COVID-19 can take anywhere from two days to two weeks for any of the symptoms to occur, including fever, to begin with.
In fact, an elevated temperature is a common symptom of a virus or bacteria infection. Since it’s a common sign of COVID-19, those who suffer from it are likely to report it.
However, COVID-19 does not always result in a fever but in this post, we’ll talk about what is considered fever for COVID positive individuals.
What is Fever?
A fever is defined as a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, regardless of the cause, according to the CDC Trusted Source.
The average human body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. The truth, however, is that a “normal” body temperature can range anywhere from 97 degrees Fahrenheit to 99 degrees Fahrenheit.
In the morning, it’s usually lower and rises throughout the day. Late afternoon and evening are the best times to catch it at its warmest, when it can rise by 1 or 2 degrees.
Taking your temperature on a regular basis isn’t necessary if you’re healthy. However, if you’re feeling unwell or believe you may have come into contact with a disease like COVID-19, you should check it more frequently.
As a result of this new coronavirus, nearly everyone who is infected with the virus has a high temperature or a fever. Dry cough and exhaustion are also common symptoms.
As a new disease, COVID-19 has also proven to be a bit of a wild card. In fact, fever has no specific temperature range, despite its prevalence as a symptom for people with COVID.
Some people who are positive for COVID-19 do not have a fever at all. Others have fevers that are extremely high.
Analysis of a Large Number of Studies
COVID-19 infected 24,420 adults in nine countries, and 78 percent had a fever at one point or another.
The same results were found in a later review of studies involving 17,515 adults and children with the COVID-19. Over seventy-nine percent of the adults in the study had a fever at some point during their illness. High fevers were less common in this population than were low- and medium-grade fevers.
Fever was also found to be less common in children, especially in the first few days of illness. They discovered that 45.86 percent of 373 Chinese children had a fever. Over half of the children under the age of 18 with COVID-19 had no fever, according to the researchers.
What distinguishes the symptoms of a coronavirus from those of an allergy?
Allergies, the flu, and strep throat all share some of the symptoms of COVID-19. To tell the difference between COVID-19 and flu, a test is required.
Consult a medical professional if you believe your symptoms may be caused by a coronavirus and follow their advice.
Fever and COVID-19 are not the only things to be wary about.
Fever can indicate a serious illness, even if a specific temperature range isn’t specified. Fever is a common symptom among COVID-19 patients who are hospitalized. A high fever doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll have a serious problem.
Over 7,000 COVID-19 patients in the New York City area were studied, and it was found that the presence of a high fever at the time of hospital admission was not significantly associated with death.
Those who had high fevers for the duration of their illness were at a higher risk of dying from COVID-19. Mortality was 42 percent higher in those with fevers exceeding 104°F (40°C).
This study also found that patients with abnormally low body temperatures had the worst results. Death rates were highest among those with a core temperature below 36 degrees Celsius (96.8 degrees Fahrenheit).
As a result of these findings, it is possible that COVID-19 sufferers may have difficulty controlling their body temperature.
Find out more about COVID-19’s other symptoms, including fever, in the following section.
In case you never knew, one or more of the following symptoms may be present in COVID-19:
- Chills
- Congestion or runny nose
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle or body aches
- New loss of taste or smell
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Sore throat
- Vomiting
SARS CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, has a wide range of symptoms that are not unique to SARS CoV-2.
Contact a doctor or other health care provider if you notice any of these symptoms.
Since they can assess your risk and help you determine the best course of action.
Take note that you should follow the CDC guidelines for quarantine and isolation in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection.
When and where to seek medical attention
In addition to COVID-19, fever can be a sign of many other illnesses.
A health care provider like Well Health Works should be called immediately if you experience any symptoms of COVID-19 and believe you have been exposed to the virus.
Treatments and medications exist to lessen the likelihood of developing a serious illness.
Get tested if your computer runs at or above 100.4°F (38°C). Early testing can help ensure better results.
Also, whenever you feel any of the following contact your nearest health care professional:
- Bluish lips or face
- Difficulty breathing
- Inability to wake up or stay awake
- New confusion
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
Calling a medical professional is always the best course of action when a person experiences a high fever or any of the symptoms above.
Specifically, a rectal temperature of at least 100.4 F (38 C) in infants should be observed and taken seriously, as well as temperatures over 102.2°F (39°C) for toddlers and children. Also, adults with a temperature of 103 F (39.4 C) or higher may have COVID-19 disease.
In the end, COVID-19 does not have an associated temperature range. People infected with COVID may experience fevers as high as 103 degrees Fahrenheit or none at all. People with COVID-19 have a higher mortality rate when they have a high fever. Lastly, the dangerous COVID-19 disease may also be indicated by a dangerously low body temperature.
For more information contact info@wellhealthworks.com.