Is 37.4°C considered a fever in adults, and should medication be taken?

Fever refers to an elevated body temperature. In adults, a temperature of 37.4°C is considered low-grade fever and generally does not require medication.

The normal axillary temperature range for adults is 36.1°C–37.2°C. A temperature above 37.2°C is regarded as low-grade fever, while a temperature exceeding 38°C is classified as fever. Therefore, although 37.4°C in adults is not high fever, it exceeds the normal range and can be considered mild fever.

For mild fever, immediate medication is usually unnecessary. Wiping the patient's forehead, armpits, or groin—areas rich in blood vessels—with warm water may help dissipate heat and reduce body temperature. If the fever persists for a prolonged period or is accompanied by other symptoms such as cough, headache, or fatigue, it may be caused by bacterial or viral infection. For low-grade fever due to bacterial infection, medications such as cefalexin tablets or cefadroxil tablets may be taken under medical guidance. For fever caused by viral infection, antiviral drugs such as ribavirin dispersible tablets or acyclovir tablets may be used under medical supervision.

Patients are advised to maintain a light diet, avoid spicy and irritating foods, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, rest appropriately, and avoid excessive fatigue.