What is a common sign of fever?

A common sign of fever is an elevated temperature. Fever is defined as a temporary increase in body temperature, often due to an illness or infection. It is the body's natural response to help fight off pathogens by creating an environment that is less favorable to their survival and multiplying, and by activating the immune system.

When assessing a patient, measuring body temperature is a standard procedure, and an elevated temperature (typically above 100.4°F or 38°C) is an indicator of fever. This physiological change is accompanied by other symptoms such as chills, sweating, or an increased heart rate, but the hallmark sign remains the increased temperature itself.

Other options do not directly indicate fever. Cold extremities may occur in certain situations but are not a sign of fever; in fact, a person with fever might experience warm extremities. Decreased appetite can be associated with illness or fever but is not a direct indicator of fever. Decreased respiration might occur in various medical conditions but does not correlate with the presence of fever. Thus, recognizing elevated temperature is a critical step in identifying fever in a clinical setting.