Fever Home Remedies

Even when you’re well, your body temperature varies, and that variation is normal. In the morning, your temperature is generally a little lower, and in the afternoon it’s somewhat higher. The average healthy body temperature is around 98.6 F (37 C). Temperatures under 100.4 F (38 C) are still considered normal. If they are 100.4 F or higher, it’s often considered a fever.

Fever signals that something out of the ordinary is going on inside your body. It’s not necessarily an illness, but it may be a sign of one. Fever may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as sweating, shivering, headache, muscle ache, and weakness. Most likely, when you have a fever, you’re fighting a bacterial or viral infection. Rarely, it’s the sign of a reaction — either to a medicine or to an inflammatory condition. Sometimes, it’s difficult to identify the cause of fever.

Don’t automatically try to lower your temperature if you have a fever. Over-the-counter medications may help, but sometimes it’s better to leave it untreated. Fever seems to play a role in helping your body fight off infections. And lowering your temperature may mask other symptoms, making it harder to identify the cause. Usually fever goes away within a few days.

Fever in children

Signs of fever in small children include irritability, disinterest and inability to feed or sleep well. Children under age 6 may have a sudden change in temperature accompanied by a seizure (febrile seizure). Although alarming, the seizure typically lasts less than five minutes and has no lasting effects. If a seizure happens, lay your child on his or her side. Don’t put anything in the mouth or try to stop the convulsions. Call 911 or emergency medical help if it’s the first febrile seizure or it lasts more than five minutes.

Sometimes a low-grade fever accompanies teething or a recent immunization. Fever with ear pulling may indicate a middle ear infection. If you’re concerned, don’t hesitate to call your doctor.

If medication is needed, it’s usually provided in liquid form. For a small child, use a syringe (without a needle) to gently squirt the medicine in the back corners of the child’s mouth.

Here are steps you can take to make yourself or your child more comfortable during a fever:

Drink plenty of fluids

Fever can cause fluid loss and dehydration. Drink water, juices or rehydration drinks such as Gatorade or Pedialyte (for infants). A child may want to suck on frozen fruit pops. Pedialyte ice pops also are available.

Rest

Rest is necessary for recovery. By contrast, physical activity can raise your body temperature and, if moderately intense, sap some of your energy.

Take medication

Take acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) according to label instructions or as recommended by your doctor. Don't use these medications at the same time or alternate doses unless your are instructed to do so by your doctor. Avoid taking too much medication. High doses or long-term use of acetaminophen may cause liver or kidney damage, and acute overdoses can be fatal. For temperatures below 102 F (38.9 C), don't use fever-lowering drugs, unless advised by your doctor. Sometimes a low-grade fever helps the body eliminate a virus, such as cold. If you're not able to get your child's fever down, don't continue to give more medication. Call your doctor instead.

Soak in lukewarm water

Especially for fevers with high temperatures, a lukewarm five to 10-minute soak in the bathtub can be cooling. Giving a sponge bath to a small child has the same effect. If the sponge bath cause shivering, stop the bathing and dry your child. Shivering raises the body's internal temperature -- shaking muscles generate heat. Call your doctor in the following situations, especially if accompanied by a cough that produces phlegm, side pain, reddened skin, painful urination, or diarrhea:

• Temperature of more than 104 F (40 C)
• Temperature of more than 102 F (38.9 C) for 48 hours or more
• Fever over 100.4 F (38 C) for more than three days or one that returns after it was gone for 24 hours
• Older adult or anyone with lowered immunity who has a fever over 101 F (38.3 C)

A fever is only one sign of illness. Inform your doctor of any contagious diseases that people around you have had, including flu, colds, measles and mumps. Call 911 or emergency medical help immediately if any of these occur in addition to fever:

• Severe headache or unusual eye sensitivity to bright light
• Severe swelling of the throat
• Significant stiff neck and pain when the head is bent forward
• Persistent vomiting or difficulty breathing
• Mental confusion or extreme listlessness or irritability

Call 911 or emergency medical help if your baby has a fever along with a bulging soft spot on the head. Call your doctor immediately if your baby is 3 months old or younger with a rectal temperature of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher.