A mild fever is not a major cause of concern, unless it affects babies under the age of 3 months. A mild fever can be easily treated by following simple home remedies. The following write-up provides information on some natural ways to break a fever and the circumstances under which medical attention must be sought.
Can Fever be Good for You?
Fevers that are less than 104 °F or 40 °C (with the exception of infants) are considered to be normal and good for health because they activate the body's protective mechanism and help it fight against infections.
Fever, which is medically referred to as pyrexia, refers to a rise in body temperature above the normal range of 98 °F. Fever isn't an illness, but it is an indicator of an underlying medical condition.
So, if you suffer from an infection, your body will try to indicate that by several symptoms, one of which could be a fever. It must be noted that a fever may or may not be clinically significant.
Though a slight fluctuation in the body temperature is usually not a cause of serious concern, medical help must be sought in the event of high fever, as fever and the accompanying symptoms may become severe in the absence of timely treatment.
The symptoms that are accompanied by fever and the fever pattern can give doctors valuable insights that may help them in identifying the underlying cause.
Tips to Reduce Fever in Babies
Since the immune system of babies is weaker than that of children or adults, they are more susceptible to infections or medical conditions that may cause fever. Here are some remedies and self-care measures that can be followed to eliminate fever in babies.
➞ The first and foremost thing to do is to take the rectal temperature of the baby for determining if the fever is mild or high. Place the baby on his/her back. Take a rectal thermometer and lubricate it with petroleum jelly.
Hold the ankles of the baby and lift the legs up to his/her ears. Insert the thermometer about half an inch into the rectum and hold it steady with a gentle grip. Remove the thermometer when you hear a beep, and check the temperature.
➞ If your baby has a fever, don't wrap him/her in blankets or excess clothing. Make your baby wear a thin line of clothing and wrap him/her in a single blanket.
➞ Make sure that you keep the baby in a well-ventilated room. Remember, the temperature of the room should never be so low that it makes the baby shiver, as chills can raise the body's temperature.
➞ Medicines must be administered only after consulting a pediatrician.
➞ Common fever medicines such as ibuprofen and acetaminophenare not recommended for babies, so don't decide on your own. Consult a pediatrician.
➞ It is advisable to bathe the baby in lukewarm water. Always ensure the water that is used for bathing a baby is not too cold, as it will make your baby shiver. You could also give your baby a sponge bath.
➞ Alcohol baths are not recommended for babies.
Home Remedies to Break a Fever in Adults
Drink Plenty of Fluids
➞ Our body has its own mechanism of regulating body temperature. When body temperature is high, we perspire a lot. This helps to lower body temperature. Excessive perspiration can lead to dehydration, which in turn can make you feel uncomfortable. It is essential to drink plenty of water, so as to prevent dehydration, especially when you have a high fever.
➞ Drinking fresh juices will replenish your body with vitamins and minerals in high fever. Beet or carrot juice is recommended for those who have fever.
➞ Use of herbs can also help in breaking a fever. Drinking herbal tea made from ginger root, cayenne, cinnamon, and cloves is very effective in breaking a fever and also provides relief to the person.
Lukewarm Bath
➞ It's always better to use lukewarm water for bathing. You can also add peppermint or ginger oil to water.
Dress Appropriately
➞ Do not wrap yourselves in several layers of clothing. You can either break the fever naturally by dressing lightly, but do keep the temperature of the room in mind while doing so.
Take Complete Rest
➞ It is necessary to take adequate rest when you are suffering from a fever. Stress and physical exertion could be contributing factors for fever. Hence, it is most important to give rest to your body so as to restore the body temperature to normal.
Diet During a Fever
➞ The diet that you follow during the course of a fever can also contribute in either alleviating or aggravating the condition. Hence, it is recommended to consume the food items that will offer some relief and keep you physically strong. Take a look at the following list of foods that you should consume when suffering from fever.
➞ A liquid diet is strongly recommended. Increase your intake of water and other fluids like chicken soup, orange juice, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, etc. Do not drink canned fruit juices when you have a fever. Small quantities of fluids, at regular intervals, should be given if the patient is not suffering from diarrhea.
➞ After 2-3 days of following a liquid diet, the patient can take an all-fruit diet. Fruits contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals that are lost during the fever and are also easy to digest.
➞ A semi-solid diet can be introduced after 4-5 days. You could consume bland, soft and easily digestible foods like cereals, mashed rice, porridge, steamed vegetables, fruits like banana, papaya, melons, etc.
It is possible to cure fever at home if proper care is taken. While there are several home remedies to treat fever, it is essential not to self-treat.
Herbal remedies can prove beneficial, but don't follow them unless you are completely aware of their benefits or the possible side effects. Do consult a medical expert for proper treatment, if the fever doesn't resolve in 3-4 days.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.