A fever is when a person's body temperature is higher than normal. For most people, normal is roughly 98.6° Fahrenheit (37° Celsius). “Low-grade” means that the temperature is slightly elevated — between 98.7°F and 100.4°F (37.5°C and 38.3°C) — and lasts for more than 24 hours.

What does a slightly elevated temperature mean?

Having a fever is a sign that something out of the ordinary is going on in your body. For an adult, a fever may be uncomfortable, but usually isn't a cause for concern unless it reaches 103 F (39.4 C) or higher. For infants and toddlers, a slightly elevated temperature may indicate a serious infection.

Is it normal to have a slightly higher body temperature?

“Typically anything in the range of 97 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit is considered normal, but there are times when a perfectly healthy person might have a body temperature that's slightly higher or slightly lower than that.”