So what’s the deal with fevers? Should you take fever reducers? Contrary to popular belief, a fever can be your friend, which means taking acetaminophen isn’t the best way to handle a fever.
When your body surmounts a fever, it helps to kill the bug — or virus, and keep it at bay as the immune system ramps up. ⠀⠀⠀⠀
Natural Ways to Care for a Fever⠀⠀⠀
We know it’s not pleasant and also devastating to see your child so miserable, or for yourself to feel unwell. But, wouldn’t you rather have a fever than be sick for months or end up in the hospital due to complications? A fever is one of the first lines of defense.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The best way to care for a fever is to start by taking your temperature when you begin to feel sick. This will create a baseline of your temperature. If your temperature is normally 97.2 degrees Fahrenheit (°F), then a fever for you may be 99.5°F. Keep an eye on this number until you are feeling better.
Thankfully, there are quite a few natural ways to care for a fever.
Stay Hydrated
Maintaining hydration is essential as fevers can lead to dehydration.
It is best to drink some water with electrolytes. You can dissolve 1/4 tsp of Lo Salt (also known as reduced sodium salt) in 1/2 cup water and drink it.
Lo Salt can be purchased at the supermarket and online. It is a mix of potassium chloride and sodium chloride, which are electrolytes. You can also do any electrolyte powder or coconut water!
Rest and Relaxation
Sometimes the best course of action is a little r-and-r in the form of resting and a soothing bath.
The optimal fever level is between 100.5°F to 102.5°F. Anything over 103.5°F should be monitored and possibly sent to urgent care. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If the fever is too high, there are ways to help bring it down.
- Take a body-temp bath or “tepid bath” to bring the body’s temperature down. A tepid bath is simply bathwater that is approximately 90° F. By soaking in the bath for 20 to 30 minutes, or giving a sponge bath, the water temperature can help break the fever.
- Putting ginger in the bathtub can help you sweat. Ginger is considered a diaphoretic, and contains antibacterial properties, which can be a natural fever reducer. Another option is that you can drink ginger tea and then get into the bathtub. ⠀⠀⠀
- Cool compresses on the forehead also may help with comfort.
- Sleep and rest as much as possible. Get under the covers and sweat it out!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Food Intake
If you or your sick child feel hungry with a fever, eat lightly. It’s important to only eat easy-to-digest foods and soups. If you don’t feel hungry, it’s ok to just rest at that moment.
Your body will not have the reserves to digest food, instead the food will become sludge in the intestines. The more someone is able to fast with water, herbal teas, and bone broths, the sooner the fever should subside. Sometimes, within a few days.
The rule of thumb regarding fevers and when to eat is one that should be taken into consideration. After six hours that the body’s temperature has gone below 99.9° F, it’s ok to start introducing soup with carrots, celery, and onion.
After that, you can work your way up to more solid, healthy food as you feel better.
However, if you do have a fever and are hungry, you can listen to your body and eat, but just focus on easy to digest soups and broths.
When do I Consult a Doctor About a Fever?
It’s possible that there will be times when a doctor or pediatrician with regards to what to do if you or your child have a fever. Some of those situations include:
- Babies under 6 months old with a fever over 101° F or a fever lasting more than one day.
- Immune-suppressed patients including the elderly, those with HIV, transplant patients, and autoimmune patients receiving immunosuppressive treatment.
- Fevers over 103.5° F or fevers with confusion, severe headache, and stiff neck or signs of dehydration.
- Fever in a healthy adult that lasts more than four days.
This information is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician. If you are concerned, it’s important to consult a physician.
Check the Naturally Sue Shop page which has some super helpful immune supportive packages for adults to help prevent a fever as well as use acutely for fever. For children, we do require an appointment to make sure we keep them safe.
We would love to help you through a fever! Schedule a consultation to speak with our professionals.
