very high fever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very high fever" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a fever that is significantly elevated, often indicating a serious health condition. Example: "The patient was admitted to the hospital with a very high fever, prompting immediate medical attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

A very high fever".

The New York Times

I had just a very high fever.

The Guardian - Sport

"Very high fever," a publicist for the film said sadly.

The New York Times

A very high fever can cause confusion, extreme sleepiness, irritability, and seizures.

Harvard University

By the time Little Buddy arrived, his condition had worsened: He was lethargic and had a very high fever.

Cornell University

"He used to get very sick with ear and throat infections and a very high fever," she said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

"I had very high fevers and very bad pains.

The Guardian

Furthermore, very high fevers are likely to cause more harm than benefit, Dr. Kluger said.

The New York Times - Science

"We should be reserving paracetamol for very high fevers or for major pain relief," he said.

The New York Times - Health

Last May Venezuela saw its first cases of chikungunya, a disease originating in Africa, which causes very high fevers and severe joint pains.

The Economist

It took just over a day for public health officials to dispel fears about bioterrorism; there had been no unusual rise in the number of very high fevers that could have suggested an attack.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a patient's condition, quantify the fever using specific temperature values (e.g., "a fever of 104°F") in conjunction with "very high fever" for clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using multiple intensifiers before "fever" (e.g., "extremely very high fever"). Choose the most appropriate adjective to accurately convey the severity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very high fever" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, where "very high" modifies the noun "fever". As supported by Ludwig AI, it's used to specify the intensity of the fever, indicating it is significantly elevated.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very high fever" is a descriptive noun phrase used to denote a significantly elevated body temperature, often signaling a serious medical condition. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It is commonly found in news reports, scientific articles, and academic texts, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. While the phrase is grammatically sound, it's crucial to quantify the fever with specific temperature values for enhanced clarity. Alternatives like "extremely high fever" or "dangerously high fever" can be used to convey varying degrees of severity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely high fever

Emphasizes the intensity of the fever, similar to "very high fever".

dangerously high fever

Highlights the potential risk associated with the elevated temperature.

severely elevated temperature

Uses more formal language to describe the condition.

alarmingly high temperature

Focuses on the concerning nature of the fever.

critically high fever

Indicates a serious and urgent medical situation.

high-grade fever

A medical term for a fever of significant intensity.

skyrocketing temperature

Suggests a rapid increase in body temperature.

uncontrollable fever

Implies difficulty in managing or reducing the fever.

raging fever

Emphasizes the intensity and uncontrolled nature of the fever.

burning fever

Describes the sensation associated with a very high temperature.

FAQs

How is "very high fever" typically assessed in a medical setting?

In a medical setting, a "very high fever" is typically assessed using a thermometer. Generally, a temperature above 103°F (39.4°C) is considered a high fever, and anything significantly above that would be considered a "very high fever", warranting immediate medical attention.

What are some signs that a "very high fever" requires immediate medical attention?

Signs that a /s/very+high+fever requires immediate medical attention include confusion, seizures, difficulty breathing, severe dehydration, stiff neck, or unresponsiveness. These symptoms suggest a potentially serious underlying condition.

What can I say instead of "very high fever"?

You can use alternatives like "extremely high fever", "dangerously high fever", or "severely elevated temperature" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

What's the difference between "high fever" and "very high fever"?

"High fever" generally refers to a temperature above the normal range, typically over 100.4°F (38°C). "Very high fever" indicates a more significantly elevated temperature, usually above 103°F (39.4°C), suggesting a potentially more serious condition that requires prompt medical evaluation.