what temp is a low grade fever

A low‑grade fever is generally a slight rise in body temperature, usually between about 99–100.4 °F (37.2–38 °C) when taken orally in adults.

Quick Scoop: Key Numbers

• Many doctors describe a low‑grade fever as:
  • Around 99.1–100.4 °F (37.3–38 °C) in adults.

* Slightly above your personal “normal” (which for many people is 97–99 °F).

• A “true” or moderate fever is often said to start at 100.4 °F (38 °C) and above.

Why the Range Isn’t Exact

Different medical sources use slightly different cutoffs, but they all cluster in that same mild‑fever window just above normal and below 100.4 °F. Normal body temperature also varies from person to person, so 99.5 °F might be a low‑grade fever in someone who usually runs cool, but barely noticeable in someone who normally sits around 99 °F.

When to Be Concerned

Even a low‑grade fever can matter if:

• It lasts for several days or keeps coming back.

• You have other worrying symptoms like trouble breathing, chest pain, stiff neck, confusion, a rash, or severe pain.

• It’s in a baby, an older adult, or someone with serious health conditions.

In those situations, or if you’re simply unsure, it’s safest to contact a healthcare professional for personalized advice. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.