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Fever in Adults — Online Doctor Assessment

See a bulk billed telehealth GP for fever in adults. Get a focused history-based assessment, antiviral or antibiotic eScripts where indicated, pathology referrals, and same-day medical certificates from home.

Can a telehealth GP assess a fever in adults online?

Yes for many cases. An AHPRA-registered GP at NewDoc can take a focused history, identify the likely cause (viral upper respiratory infection, influenza, COVID-19, gastroenteritis, UTI, sinusitis), arrange pathology, prescribe antivirals or antibiotics where clinically appropriate per Australian Therapeutic Guidelines, and issue a same-day medical certificate. The consultation, eScript, pathology, and certificate are bulk billed for eligible Medicare cardholders.

Seek emergency care for severe shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion, non- blanching rash, neck stiffness, severe abdominal pain, very high fever (>40°C) not responding to paracetamol, signs of sepsis, or recent travel to malaria-endemic regions. Pregnant women, elderly adults, and immunocompromised patients should seek review earlier.

What is fever?

Fever is a body temperature of 38.0°C or higher and is one of the most common reasons Australian adults see a GP. It is the body's response to infection or inflammation — not a disease in its own right. The temperature itself is generally not harmful in healthy adults; what matters is identifying the underlying cause and how unwell the person is.

Most adult fevers are viral and settle within 3 to 7 days with rest, fluids, and simple analgesia. A smaller proportion are bacterial and may benefit from antibiotics or specific treatment. Some presentations need in-person or emergency assessment — these are listed below. Telehealth is well suited to the initial assessment of most adult fevers because diagnosis is largely from history rather than physical examination.

Common causes of fever in adults

  • Cold, flu, and COVID-19 — by far the most common cause of acute febrile illness in Australian adults
  • Acute gastroenteritis — fever with vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain
  • Urinary tract infection — fever with burning urination, frequency, urgency, suprapubic or flank pain
  • Sore throat / tonsillitis — fever with throat pain, swollen lymph nodes
  • Acute sinusitis — fever with facial pain, nasal discharge, headache
  • Chest infection / pneumonia — fever with cough, breathlessness, chest pain
  • Skin or soft-tissue infection — cellulitis, abscess
  • Glandular fever (Epstein-Barr virus), particularly in younger adults
  • Pertussis (whooping cough), with severe cough and post-cough vomiting
  • Travel-related illness (malaria, dengue, typhoid) — fever within 12 months of travel
  • Less common: bloodstream infection, endocarditis, intra-abdominal abscess, tuberculosis, autoimmune disease

When to see a GP, and when to go straight to an ED

Book a GP (in person or via bulk billed telehealth) if your fever has lasted more than 3 to 5 days, is recurring, is high (>39°C), or is associated with significant symptoms. People at higher risk of complications (pregnant, aged 65+, immunocompromised, chronic disease, recent international travel) should seek review early.

Attend an emergency department, or call 000, if you have any of the following:

  • Fever with severe shortness of breath, chest pain, or breathlessness at rest
  • Confusion, drowsiness, or being difficult to rouse
  • Non-blanching rash (does not fade when pressed with a glass) — possible meningococcal disease
  • Neck stiffness, severe headache, or photophobia (possible meningitis)
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Signs of sepsis: rapid breathing, fast heart rate, cold mottled skin, low blood pressure
  • Very high temperature (>40°C) not responding to paracetamol or ibuprofen
  • Persistent vomiting preventing fluid intake or signs of dehydration
  • Recent travel within 12 months to a malaria-endemic region
  • New seizure with fever

For these features, do not delay by booking telehealth — go straight to an emergency department.

How a telehealth GP can help with a fever

Adult fever assessment is largely history-based — pattern of fever, associated symptoms, recent illness, travel and contact history, immunisation status, current medications, and any red-flag features. A NewDoc GP can take that history thoroughly by video.

During the consult, your GP can:

  • Send an eScript for an antiviral (oseltamivir/Tamiflu for eligible influenza within 48h, Paxlovid for eligible COVID-19 within 5d), antibiotic where clinically appropriate, or symptomatic relief
  • Issue a pathology referral for FBC, CRP, urine culture, respiratory virus PCR, or malaria film (travel-related)
  • Issue an imaging referral (chest X-ray for suspected pneumonia, ultrasound for suspected abdominal source)
  • Refer you to a specialist (infectious diseases for prolonged or unexplained fever; respiratory, gastroenterology, urology as relevant)
  • Direct you to in-person GP review, urgent care, or ED where severity warrants
  • Issue a medical certificate for time off work, school, or carer responsibilities

For eligible Medicare cardholders, the consultation, eScript, referral, and certificate are all bulk billed with no out-of-pocket cost.

Home care for adult fever

For most viral fevers in otherwise healthy adults, supportive care is enough: rest, plenty of fluids, light clothing, lukewarm sponging if it helps. Paracetamol 1 g every 4–6 hours (maximum 4 g in 24 hours) and ibuprofen 400 mg every 6–8 hours with food can both reduce fever and ease aches. Don't combine ibuprofen with other NSAIDs, and avoid ibuprofen if you have kidney disease, peptic ulcer disease, or are dehydrated. Monitor for the red-flag features above and book a GP review if symptoms worsen or fever persists beyond 3 to 5 days.

References

This content is informational and does not replace individual medical advice. For personal assessment, book a consultation with your GP. In emergencies, call 000.

Reviewed by Dr. Jason Yu FRACGP

Last reviewed 12 May 2026. Editorial policy

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Frequently asked questions

Can a telehealth GP assess fever in adults?

Yes for many causes. Most fevers in adults are viral and can be assessed from a careful history with the patient describing onset, pattern, associated symptoms, and any travel or contact history. A NewDoc telehealth GP can identify likely causes (viral upper respiratory infection, influenza, COVID-19, gastroenteritis, urinary tract infection, sinusitis), arrange relevant pathology, prescribe antivirals or antibiotics where indicated, and decide whether in-person review is needed. Severe fever with red-flag features (confusion, severe breathlessness, hypotension, rash, neck stiffness, recent international travel) warrants in-person or ED assessment, not telehealth.

When should a fever be assessed urgently in person or in an emergency department?

Attend an emergency department, or call 000, if you have fever with severe shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion or drowsiness, a non-blanching rash, neck stiffness or photophobia (suggesting meningitis), severe abdominal pain, recent travel to malaria or other tropical disease regions, very high temperature (>40°C) that doesn't respond to paracetamol or ibuprofen, signs of sepsis (rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, cold mottled skin, low blood pressure), or rapid worsening of any symptoms. Pregnant women, elderly adults, immunocompromised patients, and people with significant chronic illness should seek review earlier in any febrile illness.

How long is a fever expected to last?

Most viral fevers in healthy adults settle within 3 to 7 days. Influenza and COVID-19 typically cause fever for 3 to 5 days, with symptoms improving over the following week. Bacterial infections may have a different pattern depending on the source. A fever lasting longer than 7 days, recurring after settling, or rising again after initial improvement (the 'double-worsening' pattern, often suggesting bacterial superinfection) warrants GP review.

What temperature counts as a fever in adults?

A body temperature of 38.0°C or higher measured orally or by ear is generally considered a fever in adults. Some people feel feverish at lower temperatures, particularly the elderly. Temperature can vary by up to 0.5°C through the day (lower in the morning, higher in the evening), and after exertion, after meals, or after a hot bath. Persistent temperatures over 39°C are classed as high fever and warrant earlier review.

What home care helps fever?

Rest, plenty of fluids, paracetamol 1 g every 4–6 hours (max 4 g in 24 hours) or ibuprofen 400 mg every 6–8 hours with food can reduce temperature and ease discomfort. Don't combine ibuprofen with other NSAIDs, and avoid ibuprofen if you have kidney disease, peptic ulcer disease, or are dehydrated. Cool drinks, lukewarm sponging if tolerated, and light clothing help. Monitor for red-flag features and book a GP review if symptoms worsen or fever persists beyond 3–5 days.

Could my fever be COVID-19 or flu?

Yes. COVID-19, influenza, and RSV are all common causes of fever and respiratory symptoms in Australian adults. A rapid antigen test (RAT) at home or a respiratory PCR via pathology referral can confirm the diagnosis when it changes management — for example, if you meet PBS criteria for antivirals (Paxlovid for eligible COVID-19, oseltamivir for eligible influenza). Antivirals are most effective when started within 48 hours (influenza) or 5 days (COVID-19) of symptom onset. Tell your GP at the start of the consult if these are likely.

Could my fever be a urinary tract infection?

Yes, particularly when fever is accompanied by burning urination, urinary frequency, urgency, lower abdominal or back pain. A UTI involving the kidneys (pyelonephritis) typically causes higher fevers, flank pain, and feeling significantly unwell — that warrants prompt assessment and may need in-person review. Your telehealth GP can order a urine culture, prescribe antibiotics where appropriate, and direct you to ED for severe presentations. See our /conditions/uti page for more detail.

Could my fever be from travel-related illness?

Yes. Fever with recent international travel (within the last 12 months) needs careful assessment because malaria, typhoid, dengue, and other infectious diseases need specific testing and management. Tell your GP at the start of the consult if you have travelled, including the destination, dates, and any insect bites or exposure to untreated water. Some travel-related illnesses are medical emergencies — your GP will direct you to ED if needed.

When does fever in adults need blood tests?

Your GP may order a full blood count, C-reactive protein, urine culture, blood cultures, respiratory viral PCR, malaria film (if travel-related), liver function, or kidney function depending on what's suspected. For most short-lived viral fevers in healthy adults, no testing is needed. For fevers lasting more than a few days, severe presentations, or in higher-risk groups, pathology helps narrow the cause.

Can I get antivirals (Paxlovid, Tamiflu) for my fever via telehealth?

Yes, where clinically appropriate and you meet PBS eligibility. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for influenza is most effective within 48 hours of symptom onset. Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) for COVID-19 needs to be started within 5 days. PBS subsidy applies to higher-risk adults (typically aged 70+, or 50+ with risk factors, or 30+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults, or immunocompromised). Your telehealth GP can review eligibility, check for drug interactions (particularly for Paxlovid), and prescribe.

Can I get a medical certificate for fever?

Yes. If your GP determines you are unfit for work, school, or carer responsibilities because of the fever or the underlying illness, a medical certificate can be issued during the consultation and sent electronically within minutes. Where clinically appropriate, the certificate can cover the period from when your symptoms started.

Is the fever consultation bulk billed?

Yes. NewDoc bulk bills telehealth consultations for eligible Medicare cardholders, so there is no out-of-pocket cost for the GP appointment. Any eScript, pathology referral, imaging referral, specialist referral, or medical certificate issued during the consultation is included at no extra charge. Medications are usually subsidised under the PBS at your pharmacy.

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