Appointment Icon

Jones Regional Medical Center Urgent Care - Anamosa

1795 Highway 64 East
Anamosa, IA 52205

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Ankeny)

1055 Southwest Oralabor Road
Ankeny, IA 50023

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Bett Plex)

5185 Competition Drive
Bettendorf, IA 52722

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Jordan Creek)

180 Jordan Creek Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Lindale)

153 Collins Road Northeast
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Marshalltown)

1704 South Center Street
Marshalltown, IA 50158

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Morton)

1909 North Morton Avenue
Morton, IL 61550

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (North Crossing)

2134 Logan Avenue
Waterloo, IA 50703

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Peck's Landing)

1940 Blairs Ferry Rd.
Hiawatha, IA 52233

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Peoria)

8914 North Knoxville Avenue
Peoria, IL 61615

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (San Marnan)

1655 East San Marnan Drive
Waterloo, IA 50702

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Viking Road)

1000 Brandilynn Blvd
Cedar Falls, IA 50613

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Washington)

209 North Cummings Lane
Washington, IL 61571

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Waukee)

950 E Hickman Rd
Waukee, IA 50263

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Waverly)

101 Cedar River Pkwy 101
Waverly, IA 50677

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express at Duck Creek

1417 Kimberly Road
Bettendorf, IA 52722

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Express (Fort Dodge)

2728 2nd Avenue South
Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Express Care - Bettendorf

3415 53rd Avenue
Bettendorf, IA 52722

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Express Care - Moline

106 19th Avenue
Moline, IL 61265

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Express Care - North Port

3426 North Port Drive
Muscatine, IA 52761

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Express Care - SouthPark Pointe

3904 16th Street
Moline, IL 61265

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic First Care - Peoria Heights

1120 East War Memorial Drive
Peoria Heights, IL 61616

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Altoona

2720 8th Street Southwest
Altoona, IA 50009

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Ankeny Medical Park

3625 North Ankeny Boulevard
Ankeny, IA 50023

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Ingersoll

2103 Ingersoll Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50312

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Marion

2992 7th Avenue
Marion, IA 52302

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Marketplace

3035 Hamilton Boulevard
Sioux City, IA 51104

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Southglen

6520 Southeast 14th Street
Des Moines, IA 50320

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Sunnybrook

5885 Sunnybrook Drive
Sioux City, IA 51106

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Urbandale

5200 NW 100th Street
Urbandale, IA 50322

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - West

2255 John F Kennedy Road
Dubuque, IA 52002

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Westside

2375 Edgewood Road Southwest
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

What You Need to Know About Fevers (Infographic)

by -

Sick woman wrapped in a blanket

Have you ever been woken up in the middle of the night by a child who isn’t feeling well, with a forehead that is hot to the touch? Or was it you who woke up not feeling well? This is when you ask yourself whether you should pull out the thermometer or if it’s time to call the doctor.

Why Do Our Bodies Produce Fevers?

A fever is an increase in body temperature, often because the body is working hard to fight off an infection. Although it may not feel like it, a fever is a good thing for the body. It’s generally accepted that a true fever is a temperature of 100.4 degrees or above. Fevers may be caused by:

  • A virus
  • Bacterial infection
  • Extreme sunburn
  • Certain inflammatory conditions
  • Some medications

Symptoms of a fever may include sweating, shivering, headache, muscle aches, dehydration and general weakness. A high temperature (between 103 and 106) may cause confusion, hallucinations and irritability. A fever typically goes away in a few days.

Fevers vary in severity for people of different ages and require different techniques including which thermometers to use, appropriate medicines, and when to call the doctor.

What you need to know about fevers.

Newborns/Toddlers

The best way to take a newborn or toddler’s temperature is with a digital thermometer in the rectum. Make sure to label the rectal thermometer so it is not used orally. Infants less than two months of age should not be given any medicine for fever without a doctor’s evaluation.

An elevated temperature may be a sign of illness. Call the doctor if:

  • A newborn has a body temperature less than 97. Newborns may not be able to regulate body temperature, becoming cold rather than hot. 
  • Three months or younger and rectal temperature is 100.4 or higher.
  • Between three and six months and has a temperature of 102 or higher and seems irritable or uncomfortable.
  • Between six to 24 months and has a temperature of 102 or higher and the temperature lasts longer than one day. If your child displays other symptoms, like a cold or cough, call your child’s doctor sooner than you normally would. 

Children

If a child has a fever of 102 or more lasting longer than three days, call their doctor. Once a child reaches four or five years of age, you can take his or her temperature orally using a digital thermometer. If your child is uncomfortable, you can give him or her acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Be careful to not give your child more than one medicine that contains acetaminophen. Never give aspirin to a child. Make sure a child with a high fever gets plenty of rest and drinks lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.

For children, behavior is a good indicator of whether or not you need to call the pediatrician. If your child is still interested in playing, feeling alert and eating and drinking normally, the illness is probably not serious. A child with a fever who doesn’t want to eat but is still drinking and urinating normally is most likely OK. You should call your child’s doctor if your child:

  • Vomits or has a severe stomachache
  • Appears lethargic
  • Has a febrile seizure
  • Has been left in a hot car and has a fever. This requires immediate medical attention.

Teens

For teenagers with a fever of 103 or more lasting longer than three days, seek medical attention. Similar to children, teenagers can have their temperature taken orally with a digital thermometer. Do not give aspirin to a teenager.

Encourage your teen to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Liquids like water, juice or broth are all good options to keep a teen hydrated. If your teenager is active, his or her body will create heat, making it very difficult to reduce the fever. Dressing in light clothing will make teens more comfortable if they’re experiencing discomfort. Make sure your teen is resting and avoiding physical activity. Seek medical attention if your teenager experiences any of the following:

  • Repeated vomiting
  • Severe stomachache 
  • Headache that causes discomfort

Adults

A fever in adults is usually not considered dangerous until it reaches 103 or higher. Similar to children and teens, an adult may use a digital oral thermometer to measure body temperature. Adults should seek medical attention if their fever has lasted longer than three days at a temperature of 103 or more. An adult should not treat a fever that is 102 or less unless otherwise instructed by a doctor. A doctor may advise taking ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Unlike children and teens, adults can take the recommended amount of aspirin in order to reduce their fever. Do not mix medications when trying to reduce your fever! If you have been taking medicine for three days and your fever is staying consistent at 103 or higher, call your doctor.

Older Adults

A fever of 101 or higher in an older adult may be a sign of a serious viral or bacterial infection. Older adults may use a digital oral thermometer to take their temperature, but this may prove difficult for adults who have tongue tremors, dementia or other neurobehavioral disorders. If you are unable to use a digital thermometer, there are other types available. Prevent dangerous body temperatures in older adults by drinking lots of fluids, avoiding excessive exercise, staying indoors during peak heat times, taking cool showers and baths and keeping warm in cool environments.

When Do Fevers Become an Emergency?

If a child or adult is or has been experiencing any of the following symptoms of a fever, seek medical treatment immediately:

  • A severe headache
  • Sore throat
  • Eye sensitivity to bright light
  • Breathing or chest pain
  • Mental confusion
  • Stiff neck when trying to bend forward 
  • Persistent vomiting
  • Extreme listlessness or irritability
  • Abdominal pain
  • Other unexplained symptoms

Contact you doctor or message your primary care doctor or pediatrician using My UnityPoint.

Want To See a Doctor Right Now About a Fever?

Did your child wake up in the middle of the night warm to the touch? Is their fever and symptoms questionable enough that you think they should see a doctor, but the fever is not serious enough to go to the emergency room? UnityPoint Health Virtual Care allows you to speak to a provider by secure online video at all hours of the day and night. If medication is needed, a provider can prescribe medication from your appointment and send to the pharmacy of your choice.