Normal body temperature is different for everyone and changes during the day.

A high temperature is usually considered to be 38C or above. This is sometimes called a fever.

You may have a high temperature if:

• your chest or back feel hotter than usual
• you have other symptoms, such as shivering (chills), sweating or warm, red skin (this may be harder to see on black or brown skin)
• a thermometer says your temperature is 38C or above

Important

If you feel hot or shivery, you may have a high temperature even if a thermometer says your temperature is below 38C.

You do not need to take your temperature using a thermometer, but you can if you have one.

Make sure you use it correctly to help get an accurate result. See how to take a temperature.

There are some things you can do to help treat a high temperature.

Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you do not have a high temperature.

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if you have:

Many things can cause a high temperature. It's not usually a sign of anything serious.

It's often just caused by your body fighting an infection, such as a cold or flu.

Sometimes it could be a sign of something more serious if your temperature is very high or will not come down.

Advice for children

This page is for adults. For advice about children, see high temperature (fever) in children.