How to lower a fever fast? You can adopt some of these home measures at first, but if these do not work, it is best to go to the doctor.
Lowering the fever is an important measure to take to avoid further health complications. Fever is an increase in body temperature, which should always be, on average, somewhat less than 37 ° C. A variation of up to one degree during the day is normal, without this being synonymous with illness.
Aspects such as diet, exercise or climate, among others, are among the reasons why the temperature increases. However, when it rises and exceeds 38.5 ° C it is considered that there is a fever.
What is a fever?
Fever is an indication that the body is reacting positively to a possible illness. But be careful: in babies, especially if they are lactating, 38 ° C is a very high temperature. In that case it is necessary to lower it and hospitalization or at least a pediatric consultation may be required.
Fever is almost always associated with other symptoms:
- Persistent headache and surrounding the entire skull, sometimes as a tightness.
- Chills and sweating.
- Prickling muscle pain.
- Dehydration with dry skin, decreased tears and retention of urine.
- Loss of appetite.
- General weakness.
In children, between the ages of 6 months and 5 years, febrile seizures may occur. In these cases, it is advisable to lie down the patient, protect her so that she does not injure herself and, after the episode, contact a doctor.
Causes
The part of the body responsible for regulating temperature is housed in our brain and is called the hypothalamus. It works like a thermostat, but for different reasons it can increase the reference limit. This is when the increase in retained heat occurs.
Fever as such can be caused by infectious agents, such as viruses and bacteria. Also due to inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, tumors or medications that include the symptom among their adverse effects. Likewise, all kinds of vaccines cause fever.
How to lower a fever fast?
For mild fever, your doctor will most likely not recommend specific treatment, especially if there are no additional symptoms. In fact, a mild fever is a sign that the body is responding well; even the elevated temperature can be useful to reduce the microorganisms that would be causing the disease.
When the fever generates additional discomfort or is high, it is necessary to lower it, for which the doctor can prescribe over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, among others. The recommended doses must be respected, not exceeded or maintained for long periods of time, as they can cause kidney and liver damage.
If these medications fail to lower the fever, the search for the causes will be key to determining the need for antibiotics, in case there is a bacterial infection, such as tonsillitis or pneumonia. If it’s a virus infection, antibiotics won’t work.
In children, if after the first dose there is no improvement and the fever persists, a doctor should be consulted. You should not give aspirin, as it can lead to Reye’s syndrome, which, although rare, could be fatal.
Other recommendations to lower fever
When it comes to babies, especially if they are less than 28 days old, the most recommended option to lower the fever is hospitalization. Newborn infants are vulnerable to serious illnesses that require intravenous medications and special care.
There are home measures that you can implement to lower fever, as long as it does not arrive with additional discomforts. In case of dehydration you have to consume water, and, better still, a solution such as oral serum; This not only rehydrates, but also has electrolytes, essential components for the proper functioning of the body.
Additionally, rest helps in recovery, as does the use of light clothing, keeping the temperature of the room low and sleeping only with a sheet. It is also advisable to apply warm water compresses to the forehead, armpits, groin or soles of the feet.
Likewise, to reduce fever, full-body baths with warm water and infusions of garlic, basil, rue, ginger, thyme and chamomile, sweetened with a little honey, are useful. You should ingest these types of drinks between two and three times a day.
Data to keep in mind
In general, should consult your doctor when the fever reaches 38 ° C in babies or 39 ° C in adults. All the more so if it is accompanied by headache, vomiting, irritability, abdominal pain, skin rash or if the elevated temperature persists.
You have to act calmly, but diligently to lower the fever. Otherwise, complications such as seizures and loss of consciousness could occur. All this worsens the patient’s condition and even puts her life at risk.
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