The body’s natural response to inflammation is fever. According to the definition, it is an elevation in body temperature exceeding usual daily oscillations (body temperature may fluctuate slightly during the day).
A fever is defined as a body temperature of 38°C or above. We also identify low-grade fever, which occurs when the body temperature is 37-38°C, moderate fever, which occurs when the body temperature is 38-39°C, and high fever, which occurs when the body temperature exceeds 39°C.
Causes of fever
Fever can arise as a result of viral or non-infectious disorders, such as medication fever (for example, following vaccines) or autoimmune (inflammatory) and cancer diseases. However, it is more commonly a sign of infections such as colds, flu, pneumonia, or urinary tract infections.
Normal body temperature
The normal body temperature is 36.6°C, but it can fluctuate due to physical activity, menstrual cycle, and time of day. A child’s normal body temperature is 36.4-37°C, but if it is checked by rectal measurement, subtract half a degree (5 lines) to get the correct result.
At the same time, an increase in temperature in youngsters due to exercise or emotions does not usually indicate an infection. Then wait a while and measure again.
How soon should you treat a fever? What medications should you use?
A mild fever might be beneficial to the body. It increases the activity of immune cells, which travel to the site of inflammation and aid in the elimination of the pathogenic agent.
In the case of moderate fever, we do not need to deliver an antipyretic medicine if the patient feels good despite the elevated temperature (no chills, not extremely weak). It’s worthwhile to let her do her job. In the case of a high fever, we should absolutely lower the temperature, because a rise in body temperature above 41 ° C poses a risk of protein damage.
Effective and recommended drugs in lowering fever are:
- paracetamol ,
- medicines from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen or acetylsalicylic acid).
Body weight is a factor in determining the dosage of paracetamol for fever. An adult should take 500-1000 mg of paracetamol 3-4 times a day. The maximum daily dose is 4 g. (8 tablets of 500 mg per day).
Ibuprofen for fever is also given in weight-based doses. It is advised that individuals take 200-400 mg every 4 hours. The drug’s maximum daily dose is 1200 mg.
Children should be given an antipyretic if even a mild fever makes them feel ill. Be especially cautious with the younger patients, since they are more vulnerable to the negative consequences of high temperatures (such as febrile convulsions ). Wait no longer than necessary before lowering the higher temperature.
Home remedies for fever
Fever can be effectively treated using home treatments. They frequently supplement pharmacological action and are indispensable when pharmaceuticals have not yet begun to operate and a rapid drop in body temperature is required. The following are the finest natural fever remedies:
- compresses (on the forehead, nape, neck, groin) with a towel soaked in cool water at room temperature, they should be repeated every 1-2 hours,
- bathing in water 1°C lower than body temperature,
- lowering the temperature in the room to 20°C,
- giving plenty of fluids , e.g. herbal teas with diaphoretic and antipyretic properties.
Linden or elderflower tea, raspberry juice, honey, yarrow herb, and willow bark preparations have a diaphoretic effect, cooling the body naturally through sweating.
What to eat during a fever?
The body requires energy to fight the sickness during a fever, so it should not be wasted on digestion. If the patient has an appetite, it is best to feed him short, easily digestible meals, such as oats, vegetable soups, and rice.
Fever in children and dehydration
The most important idea is to monitor a child’s fever quickly and administer an antipyretic drug if necessary to prevent dehydration.
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- nfrequent urination,
- dark circles under the eyes,
- irritability or drowsiness
- reduced skin elasticity,
- increased thirst or, on the contrary, lack of thirst and appetite.