We
all know what’s it’s like to have a fever.
You feel tired, achy, and just don’t want to move. A fever is simply a temperature that’s higher
than normal, but when you have one, it doesn’t seem so simple.
When
you get a fever, it usually doesn’t come alone.
It can be accompanied by head and muscle aches, chills, lack of interest
in food, nausea, vomiting, digestive issues, and a host of other problems. That’s because fever often isn’t the problem;
it’s usually just one symptom of a bigger problem, and the other symptoms will
depend on what that cause is. A
sustained fever is generally the sign of an infection, but can also be caused
by sun exposure, allergic reaction, hot weather, or as a reaction to an
immunization.
Fever
is the body’s natural way to get rid of problems. That’s why the normal treatment is to simply
wait it out. While this is a good idea
in theory, in actuality it can be painful and uncomfortable. However, there are some things you can do to
lower your fever and make yourself more comfortable.
You
should monitor someone with a fever closely and regularly take their
temperature to make sure their fever isn’t getting worse.
Be
sure to keep them hydrated. While they
may not want to drink anything due to an upset stomach, keeping fluids in the
body will help the body work better and more efficiently regulate temperature
so the person will get better faster.
You should take extra care to replace fluids if the person is experiencing
vomiting or diarrhea. If they can’t
drink water, try flattened soda like 7up or Sprite.
To
help reduce fever and decrease some of the aches and pains associated with it,
take acetaminophen. Never give anyone
with a fever aspirin, especially kids.
When
someone has a fever, they probably want to be wrapped in blankets to help
prevent chills. The problem with this is
that the blanket keeps the heat from escaping and traps it close to the
body. This will not only prevent the
fever from going down, it may actually raise body temperature. Do your best to keep them comfortable while
allowing their body to cool. You can
keep them in a cool room with light clothing, or give them a bath or sponge
bath in lukewarm water.
While
most fevers can be treated at home, there are cases where you may need medical
help. You should see a doctor if your
fever is very high (over 104 degrees), or is sustained for several days. You should also see a doctor if you have
additional symptoms including:
confusion, rash, painful urination, convulsions, stiff neck, trouble
breathing, or severe vomiting or diarrhea.
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