How to Cure a Fever
A fever is your body’s way of alerting you to the presence of bacteria or viruses that have invaded your body. The body increases its temperature to kill bacteria and viruses, and to heighten your immune system’s response to ward off infection and disease. Fever can be quite uncomfortable, and can keep you off your everyday routine for quite a while. If you need to cure a fever fast, here are some ways to do so.
Bed Rest
Everyone gets a fever at one time or another. Fever is a normal physiological response to ward off disease caused by bacteria and viruses that have invaded your body. As much as possible, try not to medicate a fever; high temperatures can cause the bacteria and viruses to die, and you’ll feel better than ever after a fever attack. It’s best to get bed rest to put your immune system at the best condition to attack invaders. Bed rest allows you to recuperate faster, and gives your immune system enough time to nurse your body back to health.
Analgesics and Antipyretics
You may have seen fever medications sold at pharmacies, and you may not know how these medications work to cure a fever. There are two types of medications which are often combined together to cure a fever:
Analgesics, or painkillers, relieve the migraines, headaches, and body pains usually associated with a high fever. Analgesics include ibuprofen and mefenamic acid.
Antipyretics are medications that reduce high body temperatures that are consistent with fever. Two common antipyretics include acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) and aspirin.
Most analgesics and antipyretics can be bought over-the-counter, although you still need to consult a doctor or read the inset leaflets to check if you have any conditions that may trigger adverse reactions.
Rehydration
Your body will give up a lot of water due to sweating during a fever, and it’s very important to keep your water levels balanced. With a lot of water to work with, your body will then adapt and get rid of the fever faster. Here are some fluids that you should drink if you have a fever:
Water. Cool - not cold - water can help lower your body temperature and give your immune system a boost to ward off the infection faster.
Fruit juice. Vitamins and nutrients in many fruit juices can also help fight off bacteria, viruses, and lower your body temperature. Try to stay away from powdered fruit juices and stick with fresh fruit juice.
Chicken soup. Many people swear by the healing properties of chicken soup. Chicken soup contains many healthful ingredients that can temporarily relieve symptoms of fever, and also tastes good.
See a Doctor
If a fever reaches a temperature higher than 38.5 degrees, you may need to see a doctor. High fever may be a symptom of other illnesses, like typhoid or serious kinds of fever caused by viruses (dengue fever, ebola fever, or yellow fever). If the fever is bad enough for you to be confined to bed for more than three days, you need to consult a doctor.
Everyone gets fever, but it doesn’t have to get in the way of you leading an active and healthy lifestyle. With these tips to help you cure a fever, the time you spend set back from your illness will be cut shorter, and you’ll be back on your feet in no time.