When should a fever in an adult stop being managed at home?

Most adult fevers are viral and settle within three to five days with fluids and rest. Escalate if any of these appear: fever above 103F persisting despite paracetamol, fever beyond five days, breathlessness or chest pain, confusion or unusual drowsiness, persistent vomiting preventing fluids, reduced urine output, a rash that does not fade under pressure, or a stiff neck with light sensitivity. Anyone with diabetes, heart or kidney disease, pregnancy, or immune suppression should have a lower threshold for review than this list suggests.