OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

Can You Develop a Fever?

3/18/2025, 10:20:17 PMMale25-34

Today, I (14, female) spent around 30 to 40 minutes outdoors wearing only a light jacket during snowy and windy conditions. Now, 10 hours later, my body temperature reads at 36.5°C (97.7°F).

High FeverFlu SymptomsInfectious Disease

Answers (1)

Cony

3/18/2025, 10:20:35 PM

OpenHealth AI

It's understandable to be concerned about how cold weather might affect your health. Based on your description, you don’t have a fever at this time. A normal body temperature typically ranges from about 36.1°C to 37.2°C (97°F to 99°F). Your current temperature of 36.5°C (97.7°F) is within the normal range.

Explanation: Spending time outdoors in cold and windy conditions can make you feel chilled, but it doesn't necessarily mean you'll develop a fever. A fever usually indicates that your body is fighting off an infection, such as a virus or bacteria. If your body manages to maintain a normal temperature after being in the cold, it suggests your body is functioning well.

Next Steps:

  1. Monitor for Symptoms: Keep an eye on how you feel over the next few days. If you start to notice symptoms like a cough, sore throat, fatigue, or any signs of illness, take note of any changes in your temperature.

  2. Stay Warm: Ensure you’re keeping warm, especially if you continue to spend time outdoors. Dress in layers and use proper winter gear to protect against cold exposure.

  3. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, as staying hydrated is important, especially in colder weather when you might not feel as thirsty.

  4. Rest Well: Make sure to get enough sleep, as this helps keep your immune system strong.

Remember, if you do develop a fever (temperature over 38°C or 100.4°F), or if you have any concerning symptoms, consider evaluating further based on how you feel. Please take care!

Related Questions

Mom's Battle with C. Difficile

My mom, who is 53 years old, was diagnosed with C. difficile last night. She's 22 and I’m seriously concerned as there’s been no prior use of antibiotics that could have caused this infection; the emergency room physician suggested she must have contracted it from an external source. Her regular medications consist of compounded hormone replacement therapy due to her post-menopausal status and pantoprazole to manage her acid reflux. The sole symptom she has experienced is persistent diarrhea, with no accompanying pain, nausea, or any other issues over the last eight days. On day six, she visited her primary care provider, who conducted blood and urine tests but dismissed the need for immediate action and recommended a CT scan instead. However, due to financial constraints, she could not proceed with the scan. The following day, we ended up at the ER, where they performed a stool analysis, confirming the C. difficile infection. She was prescribed Flagyl and Cipro, but I’m puzzled about the use of Cipro since it is known to exacerbate C. difficile infections. This concern was heightened when, just 20 minutes post-medication, she became extremely ill, leading me to consider contacting emergency services. The ER also made claims about C. difficile being eliminated solely through soap and water cleaning on surfaces, which contradicts much of the research I have conducted. While I understand that handwashing can remove spores, the doctor's assertion that surface disinfection with bleach, which we have been diligent about due to our cleanliness obsession, would be ineffective was alarming. They suggested everyone in our household might now be affected. This morning, I reached out to her primary care physician to explore alternative treatments, but they responded harshly, insisting she should have undergone the scan because they suspect a blockage. This is bewildering to me, especially since she has not exhibited any symptoms suggesting a blockage whatsoever. They failed to consider her complete lack of nausea until after she had the medication from the ER. We feel stuck and frustrated—if she truly has C. difficile, this has already persisted for eight days, and she urgently requires a therapeutic approach that won't leave her feeling worse. We’re in desperate need of guidance.

Bacterial InfectionViral InfectionInfectious Disease
Male25-34
18 seconds ago

Tragic Situation Surrounding a Benadryl Overdose

Hello everyone. I’m reaching out because my younger sister, who was just 14 years old, tragically ended her life last night using Benadryl. I’m here seeking insight into her situation, and while I don’t need condolences, I appreciate any expressions of sympathy that may come my way. What I truly seek is raw, unfiltered information about what she may have experienced. Details: (I lack medical knowledge, so this information may not be crucial) - Female, age 14 - Height approximately 5'5" (give or take) and weight around 105-115 pounds (this is an educated estimate) - Took between 160-180 tablets, totaling around 4-4.5 grams (this estimate is based on my recent purchase of the bottle and her typical usage for sleep) My questions are as follows: (Feel free to share any other thoughts as well) How much time did she have after ingesting the medication? What might her last moments have been like? Was her passing calm, or was it filled with hallucinations or confusion? Did she experience seizures, or did she simply fall asleep? These are the difficult questions that I find hard to research myself. I hope that this discussion can provide clarity for anyone who might find themselves in a similar situation someday. I’m immensely grateful for any help in advance. As I post this, I’ ll be going to bed soon and may not respond to comments unless they hold significant questions related to my inquiries, though I might reconsider that later on.

Infectious DiseaseFamily MedicineInternal Medicine
Male25-34
5 hours ago

Concerns About Measles Exposure After Outbreak at Work

We have not experienced any symptoms, and both of us received our vaccinations during childhood. Recently, one of our coworkers was identified as the initial case of measles within the state and has since been hospitalized. The workplace is a smaller manufacturing facility, employing around 30 people, many of whom are unvaccinated. Given this situation, do we need to take any specific actions? Is it still possible for us to transmit the virus despite being vaccinated? We are uncertain about the necessary safety measures to adopt. Our employer hasn't communicated anything regarding the outbreak; we only learned about it when we saw our workplace mentioned in the news.

Bacterial InfectionInfectious DiseaseFamily Medicine
Male25-34
12 hours ago

Is a Red Spotted Uvula and Fever Enough to Visit the Clinic?

I am a 30-year-old woman, standing at 5'2" and weighing 280 lbs. I smoke marijuana but do not use any nicotine or vaping products. On Wednesday morning, I woke up experiencing a painful throat. The discomfort is more pronounced when I first wake up but tends to ease up later in the day. I’ve been experiencing minimal coughing, some post-nasal drip, and a fever fluctuating between 100.8°F and 101.4°F, alongside significant fatigue. Today, I also developed headaches. I suspect that my lymph nodes might be swollen, but I'm not a health expert, so I can't be certain. I have been checking my temperature rectally, as my mother mentioned that I typically don't exhibit typical fever symptoms outwardly. Is it advisable for me to see a doctor? I worry about taking up a physician's time if this is just a viral infection. No one else at home or any of my coworkers are showing symptoms of illness.

High FeverColdViral Infection
Male25-34
13 hours ago

Managing Fever with NAFLD

At 31 years old, I've been dealing with some health challenges. In September, I discovered I had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) due to abnormal enzyme levels revealed in an ultrasound. Although my latest results show a decrease, my enzyme levels remain somewhat elevated, with a moderate accumulation of fat noted. My doctor advised against using acetaminophen for pain relief. Interestingly, my father, who has a more severe case with significantly higher enzyme levels, was allowed to use acetaminophen but not ibuprofen. Since my diagnosis, I've avoided both medications. However, I am currently suffering from a cold accompanied by a fever of 100.2 degrees, which is quite uncomfortable. I reached out to my healthcare provider for advice, but since it's late at night, I probably won't receive a response until tomorrow. For context, I am on a treatment regimen that includes 20mg of Abilify and 50mg of Pristiq, and I do not consume alcohol. Today, I also took Sudafed PE twice to help with my symptoms.

High FeverColdFamily Medicine
Male25-34
1 day ago