When people say a “fever broke,” they usually mean the body temperature has come down from a febrile range toward normal and the person suddenly feels less hot, achy, and unwell. It often coincides with a period of heavy sweating and feeling very warm as the body actively releases extra heat.

What “fever broke” actually means

In medical terms, fever is generally a temperature above about 100.4°F (38°C), and a “break” is when that elevated temperature drops back closer to the normal range. This usually happens because the brain’s temperature set point, which was turned up during the illness, has reset to normal as the immune response changes.

Why you get sweaty

At the start of a fever, the brain raises the set point, so you feel cold and get chills as your body works to heat up. When the fever breaks, the set point drops again, so now your actual body temperature is higher than the goal and your body cools itself by widening blood vessels and making you sweat a lot.

Does a broken fever mean you’re better?

A broken fever often signals that the body is gaining control over the infection, which is why people tend to feel some relief. However, the underlying illness may still be present, and fevers can come and go, so other symptoms and how you feel overall matter more than just one temperature reading.

When to seek medical help

Medical help is important if a fever is very high (around 103°F or more in adults), lasts more than a couple of days, or is accompanied by alarming symptoms like difficulty breathing, confusion, stiff neck, or seizures. For infants and young children, lower temperatures can be more concerning, so caregivers are usually advised to call a clinician sooner, especially in babies under 3 months.