How serious is a temperature of 101.9 in an adult

[Arcanetrance]

[LumosMaxima]

1. Here's some info:

https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-fever/FA00063

"For adults, a fever usually isn't dangerous until it reaches 103 F (39.4 C) or higher."

[Arcanetrance]

3. Thank you I guess I'll give my dad some Tylenol and see if it helps

[840high]

4. Keep him hydrated.

[grasswire]

5. what are his other symptoms? nt

[Arcanetrance]

6. A cough that has stuff coming up and chest congestion

[grasswire]

7. and how old is he?

Maybe one of our resident RNs will stop by this thread.

[Arcanetrance]

9. 59 he keeps telling me he will be fine no need to call his doctor

[grasswire]

8. and what color is the stuff he's coughing up?

Yellow? Green?

These are the questions a medical professional will want to ask. I did telephone triage for some years at a clinic and worked in a hospital for more years, but I am not a nurse.

[Arcanetrance]

11. Yellow

[grasswire]

12. It's always worrisome making that decision whether or not to seek care...

...after hours.

A call to the doctor (or doctor on call) could tell you whether he needs to be seen.

There's always the risk of pneumonia and sure don't want to mess with that possibility.

Oh, how long has he been sick?

[Arcanetrance]

14. It started this morning

The worst part is usually my step mom makes those decisions she's an ex nurse. But she's on a flight to Norway to see her sick brother

[grasswire]

15. ah

I PMd one of our RNs to see if she's around tonight.

[grasswire]

16. maybe influenza

some areas are hard hit.

Do you know if he had a flu shot?

[Arcanetrance]

18. He says he did but I have my doubts he's always been one of those tough guys

I mean when he had his stroke he collapsed and still refused to go to the hospital it probably would have saved his memory.

[cyberswede]

2. I think it depends on your age

http://www.freemd.com/high-fever/types.htm

The following adults should be evaluated by a physician:
- An adult with a fever over 102.9 degrees F (39.4 C)
- An adult over 65 years old with a fever over 101.9 degrees F (38.8 C)
- An adult with a fever that lasts longer than 3 days

Your other symptoms should also be taken into account - influenza can be dangerous. Take care!

[sammytko]

10. Do you know his normal temp?

I always run under, so 98.6 is feverish for me.

[tammywammy]

13. That's an important note.

I also run lower than average.

[grasswire]

17. here's the cdc page on this year's influenza

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/symptoms.htm


Influenza Symptoms

Influenza (also known as the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The flu is different from a cold. The flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:

Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Headaches
Fatigue (tiredness)
Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

* It's important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
Flu Complications

Most people who get influenza will recover in a few days to less than two weeks, but some people will develop complications (such as pneumonia) as a result of the flu, some of which can be life-threatening and result in death.

Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus and ear infections are examples of complications from flu. The flu can make chronic health problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have the flu, and people with chronic congestive heart failure may experience worsening of this condition that is triggered by the flu.

People at Higher Risk from Flu

Anyone can get the flu (even healthy people), and serious problems related to flu can happen at any age, but some people are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications if they get sick. This includes people 65 years and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), pregnant women, and young children.