Fever is a temporary phase when body temperature is higher than normal (usually 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit but may slightly vary from person to person). It is not a disease but just a symptom of infection/inflammation. To be more relevant, it’s the body’s natural response to infection.
A very high or persistent fever might be a form of viral fever, generally caused by Viral Infection.
However, there are several things one can do at home to help manage your symptoms of fever. In this article, discover symptoms and causes of fever, some natural home remedies for fever that are safe and highly effective.
Symptoms of Fever
Fevers can also be risky in some cases. It is important to know some of the common symptoms:
- Flushed complexion or hot skin
- Irritability
- Raised body temperature
- Chills & shivering
- Body aches & headaches
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
- Intermittent or constant sweating
- Sore Eyes
If you accompany fever along with the below-listed symptoms, visit a nearby doctor immediately.
- Bad headache
- Unusual skin rashes on the body
- When you bend your head forward you feel stiffness in the neck and pain
- Persistent vomiting
- Difficulty in breathing or having a chest pain
- Abdominal pain
- Muscle weakness
- Seizure
Common Causes of Fever
- A viral/bacterial infection
- Heat exhaustion
- Certain inflammatory ailments such as rheumatoid arthritis — inflammation of the lining of your joints (synovium)
- Urinary tract infection
- Earaches
- A malignant tumor
- Certain medications, such as antibiotics and drugs used to treat high blood pressure or convulsions
- Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP) or pneumococcal vaccine are some immunizations that can be a major cause for the fever
Home Remedies for Fever
- Stay hydrated – During fever the body’s demand for water increases to compensate for the rise in temperature. Else, there are chances of dehydration. Apart from plain water, soups, broths, and even energizers (drinks with electrolyte combinations) are beneficial. Orange juice or fruit juices rich in Vitamin C help assist the immune system in fighting against the infection.
- Drink Herbal Teas – They help us stay hydrated, strengthen the immune system as well as perspire. Adding Ginger and Cinnamon bark when brewing a hot cup of tea not just adds to the flavor but also induces sweating (to lower the temperature) as well as extracts the pain & weariness due to fever. Echinacea, Yarrow, White Willow bark too are well-known herbs to treat fevers. Yarrow induces sweating while white willow bark helps ease headaches.
- Rest – Rest a lot and sleep well to allow the body to recover naturally using its energy to only fight against infection.
- Take a warm bath – Bathing or Sponging relaxes the muscle fatigue & leaves the person fresh. However, a cold bath is not suggested as it may cause shivering & a rise in body temperature.
- Bring the temperature down – Soaking some washcloths in cold/ice-cold water & placing them on the forehead or wrapping them around the palms as well as soles of the feet effectively brings down very high fever(as it may be risky). In case this does not affect, the person can be wrapped in a wet sheet after taking away the clothes. The sheet needs to be changed once it turns hot until the temperature is under control.
- Add Epsom salt to bath – Adding Epsom salt to the barth makes it easier to draw toxins from the body thus making the person feel better.
- Using Essential oils – The effect of essential oils like Lavender, Rosemary, Eucalyptus, etc. is soothing for the body. Massaging the soles of the feet with a few drops of peppermint oil added to coconut oil relieves stress & muscle fatigue. The effect can also be enjoyed by adding a few drops to aroma diffusers.
- Wet sock treatment – Though the treatment sounds strange, it is a natural cure also known as ‘Hydrotherapy of the Feet’. Tested & accepted by many, this therapy aims to stimulate the immune system as well as increasing the blood circulation reflexively decreasing congestion in upper respiratory passages, throat & head. The treatment needs a lot of caution & awareness else may have adverse effects.
Prevention
Mentioned below are certain basic tips that can help prevent fever caused by germs:
- Washing hands with soap & water- Hands should be washed frequently with soap & water, especially before eating or after using the toilet. Also after visiting a sick, playing with a pet, using public transport or where ever you think germs can be carried. In case soap & water is not available, use a 60%alcohol based sanitizer.
- Touching your nose, mouth or eyes- Avoid touching your nose, eyes & mouth to restrict the virus/bacteria from entering your body.
- Cover your mouth and your nose before coughing/sneezing, Cover your mouth & nose before coughing/sneezing to avoid passing germs to others.
When to Call a Doctor
Normally a fever should be allowed to run its normal course as it is the body’s natural response to fight against infection but then too anything a bit unusual should be taken care of and consulted with a doctor:
- Dehydration.
- Trouble breathing.
- Excessive lethargy.
- Persistent fever lasting more than 2-3 days.
- 3 months baby having a fever over 100.4º F
- When the person is undergoing chemotherapy treatment and notices fever over 104º F
- If a person carries no clear source of fever such as, runny nose, no cough, no pain, etc.