Understanding a 39-degree fever

The body can raise its temperature as part of an immune response. A reading of 39 degrees is more useful when paired with the person's age and behaviour: someone who is interacting and drinking needs a different response from someone who is drowsy or struggling to breathe. Confirm an unexpected result with a working digital thermometer, using an age-appropriate method, and record both the time and method.

Offer small, frequent drinks and look for regular urination. Let the person rest, remove excessive layers, and keep the room comfortable. Medicine such as paracetamol may be used for distress if it is suitable for that individual; follow the label and never combine products without checking whether they contain the same ingredient. Lukewarm washing may feel soothing, but shivering from cold water can add discomfort. Keep a brief log of readings and new symptoms.

Call emergency services for breathing difficulty, a seizure, collapse, severe confusion, inability to wake normally, or blue or grey colouring. A non-blanching rash, severe headache with neck stiffness, persistent vomiting, very low urine output, or rapidly worsening illness also warrants urgent assessment. Contact a clinician early for a young infant, an older frail adult, pregnancy, immune suppression, or major chronic disease. A fever that continues, repeatedly returns, or accompanies increasing focal pain should be reviewed.

Tell the clinician about cough, breathing changes, sore throat, ear pain, urinary symptoms, abdominal pain, skin redness, recent travel, exposures, and all medicines used. Ask how long home monitoring remains reasonable and whether a specific symptom needs examination or testing.