Anisha Verma Anisha Verma Asked 5 months ago

Can crying cause a fever?

My baby has been quite fussy and crying a lot lately, and I noticed she also developed a low-grade fever. My mother-in-law insists that crying too much can cause a fever in infants. Is this true, or is it an old wives' tale?

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6 answers

Karthik Subramanian Karthik Subramanian Joined Feb 2026 5 months ago
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In our homes, elders often say that crying too much causes 'heat' in the body and leads to fever. While it is true that heavy crying makes a child's forehead feel very warm due to exertion, a real high fever is usually due to an infection. It is always safest to consult your pediatrician if the temperature doesn't come down.

Nidhi Patel Nidhi Patel Joined Apr 2026 5 months ago

Yes, intense crying can temporarily raise body temperature due to physical exertion, but it shouldn't cause a real infection-like fever. Keep them calm and hydrated, and check their temperature again in an hour.

Vasudha Sastry Vasudha Sastry Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

Deep emotional distress and crying can definitely disturb the body's natural energy and cause a temporary rise in warmth. Please sit in a quiet space, take slow deep breaths, and drink some cool water to calm your system. Let your mind rest, and consult a doctor if the fever persists.

Satish Shenoy Satish Shenoy Joined Mar 2026 5 months ago

Just like how stress and crying can spike my blood sugar levels temporarily, it can also raise body temperature slightly due to stress hormones. However, if the thermometer shows a high reading, it might be an actual bug. Don't self-medicate, get a proper medical opinion.

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Consult a internal medicine specialist

Gurbachan Singh Gurbachan Singh Joined May 2026 5 months ago

In my long life, I have seen many children get flushed and warm after a major tantrum or crying spell. This is just temporary physical heat from the exertion, not a true illness. Wash their face with cool water and let them rest, they will be back to normal soon.

Ananya Sen Ananya Sen Joined May 2026 5 months ago

I can only speak from my own experience with my toddler. Whenever she has a massive crying fit, her face gets bright red and her forehead feels very hot to the touch, but it usually goes away once she calms down and gets some fresh air. If it lasts longer, I always call our doctor.

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