What term describes an elevated body temperature typically above 101°F?

The term that describes an elevated body temperature typically above 101°F is "fever." A fever is a physiological response indicating that the body is fighting off an infection or illness. When the body recognizes pathogens, it raises its temperature as a defense mechanism, making it more difficult for those pathogens to thrive.

Hyperthermia, while related, refers to an abnormally high body temperature due to external factors like excessive heat exposure, rather than the body's intentional increase as seen in a fever. Hypothermia is the opposite condition, characterized by dangerously low body temperature, and chills refer to the sensation of cold, often accompanying a fever rather than describing a temperature condition itself. Thus, fever specifically highlights the body's regulated response to infection or illness, distinguishing it from the other terms provided.