As cold and flu season is now in full swing, it’s important to discuss FEVER. I find many patients are afraid of fever, and that is just not necessary. Here’s some general information and guidelines to help you should develop one this season:
Many people are unaware that a fever is a protective mechanism of the body to fight infection and increase immune system function. Bacteria and viruses cannot replicate when temperature is elevated and cells of the immune system are activated by higher temperatures. Mild fever is associated with better prognosis in viral and bacterial infections(1).
Although many patients may want to take a medication used to reduce fever, this is not always the necessary. In fact, medications such as Tylenol/acetaminophen or Aleve/ibuprofen and other NSAIDs have been proven to prolong viral illness and enhance its ability to be spread to others. These drugs also show no benefit in reducing the length of viral illness(2). Use of these medications should be limited, and you can always contact your doctor to see if that is necessary for your particular situation.
So, what should you do if you have a fever? The answer is to FAST. The old saying “Feed a fever and starve a cold” is actually incorrect. The body produces chemicals called interleukins that stop digestion during a fever. Feeding solid foods will only drive the fever higher because the foods cannot digest properly. The old saying is actually: “If you feed the cold, then you will have to starve the fever”. Of course, you should consult your physician if you are pregnant or have diabetes before fasting. Children who are breastfeeding should continue to breastfeed, as mother’s milk will adjust to contain more immune boosting antibodies to protect baby from the infection.
During a fever, you can sometimes become uncomfortable. This is where homeopathy and hydrotherapy truly shine as treatments which do not suppress the fever, but help support the body’s mechanisms to create that fever and fight the infection faster.
You may take one of the homeopathic medications below, along with other medicines prescribed by your doctor. All may be purchased at 6C or 30C potency:
- Belladonna: 5 pellets every hour with high fevers. This is often called “homeopathic Tylenol”.
- Aconite: For fever accompanied by chills.
- Gelsemium: For fever with heavy eyelids and headache described as a band around the head.
Other supportive treatment including REST and FLUIDS. Dehydration is the biggest concern with a fever, and can be easily prevented by drinking plenty of fresh water and herbal teas, Rest will allow the body to focus its energy on fighting the infection and getting you back to normal more quickly. The body also requires 13% more oxygen when fevered(3), so try to get fresh air whenever possible.
Hydrotherapy for mild fevers can be as simple as a warming socks treatment. Take a warm bath or shower and place cotton socks wrung out in cool tap water on the feet. Then cover with thick, wool socks (>60% wool) and go to bed. This acts as a simple heating compress, helping to exercise and pump the circulation containing antibodies and white blood cells to help fight the infection.
If the fever is higher than about 99.5°F, a wet t-shirt should be used instead, to cover more surface area over the abdominal organs. Wring out a thin cotton shirt in cool tap water, put it on, and cover yourself with a thick wool sweater or blanket. Wrap up nice and tight, and keep it on until it’s warmed, about 20 minutes or so.
For fevers >102°F, there is additional treatment that can be done. Call your naturopathic physician to discuss and rule out serious bacterial infections such as meningitis, pneumonia and others. And remember, these are general guidelines. If the fever persists despite treatment or is in an infant <1 year of age, call your doctor.
- Kluger, Matthew J, The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, 1986 (89-95), Is Fever Beneficial?
- Greisman, LA, Current Opinion Infectious Disease, 2002, (241-5), Fever: Beneficial and Detrimental Effect of Antipyretics
- Henker R, Kramer D. Rogers S. AACN Clin Issues. 1997;3:351-367. Fever