In general, how would you define a fever?

A fever is defined as an elevation in body temperature, typically above the normal range. The body's normal temperature usually hovers around 98.6°F (37°C), but this can vary slightly from person to person and at different times of day. When the body temperature rises due to an illness, infection, or inflammation, this is recognized as a fever.

Fever is part of the body’s immune response, signaling that something unusual is occurring in the body, often as a response to pathogens such as bacteria or viruses. Understanding the concept of fever is crucial in a healthcare context, as it can guide further assessments and interventions.

In contrast, a drop in body temperature would indicate hypothermia rather than a fever, and a consistent normal body temperature would imply health stability without any underlying acute conditions. A sudden rise in blood pressure does not relate to the definition of fever as it pertains to blood pressure and not body temperature.