Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 2: Lowering Body Temperature Naturally
• Part 2 of 2: Lowering the Temperature with Medicines
• Tips
• Warnings

Fever is an increase in body temperature above normal, that is, usually above 37.2 ° C in the armpit. Fever indicates the presence of a disease and that the body is fighting some kind of infection that is the cause of this disease. Most often, an elevated temperature is beneficial because viruses and bacteria cannot survive in the body at high temperatures, so heat is the body's defense mechanism. Fever can be uncomfortable, but if it does not exceed 39.4 ° C in adults or 38.3 ° C in children and does not last more than a few days, then it should not be a cause for concern. Most often, the temperature will normalize on its own, but the higher temperature must be brought down, as it can cause serious complications, including brain damage. There are many natural remedies and medicines available to lower the temperature.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Lowering Body Temperature Naturally

1. 1 Be patient and control the temperature. In most cases, fever in children and adults goes away in two to three days, and the temperature does not rise to dangerous levels. That is why, if the fever is moderate, it is recommended to simply be patient for a few days and regularly, every two to three hours, measure the temperature. Remember that a moderately high temperature is acceptable, but do not allow it to rise above dangerous values: 39.4 ° C in adults or 38.3 ° C in children. In infants and young children, rectal body temperature measurements are recommended. An elevated temperature that lasts for about a week or longer is a cause for concern.
   • Remember that your body temperature usually rises in the evening or after physical activity. For short periods of time, the temperature can also rise during menstruation if you have strong emotions or are in hot and humid environments.
   • In addition to increased sweating, mild to moderate fever is most often accompanied by muscle pain, general weakness, fatigue, chills, headache, loss of appetite, and flushing of the face.
   • Symptoms of intense fever include hallucinations, confusion, irritability, seizures, and loss of consciousness (coma).
   • Drinking enough is important for mild to moderate fever. An increase in body temperature increases sweating, which can obviously lead to dehydration if you do not drink more fluids.
2. 2 Remove excess blankets and excess clothing. The obvious way to lower the temperature is to take off excess clothing and remove excess blankets. Clothes and blankets cover the body, preventing excess heat from leaving the skin. Therefore, if you have a fever, it is recommended that you wear something light and only cover yourself with a light blanket while sleeping.
   • Try not to use synthetic or wool clothing or blankets. Prefer cotton as it breathes better in your skin.
   • Remember that a lot of heat is lost through the head and feet, so if you have a fever it is best not to wear a hat or socks.
   • Avoid wrapping someone who develops chills and a high temperature, as the high temperature may cause the person to overheat.
3. 3 Take a cool bath or shower. If you or your child has a fever, which is accompanied by the above symptoms, then try to take measures to reduce it. For example, you can take a cool bath or shower. At the same time, it is very important not use cold water, ice, or alcoholic solutions, as they can aggravate the situation by causing shivers as the core temperature rises. Use only warm or cool water, and do not take a bath or shower for more than 10-15 minutes. If you are feeling tired and weak, it is probably much better to take a bath than a shower.
   • As an alternative to a bath or shower, you can use a cold compress. To do this, take a piece of clean cloth (handkerchief or sponge), dampen it in cold water and place it on your forehead. Change the compress every 20 minutes until the temperature subsides.
   • It is also a good idea to spray cool water on your face, neck, and upper chest. To do this, use a spray bottle. Fill a bottle of cool water and spray about every half hour.
4. 4 Drink more. It is always important to drink a lot, and it is especially important to do this at elevated temperatures, since the body loses a lot of fluid with sweat. Increase your water intake by at least 25%. That is, if you are used to drinking eight full glasses of water daily (RDA), increase that amount to 10 glasses if you have a fever. You can drink chilled drinks with a few ice cubes to lower the temperature a little.Natural fruit and vegetable juices are also beneficial because they contain sodium (an electrolyte) that the body loses through sweat.
   • Avoid drinks that contain caffeine and alcohol, as these can increase the flow of blood to the skin, thus raising the temperature.
   • If you have a fever but are not sweating, it is recommended to drink warming drinks (such as herbal tea) and eat warming foods (such as chicken broth) to increase sweating - sweat naturally cools the body.
5. 5 Sit or lie next to the fan. The more air circulates around you and around sweat-covered skin, the more efficient the evaporation process will be, which means the body will cool down better. Staying close to the fan can speed up this process. Try to sit, lie, and sleep next to a ventilator to keep the temperature down, but make sure you open your body enough for a more efficient process.
   • Do not sit too close to the fan and do not turn it on to the fastest mode, as this can cause chills, you will get goosebumps, and this, on the contrary, will increase your body temperature.
   • If the room is hot and humid, it is probably best to use an air conditioner, but otherwise a fan is better, as it is unlikely to cool the room too much.

Part 2 of 2: Lowering the Temperature with Medicines

1. 1 When to see a doctor. In most cases, fever is a good response of the body to infection and does not need to be controlled. But sometimes lowering the temperature is still necessary to prevent complications such as febrile seizures, coma, or brain damage. If the temperature does not go away within a week, or if it is high (higher than the values ​​indicated in the previous section), then it is recommended to consult a doctor. The doctor will measure the temperature at the most suitable place - orally, rectally, in the armpit, or in the ear canal.
   • The child should be seen by the doctor if he has a high fever (above 38.3 ° C) or if the child is irritable or lethargic, if he is vomiting, if he sleeps most of the day, if he does not respond well to external stimuli and / or has completely lost his appetite.
   • Adults should see a doctor at temperatures above 39.4 ° C or if the following symptoms occur: severe headache, swollen throat, severe skin rash, sensitivity to light, stiff neck, confusion, irritability, chest pain, abdominal pain , persistent vomiting, numbness and tingling in the limbs, and / or cramps.
   • If the fever is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to kill the infection.
2. 2 Take paracetamol (acetaminophen). Paracetamol is not only a pain reliever (analgesic), but also a strong antipyretic, which means that it acts on the hypothalamus in the brain, lowering the temperature. In other words, he turns the thermostat knob in the brain to the off position. Paracetamol is generally the best antipyretic and is safe, so it can be given even to young children with high fever (in low doses, of course), as well as to adolescents and adults.
   • In extreme heat, it is recommended to take paracetamol every 4-6 hours. The maximum recommended daily dose of paracetamol for adults is 3,000 mg.
   • If taken for a long time or if the recommended dosage is exceeded, paracetamol can be toxic, which increases the risk of liver damage. Never combine paracetamol with alcohol!
3. 3 Take ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is also a good antipyretic and a good alternative to paracetamol. In fact, some studies show that it reduces fever more effectively than paracetamol in children 2-12 years old.The main disadvantage of ibuprofen is that it is not recommended for children under 2 years of age (especially children under 6 months of age), as there is a risk of serious side effects. Ibuprofen is also a good anti-inflammatory agent (as opposed to paracetamol), which can be helpful if a child has muscle or joint pain.
   • To reduce fever, adults are advised to take 400-600 mg every 6 hours. For children, dosages are usually half as much, but the exact dosage depends on the age and weight of the child and on the state of health, so be sure to check the dosage with your doctor.
   • Long-term use or high doses of ibuprofen can irritate and damage the stomach and kidneys, so it is recommended to take ibuprofen with food. Stomach ulcer and kidney failure are perhaps the most serious side effects of ibuprofen. In addition, ibuprofen should not be taken with alcohol.
4. 4 Be careful with aspirin. Aspirin is a good anti-inflammatory and powerful antipyretic agent and is very effective in reducing fever in adults. However, aspirin is more toxic than paracetamol and ibuprofen, especially for children. That is why aspirin is not recommended for children and adolescents, especially those recovering from a viral illness (for example, after the flu or chickenpox). Aspirin can cause Reye's syndrome, a severe allergic reaction with prolonged vomiting, confusion, risk of liver failure and brain damage.
   • Aspirin irritates the stomach lining and often leads to peptic ulcers. Take aspirin only on a full stomach.
   • The maximum adult dose of aspirin is 4,000 mg per day. If you exceed this dose, you risk getting an upset stomach, ringing in the ears, dizziness and blurred vision may also appear.

Tips

• Fever is a symptom of various diseases, including viral, bacterial and fungal diseases, hormonal imbalances, cardiovascular diseases, and allergic / toxic reactions.
• A short rise in temperature is often associated with fatigue or abnormally hot weather, and not with some kind of illness.
• After vaccinations, the body temperature may rise slightly, this temperature drops on its own, as a rule, the next day.
• Heat damage to the brain is only possible at temperatures above 41.7 ° C.
• With infections, the body temperature in children can rise to 40.5 ° C and higher if it is not controlled or brought down in any way.

Warnings

• Try not to reduce fever with aspirin, especially in children, as aspirin can cause Reye's syndrome.
• See your doctor if a fever lasts more than a week, or if you experience any of the following symptoms in addition to a fever: severe rash, chest pain, recurrent vomiting, red and hot swelling of the skin, stiff neck, sore throat, blurred consciousness.
• Do not use electric blankets or sit near heat sources as this will only raise the temperature.
• Do not eat spicy foods if you have a fever, as spicy foods increase sweating.
• Seek medical attention immediately if your child's temperature rises after being exposed to heat for a long time.