Fever
Definition:
A fever is a temporary increase in your body temperature, often due to an illness. Having a fever is a sign that something out of the ordinary is going on in your body.
For an adult, a fever may be uncomfortable, but usually isn’t a cause for concern unless it reaches 103 F (39.4 C) or higher. For infants and toddlers, a slightly elevated temperature may indicate a serious infection.
Fevers generally go away within a few days. A number of over-the-counter medications lower a fever, but sometimes it’s better left untreated. Fever seems to play a key role in helping your body fight off a number of infections.
Signs & Symptoms:
A symptom is something the patient reports and feels, while a sign is something other people, including a doctor may detect. For example, a headache may be a symptom while a rash may be a sign.
When somebody has a fever, signs and symptoms are linked to what is known as sickness behavior, and may include:
Feeling cold when nobody else does
Shivering
Anorexia – lack of appetite
Dehydration – preventable if the patient drinks plenty of fluids
Depression
Hyperalgesia – the individual is much more sensitive to pain
Lethargy
Problems concentrating
Sleepiness
Sweating
If the fever is high there may also be extreme irritability, confusion, delirium and convulsions.
Cause:
Fever or elevated body temperature might be caused by:
A virus
A bacterial infection
Heat exhaustion
Extreme sunburn
Certain inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis inflammation of the lining of your joints (synovium)
A malignant tumor
Some medications, such as antibiotics and drugs used to treat high blood pressure or seizures
Some immunizations, such as the diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP) or pneumococcal vaccine
Sometimes the cause of a fever can’t be identified. If you have a temperature of 101 F (38.3 C) or higher for more than three weeks and your doctor isn’t able to find the cause after extensive evaluation, the diagnosis may be fever of unknown origin.
How To Cure:
- Cool Water
Soak a wash cloth in cool tap water, wring out the excess water and then sponge areas like your armpits, feet, hands and groin to reduce the temperature.
Also, you can place cold, damp washcloths on your forehead and the back of your neck. The cloth pieces should be changed regularly after a few minutes. This remedy is beneficial when dealing with a high fever as it helps keep temperature under control.
You can also take a bath in lukewarm water to relax your body. Taking a shower, however, may not be a good idea. Plus, needless to say, take as much rest as possible as it helps the body fight the illness.
Note: Do not use very cold water as it may cause the internal body temperature to increase.
- Garlic
The warm nature of garlic can also lower a high fever by promoting sweating. This also helps eliminate harmful toxins from the body and speed up recovery. Plus, garlic is an antifungal and antibacterial agent that helps the body fight infections as well as ward off disease.
Finely mince one garlic clove and add it to one cup of hot water. Steep for 10 minutes, strain and sip it slowly. Drink this twice a day and you will feel much better the next day.
Warm a mixture of two crushed garlic cloves and two tablespoons of olive oil. Apply this mixture over the sole of each foot, leaving a few spots uncovered. Wrap your feet with gauze to keep the garlic in place and leave it on overnight. For some people, this can eliminate a fever in just one night.
Note: Garlic remedies are not recommended for pregnant ladies and small children.
- Raisins
Raisins help the body fight infections and reduce fevers. They are loaded with phenolic phytonutrients, which are known to have antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Also, raisins act as tonic for your body when you have a fever.
Soak 25 raisins in one-half cup of water for one hour, or until the raisins become soft.
Crush the soaked raisins in the water and strain the liquid.
Add the juice of half a lime to this solution.
Have this twice a day until your fever is gone.
