Prevention

The best way to prevent fevers is to reduce your exposure to infectious diseases. Hand-washing is the single most important prevention measure for people of all ages.

Immunizations can reduce the risk for fever-related illnesses, such as the flu. Although no vaccine is 100% effective, most routine immunizations are effective for 85% to 95% of the people who receive them. For more information, see the topic Immunizations.

Preparing For Your Appointment

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.

You can help your health professional diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:

• What is the history of your fever?
  • When did you fever start?
  • How often do you have a fever?
  • How long does your fever last?
  • Does your fever have a pattern?
  • Are you able to measure your temperature? How high is your fever?
• Have you had any other health problems over the past 3 months?
• Have you recently been exposed to anyone who has a fever?
• Have you recently traveled outside the country or been exposed to immigrants or other nonnative people?
• Have you had any insect bites in the past 6 weeks, including tick bites?
• What home treatment measures you have tried? Did they help?
• What nonprescription medicines have you taken? Did they help? Keep a fever chart of what your temperature was before and after home treatment.
• Do you have any health risks?