Fevers play a very useful role in helping your body fight infection naturally. Although many people worry when they or their children have a fever, it is good to remember that fevers generally work for us, not against us, so not all cases require breaking a fever. So if you are interested in how to lower a fever, you must also realize that it is not always the best thing to do. In this article we will examine the role of fever in our body, natural ways to break a fever, as well as when to seek medical advice.
What is the temperature of a fever
Your body temperature can be measured in many places on your body. The most commonly used places are the mouth, ear, armpit, and rectum. Temperature can also be measured on the forehead.
A rectal or ear temperature reading is slightly higher than an oral temperature reading.
In most adults, an oral temperature over 38 ° C (100.4 ° F), or a rectal or ear temperature above 38.3 ° C (101 ° F) is considered a fever. A child has a fever when his rectal temperature is 38 ° C (100.4 ° F) or higher.
According to, fever values can vary somewhat depending on the condition and age of the patient, but can be divided into three groups: "low", "high" and "dangerous" fever.
Low-grade fever ranges from around 37.70 ° C to 38.30 ° C
38.88 is medium level for adults, but it is a temperature at which adults should seek medical attention if they have a baby (0-6 months).
High-grade fevers range from around 39.40 ° C to 40 ° C
Dangerous temperatures are high fevers ranging from 40 ° C to 41.6 ° C or more (extremely high fevers are also called hyperpyrexia).
Normal body temperature is actually the perfect temperature for most viruses and bacteria to thrive. So when you have an infection, your body temperature rises to try to kill the infection and when the infection is gone, the temperature should return to normal.
Although we tend to think that you always have to lower a fever, there are circumstances in which it is not necessary to lower it.
When you don't need to lower a fever
Doctors and scientists have realized that fever is the natural response of the immune system to infections and that most low-grade fevers are not something to worry about.
In the Journal of Leukocyte Biology on the connection of fever and the immune system. That the immune system is actually increased when our body temperature rises and added that it is of course very important to handle very high body temperatures as it can be dangerous. However, it encouraged people to think about how to alleviate lower fevers.
In fact, taking medicine to reduce a mild fever can actually make you sick longer. The University of Maryland conducted research on patients who had the flu and took fever-reducing medications. They found that although anti-fever drugs helped people feel better faster, patients were sick longer. Other studies have estimated that suppressing fever actually increases annual flu cases by about 5%.
That's why the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that when it comes to breaking a fever, you should focus on improving a child's overall comfort rather than normalizing the body temperature.
How to lower a fever when necessary in 5 natural ways
Therefore, if you or your child have a mild fever, it is a good idea to listen to what the body is saying. The fever forces you to take it easy, rest, and allow your body time to recover. You should also drink plenty of fluids. A mild fever will help kill the viruses and bacteria that are making you sick.
Rest to lower fever
It is important to get proper rest if you have a fever. During this time, you should check body temperature every 2 hours to ensure that the temperature does not get dangerously high. Make sure to stay well hydrated as fluids are lost through sweat.
While you are resting, a cool, wet face towel can be placed on your or your child's forehead to reduce fever.
Removing excess clothing and blankets and keeping the room at a reasonable temperature. If the weather is hot and stuffy, then a fan can help cool the air.
Take a shower or bath in the tub
Taking a bath is a great way to lower a fever. Fill a bathtub with warm water and bathe in it. The warm water will help you relax and as the water cools, your body temperature will.
Now. Having a cold bath or shower can have the opposite effect of lowering a fever because it can make you shiver, which will raise your body temperature, so don't use cold baths, ice, or rubbing alcohol.
For children, pediatrician recommends giving your child a warm bath or a warm sponge bath. This will help lower body temperature and reduce fever when water evaporates from the skin.
Wet socks to lower a fever
This method is a traditional naturopathic approach to reducing fever and involves sleeping in a pair of damp socks. For this, you need a pair of cotton socks that cover the ankles.
First, take the socks in cold water and then drain the excess. Put the socks on the feet and then put a pair of woolen socks over them to insulate them. That the body reacts to cold socks by increasing blood circulation, which also stimulates the immune system.
While this method will not help reduce fever directly, it does help treat inflammation, infection, sore throat, headaches, migraines, nasal congestion, upper respiratory tract infections, coughs, bronchitis, and sinus infections.
Eat the right kind of food
It is a well-known fact that certain foods can have an impact on the body's immune system. In fact, scientific studies seem to support the old advice to "feed a cold and starve a fever."
When the body is hungry it releases more cells that help boost the immune system. Also, when the body digests food, energy is wasted in the digestion process and you want your energy to be used to control the infection that causes the fever.
Therefore, to keep your immune system healthy, you must continue to eat small amounts of nutritious foods. Eat fruits that are rich in vitamin C, which is one of the natural substances to boost your immune system, and it will help keep you hydrated and lower your fever.
Foods’s rich in vitamin C are citrus fruits, broccoli, guava, kiwi, strawberries, bell peppers, papaya, and berries (which are especially rich in vitamin C).
Another great remedy if you are suffering from an infection is to eat chicken soup.
In the journal Chest, the chicken soup has an effect on flu symptoms. Itobserved that it could be a combination of the vegetables and chicken that helps boost the body's immune response. Another reason to drink soup when you have a fever is that the liquid in the soup helps you stay hydrated and the warmth of it helps to decongest and lower the fever.
When it comes to eating, it is important to listen to your body and not eat too much, which will put a strain on your immune system.
Drink herbal tea to lower fever
Herbal teas will keep you hydrated and can help lower a fever by promoting sweating, which helps cool the body and prevent the fever from rising too high. Some of the best herbal teas for fever reduction are:
· Mint
· Cinnamon
· Ginger
· Oregano
· Thyme
· Echinacea
· Red clover
You can try preparing a special ginger tea for that using lemon.
Fever - When to see the doctor
It is important to remember that while a slight fever usually clears up on its own and helps the body rid itself of the infection, a very high temperature can cause serious complications. Therefore, it is always important to monitor the body temperature.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you call a doctor immediately if your child:
· Is less than 3 months old and has a temperature of 38.0 ° C or more
· Fever rises above 40 ° C several times in a child of any age
· You should also consult your doctor if your child is drowsy.
· Have a headache
· Has an unexplained rash
· There is vomiting or diarrhea
· Seek advice if fever persists for more than 24 hours in a child younger than 2 years
· When the fever persists for more than 3 days in a child 2 years of age or older.
You should also be prepared to tell the doctor the exact temperature and where the temperature was taken, that is, the mouth, rectum, armpit, forehead, etc.
For adults, if you have a fever over 39.4 C and it keeps rising, then you should call a doctor, or if the fever lasts longer than seven days or the fever symptoms get worse.
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