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Can Dehydration Cause Fever and When to Go to Urgent Care

Dehydration happens when your body doesn’t have as much water as it needs, which means it can’t function properly. Symptoms of mild to moderate dehydration may include thirst, dry mouth, less frequent urination, dry skin, headache, and rapid heartbeat. If you or a loved one is experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of dehydration, the best things to drink are water, coffee, tea, skim milk, and low-fat milk. You can also try foods with high water content like cucumber, celery, tomatoes, lettuce, watermelon, strawberries, and peaches.

Sometimes a person can become dehydrated for simple reasons, like not drinking enough while working, traveling, hiking, or camping. However, it can also occur as the result of persistent diarrhea, vomiting or excessive sweating. If left untreated, dehydration can lead to serious complications, like heat cramps, heat exhaustion, urinary and kidney problems, seizures or even shock due to a lack of oxygen in the blood.

Can dehydration cause fever?

A fever happens when there is a temporary rise in the body’s normal internal temperature and is typically a sign your body’s trying to fight an infection or illness, but it can also be a dangerous sign of severe dehydration. When your body doesn’t have enough fluids, it’s unable to maintain a regular body temperature, which can lead to hyperthermia and fever-like symptoms, like chills.

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When to go to urgent care

Go to your nearest urgent care center for treatment if you’re experiencing any signs of severe dehydration, including:

  • Excessive tiredness
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Dizziness when you stand up (that does not go away)
  • Decreased urination
  • Dark-colored and/or foul-smelling urine
  • Dark or bloody stool
  • Weakened or rapid pulse
  • Seizures

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Adults with an internal body temperature between 100.4 and 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit have a low-grade fever. While low-grade fevers aren’t usually serious or life-threatening, it’s a warning sign that something isn’t quite right.

If you have a high-grade fever (103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) without any other symptoms for more than 3 days, your symptoms get worse, or you experience new symptoms it’s important to get urgent medical care. A fever might be a sign of serious illness or severe dehydration.

Visit Coastal Urgent Care of Gonzales for expert treatment for a persistent or severe fever. Our skilled specialists can diagnose your medical condition quickly and give you the help you need so you can begin to feel better fast. We welcome walk-in appointments 7 days a week.