Fever in Grand Rapids, Michigan: Symptoms, Treatment, and When to See a Doctor

Fever is one of the most common reasons people in Grand Rapids visit urgent care, call their doctor, or go to local emergency departments such as Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or Metro Health. Understanding what a fever is, how to treat it safely at home, and when to seek medical care is especially important in West Michigan, where seasonal infections are common during our long, cold winters.

What Is a Fever?

A fever is a rise in body temperature above the normal range.

  • Typical normal body temperature is around 98.6°F (37°C), but this can vary slightly from person to person.
  • It also naturally fluctuates during the day and night.

Fever is not a disease itself—it is a symptom that usually indicates your body is fighting an infection. Chemicals released by the immune system reset the body’s “thermostat” in the brain to a higher level.

Is a Higher Fever Always More Serious?

The height of the temperature does not always match the severity of the illness. For example:

  • A serious infection can sometimes cause only a mild temperature rise.
  • A mild fever (up to about 102°F / 39°C) often resolves on its own within a couple of days.
  • Mild fever can actually help your immune system fight off infection.

However, very high fevers can be dangerous:

  • In children 6 months to 6 years, fever can trigger febrile convulsions (fever-related seizures).
  • A fever of 108°F (42.4°C) or higher, especially in older adults, can cause permanent brain damage and is a medical emergency.

Common Fever Symptoms

Fever can feel different from person to person, but common symptoms include:

  • Feeling generally unwell or “off”
  • Feeling hot or warm to the touch
  • Flushed face
  • Sweating
  • Shivering or shaking
  • Chattering teeth
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches
  • Feeling tired or weak

In Grand Rapids, these symptoms are especially common during fall and winter, when flu, colds, and other respiratory infections spread more easily as people spend more time indoors.

Common Causes of Fever in Grand Rapids

The most frequent cause of fever is infection. In West Michigan, common causes include:

Viral Infections

  • Colds and upper respiratory infections
  • Influenza (flu) – more common in fall and winter
  • COVID-19
  • Viral sore throat or bronchitis

Bacterial Infections

  • Tonsillitis
  • Pneumonia
  • Ear infections
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Some skin infections

Other Causes

  • Some chronic illnesses, such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease (like ulcerative colitis), can cause long-lasting or recurring fevers.
  • Certain tropical diseases (e.g., malaria, typhoid fever) can cause recurring fevers—more relevant if you have recent travel outside the U.S..
  • Heat stroke – can include high body temperature without sweating, more likely during hot, humid summer days in West Michigan.
  • Medication side effects – some people develop fever as a reaction to certain drugs.

Because fever is a symptom, the underlying cause must be found before specific treatment can begin.

Self‑Care and Home Treatment for Fever

Many mild fevers in otherwise healthy adults and older children can be safely managed at home.

General Self‑Care Suggestions

  • Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
    • Fever and sweating can cause dehydration.
  • Avoid or limit alcohol, tea, and coffee, as they can contribute to dehydration.
  • Rest – bed rest is often helpful, especially if you feel weak or dizzy.
  • Dress in light, comfortable clothing and use a light blanket.

Medications for Fever

Over-the-counter medications can help reduce fever and relieve discomfort:

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)

Use them exactly as directed on the label or as advised by your Grand Rapids healthcare provider.

Do not:

  • Take more than the recommended dose.
  • Take multiple products containing acetaminophen at the same time.
  • Give aspirin to children or teenagers, due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome.

Cooling Measures

To help bring your temperature down:

  • Sponge exposed skin with tepid (lukewarm) water.
  • You may sit or stand in front of a fan to increase evaporation and cooling.

Avoid Cold Baths or Showers

Do not use cold baths or ice water:

  • Cold causes blood vessels in the skin to constrict, trapping heat inside the body.
  • It can also cause shivering, which creates more heat.

When to See a Doctor in Grand Rapids for Fever

You should contact your primary care provider, an urgent care clinic, or a Grand Rapids Public Health or Kent County Health Department resource if:

  • You are still feverish after 3 days, despite home treatment.
  • Your temperature is over 104°F (40°C).
  • You are shivering and shaking involuntarily, or your teeth are chattering.
  • You seem to be getting sicker over time, not better.
  • You have unusual or worrying symptoms, such as:
    • Hallucinations or confusion
    • Persistent vomiting
    • Neck stiffness
    • Skin rash
    • Rapid heart rate
    • Chills or muscle spasms
    • Severe headache
  • You have recently traveled overseas or to an area with known tropical diseases.

Older adults and people with chronic health conditions in West Michigan (such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease) should be especially cautious and seek medical advice sooner.

When Fever Is an Emergency

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department (e.g., Spectrum Health Butterworth, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health) immediately if:

  • You have fever with headache and a stiff neck (possible meningitis).
  • You have a rash that does not fade (does not “blanch”) when you press on it – this can mean bleeding into the skin and may be a sign of a life-threatening illness.
  • You feel confused, very drowsy, or difficult to wake.
  • You have trouble breathing or chest pain.
  • The person with fever is very young (under 3 months), very old, or has a serious medical condition.

How Fever Is Diagnosed

If the cause of your fever is not clear after your doctor asks about your symptoms and examines you, they may order tests such as:

  • Blood tests
  • Urine examination and culture
  • Throat swab or mucus sample for culture
  • Stool examination and culture
  • X‑rays (for example, chest X‑ray if pneumonia is suspected)

In Grand Rapids, your primary care provider may perform these in the office or refer you to local labs and imaging centers within systems like Spectrum Health, Trinity Health, or Metro Health.

Treatment Options for Fever

Treatment depends on the underlying cause:

  • Viral infections (such as colds, flu, many sore throats):
    • Usually do not need antibiotics.
    • Focus is on rest, fluids, and comfort.
  • Bacterial infections (such as some pneumonias, UTIs, or bacterial tonsillitis):
    • May require antibiotics prescribed by your doctor.
  • Chronic conditions causing fever:
    • Managed by treating the underlying disease (e.g., medications for rheumatoid arthritis).
  • Chronic tonsillitis:
    • In some cases, surgery to remove the tonsils (tonsillectomy) may be recommended.

For mild bacterial infections, your doctor may sometimes recommend letting your immune system handle the infection without antibiotics, depending on your overall health and symptoms.

Fever in Babies and Young Children

Children in the Grand Rapids area commonly get multiple infections each year, especially during the school year and winter months. On average, a child may have up to 10 infections per year.

Body Temperature and Children

Body temperature alone is not always a reliable indicator of how sick a baby or young child is:

  • A child may have a slightly elevated temperature (just over 99°F / 37°C) but still seem happy and active.
  • Always consider how the child looks and behaves, not just the number on the thermometer.

When to See a Doctor for a Child’s Fever

See a doctor right away (or go to urgent care or the emergency department) if your child:

  • Is 3 months old or younger with any fever.
  • Has a fever of 104°F (40°C) or more.
  • Is still feverish after about 24 hours, despite appropriate doses of children’s acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
  • Is in obvious pain.
  • Vomits or has persistent diarrhea.
  • Refuses food or drink.
  • Cries inconsolably.
  • Seems listless, floppy, unusually sleepy, or just looks very ill.
  • Has trouble breathing.
  • Has a rash.
  • Convulses or twitches (possible febrile convulsion).

If you feel worried or unsure at any point, contact your pediatrician, family doctor, or a local urgent care clinic in Grand Rapids.

Using a Thermometer

If you suspect your child has a fever, use a reliable thermometer to measure their temperature. Options include:

  • Digital oral thermometers
  • Tympanic (ear) thermometers
  • Temporal artery (forehead) thermometers
  • Rectal thermometers (often used for infants, as advised by your pediatrician)

Thermometers come with instructions on how to use them correctly. If you are unsure:

  • Ask your pharmacist at a local Grand Rapids pharmacy.
  • Call your child’s doctor’s office for guidance.

Remember: temperature is a guide, not the only measure of how sick a child is. Always pay attention to behavior, breathing, feeding, and alertness.

Caring for a Child With Fever at Home

For most otherwise healthy children with mild fever:

Keep Your Child Comfortable

  • Dress your child in light clothing.
  • Use a light blanket if they feel chilled.
  • Keep the room cool, but not cold.
  • Offer plenty of clear fluids, such as:
    • Water
    • Oral rehydration solutions (if recommended)
    • Breast milk or formula for infants

Medications for Children

  • Give children’s acetaminophen or children’s ibuprofen in the correct dose for their age and weight.
  • Do not give more than 4 doses in 24 hours, unless your doctor advises otherwise.
  • Do not use regular adult acetaminophen or ibuprofen for children unless directed by a doctor.
  • Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers.

If you need to use fever medicine for more than 24 hours, contact your child’s doctor.

What to Avoid

  • Do not give your child a cold bath – this can cause shivering and increase body heat.
  • Do not overdress or over-bundle your child.
  • Do not use rubbing alcohol baths (they can be dangerous).

A febrile convulsion is a seizure that occurs in babies and children when they have a high fever, often from a common infection such as an ear infection or viral upper respiratory infection.

  • Most occur in children between 6 months and 6 years.
  • About 3% of otherwise healthy children will have one or more febrile convulsions.
  • The seizure may last a few seconds up to 15 minutes.
  • It is often followed by drowsiness or irritability.
  • The child may not seem to recognize you right away afterward.

Are Febrile Convulsions Dangerous?

  • Febrile convulsions are rarely serious.
  • They are not a form of epilepsy.
  • They do not cause brain damage.
  • There is no reliable way to predict which children will have them.

Symptoms of a Febrile Convulsion

During a febrile convulsion, you may see:

  • Loss of consciousness (the child may suddenly fall if standing).
  • Twitching or jerking of the arms and legs.
  • Eye rolling, so only the whites of the eyes are visible.
  • Breathing difficulty or change in breathing pattern.
  • Foaming at the mouth.
  • Possible urine loss (wetting themselves).
  • The child may become pale or bluish in skin color.

After the seizure, it may take up to 15 minutes for your child to fully wake up and respond normally. They may be irritable or confused.

What to Do If Your Child Has a Convulsion

If your child has a seizure due to fever:

  1. Try to stay calm and do not panic.
  2. Place your child on the floor or a safe, flat surface.
  3. Remove any nearby objects they could hit or knock against.
  4. Do not:
    • Put anything in your child’s mouth.
    • Shake, slap, or try to restrain your child.
  5. Once the convulsion stops, roll your child onto their side into the recovery position.
  6. If there is food or saliva in their mouth, turn their head to the side and let it drain out—do not try to forcibly remove it.
  7. Note the time the fit started and stopped so you can tell the doctor.

When to Call 911

Call 911 for an ambulance if:

  • The convulsion lasts more than 5 minutes.
  • Your child does not wake up or seems very difficult to rouse after the seizure.
  • Your child has trouble breathing or turns very blue.
  • You are unsure what to do or feel unsafe transporting your child yourself.

After any convulsion, your child should be checked by a doctor—either your local pediatrician, an urgent care clinic, or the nearest hospital emergency department in Grand Rapids—to identify the cause of the fever.

Local Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

If you or your child has a fever and you need help:

  • In an emergency: call 911
  • Local emergency departments:
    • Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health facilities
  • Your GP / family doctor or pediatrician
  • Urgent care clinics throughout Grand Rapids
  • Kent County Health Department – information on local outbreaks (flu, COVID-19, etc.)
  • Grand Rapids Public Health resources – community clinics and vaccination programs
  • Pharmacists at local pharmacies – for advice on thermometers, dosing of fever medicine, and over-the-counter options

Key Points About Fever

  • Fever is a rise in body temperature, usually caused by an infection.
  • Symptoms can include:
    • Flushed face
    • Feeling hot and sweaty
    • Shivering or shaking
    • Chattering teeth
    • Feeling unwell or tired
  • The cause of fever is usually an infection, such as:
    • Viral illnesses (colds, flu, COVID-19, upper respiratory infections)
    • Bacterial illnesses (tonsillitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections)
  • Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, and avoid alcohol, excessive tea, and coffee.
  • Avoid cold baths or showers, which can cause shivering and increase body heat.
  • Since fever is a symptom, not a disease, the underlying cause must be found for proper treatment.
  • Seek medical advice or emergency care in Grand Rapids if:
    • Fever is very high or lasts more than a few days.
    • You or your child have concerning symptoms such as confusion, stiff neck, breathing problems, or a non‑blanching rash.
    • A baby, young child, or older adult with chronic health conditions has a fever.

If you are ever unsure, it is always safest to contact your doctor or visit a local urgent care or emergency department in Grand Rapids, Michigan for professional medical advice.