Is a fever of 38.5°C in adults serious, and what medication should be taken?
Disease description:
My husband said he wasn't feeling well this morning, and when we took his temperature, it was already 38.5°C. Is this serious? What medication should he take?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
An adult with a fever of 38.5°C who does not experience further temperature increase or has only mild discomfort is generally not considered seriously ill. However, if significant symptoms such as severe fatigue, headache, or other pronounced discomfort occur, or if the body temperature fails to decrease within a short period, the condition is usually more serious. It is recommended to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as acetaminophen tablets or ibuprofen capsules under medical guidance to control body temperature.
