Fever is a natural response of the body when it is activated against the attack of pathogens. Typically, unless you are very ill or the temperature is not too high, you should not try to lower it, but leave the body to fight the infection. However, there are various steps you can take to make the course of the disease more bearable and treat yourself by staying at home.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Lower the Fever
Step 1. Measure your body temperature to accurately monitor the progress of your fever
When you have a fever, using a thermometer you can know exactly your body temperature so that you can consult your doctor in case of need. The digital oral thermometer is accurate and easy to use for both adults and children: just place it under the tongue and hold it in this position until it beeps, after which the display can be read. For younger children, the rectal thermometer is more suitable.
- Consult your doctor if the temperature reaches or exceeds 39 ° C. If the patient is more than 2 years old, it is necessary to consult the pediatrician if the fever does not pass within 3 days.
- If it is a newborn of no more than 3 months, it is necessary to call the pediatrician if the temperature exceeds 38 ° C. For babies of 3-6 months, the pediatrician should be contacted if the fever exceeds 39 ° C o lasts more than a day.
Step 2. Drink lots of water
When you have a fever, the high temperature and sweating can quickly dehydrate the body. Dehydration, in turn, promotes an increase in body temperature causing headaches, dizziness, muscle cramps, lowering of blood pressure and convulsions. To avoid this risk, increase your water intake until you start to feel better.
- Generally, adults should have about 2 liters of fluid per day. Anything is fine, but when you are not feeling well, it is preferable to opt for water, fruit juices and broth.
- It is advisable to rehydrate the smallest subjects following these guidelines: 30 ml of liquids every hour for infants, 60 ml every hour for children between 12 and 36 months and 90 ml every hour for older children.
- Sports drinks also help you rehydrate, but to avoid getting too much electrolytes, dilute them with equal parts water. For young children, consider a suitable electrolyte solution, such as Pedialyte, because the rehydrating elements contained within are dosed according to their body.
Step 3. Get plenty of sleep
Rest allows the body to heal faster because it strengthens the immune system. Also, being over-exercised can raise your temperature even more, so avoid moving too much. If possible, take a break from work or avoid going to school to sleep and recover faster.
Lack of sleep can weaken the immune system, increase the production of stress hormones, increase the risk of developing chronic diseases and lower life expectancy
Step 4. Take an antipyretic to lower the fever
If the temperature rises above 39 ° C or becomes difficult to manage, you can take medication to bring it down. Several over-the-counter medicines are designed for this purpose, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin. To relieve it, choose one by following the instructions in the package insert.
- You should consult your doctor to find out if it is possible to give paracetamol to a patient under 18 or ibuprofen to a child over 6 months of age. Carefully follow the dosage indicated in the package leaflet.
- People under the age of 18 should not take aspirin unless specifically recommended by their doctor. This drug has been found to have a correlation with the development of Reye's syndrome, a disease that causes brain edema and fat accumulation in the liver.
- Follow the dosage instructions carefully and do not take several drugs at the same time. You can alternate between them, for example by taking one dose of ibuprofen and one of acetaminophen 4 hours later, only if recommended by your doctor.
Step 5. Wear loose, light clothing
When you have a fever, try to stay comfortable and cool by wearing thin, loose-fitting clothing. For example, you could wear a light shirt and a pair of gym shorts. At night, use a light blanket or sheet to sleep on.
Natural fibers, such as cotton, bamboo or silk, are more breathable than man-made ones, such as acrylic and polyester
Step 6. Lower the internal temperature of the room
To better deal with the fever, the room you are hospitalized in should be cool, so try lowering the temperature of the heating system. If it is high, it can prolong the course of the fever and increase sweating, dehydrating the body.
- If the room is still hot or stuffy, try turning on a fan.
- The ideal internal temperature should be around 22 ° C, so you may want to set the thermostat to 20-21 ° C.
Step 7. Do some sponging
Fill the bathtub with water just warmer than room temperature, but colder than body temperature: at 29-32 ° C it's perfect. Sit down, dip a sponge or washcloth and dab it all over your body. As the water evaporates, it will help you lower your body temperature.
Even a lukewarm shower can offer you some relief, even if it doesn't drop the temperature much because it doesn't allow the water to gradually evaporate from the skin
Step 8. Stay indoors as much as possible
If you can, stay indoors where the air is drier and the temperature doesn't change abruptly. If you have to go outside and it's hot outside, stay in the shade and avoid moving too much. If it's cold, wear warm but comfortable clothes.
Part 2 of 3: Know What to Avoid
Step 1. Don't bundle up even if you feel cold
Sometimes, a fever causes the teeth to chatter from the cold. However, in these cases, avoid using too many blankets or wrapping yourself up or your body temperature will rise further.
The perception of cold is due to the difference in temperature between the skin and the outside air. Try to avoid drafts and, if necessary, get under a light blanket
Step 2. Don't take very cold showers or baths
Even if you feel very hot, avoid taking a shower or bath in cold water to lower the temperature. You may begin to tremble and, in this case, there is a risk that your body temperature will rise, prolonging the course of the fever.
Ideally, the water should be slightly warmer than room temperature
Step 3. Don't use denatured alcohol to cool down
Applied to the skin, it gives a sensation of freshness, but only momentarily. Also, it can cause chills and, therefore, raise your body temperature.
In addition, alcohol risks being absorbed into the skin, generating a very dangerous skin poisoning, which can even lead to coma, especially in infants and children
Step 4. Avoid smoking
In addition to the risk of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases, smoking weakens the immune system. In other words, it inhibits the body's defenses against viruses and bacteria, so you are more likely to develop a high fever. Quitting smoking is not easy, so check with your doctor to find out if you can use a smoking cessation method or contact a support group for help with smoking.
Babies and children should not be exposed to secondhand smoke, especially when they have a fever
Step 5. Avoid caffeine and alcohol
Both of these substances promote dehydration and therefore represent a serious risk in case of fever, which already involves an excessive loss of systemic fluids. Therefore, it is best to avoid them until you feel better.
In addition to increasing the risk of dehydration, alcohol weakens the immune system, preventing the body from recovering quickly
Part 3 of 3: Knowing When to See Your Doctor
Step 1. Call the emergency services if the fever reaches 39-41 ° C
If it is very high, it can be extremely dangerous. If you are an adult and above 39 ° C, go to the emergency room or an emergency medical facility. You may need drug administration or hospitalization.
- If it is a baby under 3 months of age, contact your pediatrician in case of fever. This symptom could indicate a serious infection.
- For children aged 3 to 12 months, it is necessary to see the pediatrician if the body temperature reaches or exceeds 38 ° C. However, they should be examined if the fever exceeds 39 ° C. The same recommendation applies in the case of patients who have less than 2 years with fever lasting more than 48 hours.
- Children between the ages of 7 and 12 should be taken to the emergency room if the fever exceeds 39 ° C.
Warning:
take your child to the emergency room if he is unconscious, does not wake easily or has a fluctuating fever for at least a week, even if it is not very high, or if symptoms return after a period of remission. Also, take him to the pediatrician if he has severe signs of dehydration, such as crying but not producing tears.
Step 2. Call your doctor if the fever persists
Fever is a natural reaction by which the body tries to eliminate an infection or disease. However, if it continues, it could indicate a more serious or rooted problem. If it doesn't go away after several days, even after a few attempts to get it down, call your doctor. They may advise you to go to the emergency room or prescribe a medication that can relieve it.
If it lasts longer than 48 hours, contact your doctor. It could indicate a viral infection
Step 3. Call the emergency services if you have symptoms of dehydration
A high fever can promote fluid loss and cause dehydration. If you start experiencing certain symptoms, such as dry mouth, drowsiness, poor passing urine or dark urine, headache, dry skin, dizziness and fainting, go to the emergency room or a medical facility immediately. emergency.
Your emergency room doctors will likely give you intravenous fluids to rehydrate you
Step 4. See your doctor if your fever rises in conjunction with a pre-existing medical condition
If you have diabetes, anemia, heart disease or lung disease and your body temperature rises excessively, you need to be examined. Fever is more dangerous in the case of already diagnosed pathologies because it risks aggravating the clinical picture.
If you are concerned, call your doctor to find out what you need to do
Step 5. See your doctor if you get a rash or bruise during your fever
If you have a rash or bruising that seems to be developing without an obvious cause, contact your doctor. These symptoms may indicate a serious immune system disorder.
- If the rash gets worse or begins to spread, go to the emergency room.
- If the bruises hurt and begin to widen or radiate to various parts of the body, it could indicate a serious illness. Go to the hospital if they are painful and numerous.
Warnings
- If the fever exceeds 40 ° C, consult your doctor.
- Do not take a shower or bath with cold water because it promotes chills, which is a reaction in which the body, through an increase in muscle activity, increases the production of heat and, consequently, the body temperature.
- Do not overdo the doses of antipyretics, unless your doctor advises you otherwise.
- Avoid bundling up or wrapping yourself in heavy blankets. The fever could get worse.
- Do not apply denatured alcohol to your skin to cool yourself down, otherwise skin poisoning may occur.
