Fever

Fever: what to do.

A fever isn't a disease — it's your body's response to infection. Most fevers are safely evaluated in urgent care. The key questions are how high, how long, and what other symptoms are present.

Quick answer

A fever above 100.4°F usually signals infection. Walk in to Quick Urgent Care for evaluation and testing (strep, flu, COVID-19, urine). Head to the ER for fever with stiff neck, seizure, severe breathing trouble, or in infants under 3 months.

Medically reviewed by Iftikhar Sandhu, PA-C

Content last reviewed on July 2, 2026 · Reflects current clinical practice at Quick Urgent Care

Common causes

What's usually behind fever?

Viral upper respiratory infections (cold, flu, COVID-19)
Strep throat & tonsillitis
Ear infections
Sinus infections
Urinary tract infections
Mono (mononucleosis)
Pneumonia & bronchitis
Gastroenteritis (stomach virus)

Go to the ER if

Emergency signs

! Infants under 3 months with any fever (100.4°F+)
! Fever with stiff neck, severe headache, or confusion
! Fever with severe difficulty breathing
! Fever with seizure
! Fever above 104°F not responding to medication
! Fever with severe abdominal pain

FAQ

Common questions.

What temperature counts as a fever?+

Any oral temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher is considered a fever. Under-arm readings are typically about 1°F lower; rectal readings about 1°F higher.

When should I come to urgent care for a fever?+

Walk in if your fever is 101°F+, lasts more than 3 days, or is paired with sore throat, ear pain, cough, painful urination, or rash. We can test and treat in one visit.

Can Quick Urgent Care test for the cause of my fever?+

Yes — we run rapid tests for strep, flu, COVID-19, and RSV on-site (results in 10–30 minutes), plus urinalysis and other send-out labs when needed.

Should I take Tylenol or Advil?+

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) both help reduce fever and discomfort. Follow package dosing for age and weight. Avoid ibuprofen if you have kidney disease or ulcers.

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