature is 98.6F orally. It can change during the day from a low of 97.4F in the morning to a high of 99.6F in the late afternoon. Mild elevations-(99.8F- can be caused by too much clothing, a hot bath, or hot weather.

Fever in a child is present when a child's temperature is 100.4F or higher measured rectally.

Author Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Editor Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer Michael J. Sexton, MD
- Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC
- Pediatrics
Last Updated April 24, 2007

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: April 24, 2007
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