Description A fever is an elevation in body temperature and is a normal physiological response by the body to destroy microorganisms and eliminate toxins. Normal body temperature hovers around 37ºC. A fever occurs with a temperature of 37.8ºC or above (oral temperature). Although it may cause mild discomfort, it is usually best to let it run its course as it is part of your body's defense mechanisms. For example, viruses cannot multiply at temperatures of 38ºC to 39ºC. There is also some evidence that suggests some of your body's other defense mechanisms are enhanced at slightly elevated body temperatures. The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that regulates body temperature. It is similar to a thermostat and it is set at 37ºC. Bacteria, viruses, and other infectious agents cause the release of substances called endogenous pyrogens by certain cells in your body. These endogenous pyrogens cause the hypothalamus to "reset" your body temperature to a higher level. Once this occurs, certain processes begin to occur in the body to raise and maintain your temperature at this new level. Blood is shunted away from your extremities to your core. Shivering creates heat from the rapid contraction and relaxation of your muscles. Your body's heat conserving mechanisms are also put in place. This carries on until the infection is overcome by the body's defenses and eliminated. The hypothalamus then "resets the thermostat" back to normal temperature. Your body eliminates the extra heat through sweating and blood redistribution.
Symptoms and Signs:The signs and symptoms of a fever include a body temperature of 37.8ºC or above (oral temperature), hot skin, red cheeks, glassy eyes, increased pulse rate and respiratory rate, irritability, and restlessness. Sweating and chills are also sometimes experienced.
Causes: Several ailments can cause a fever. The most common cause is an infection. Other causes include inflammation, cancer, immune disorders, etc.
What to Expect: A fever can pose a problem for people with cardiac or respiratory conditions due to the increased demand for oxygen that fevers cause and the increase in heart rate and respiratory rate that often accompany a fever. If you suffer from these conditions and you come down with a fever, see your naturopath or other health practitioner. A high fever in the first trimester of pregnancy can lead to birth defects. Some children may experience febrile seizures that can last up to five minutes. There is a higher risk of these seizures if the temperature reaches a high lever very quickly. It is also associated more with certain infections. Your child may be sleepy following the seizure. Children usually outgrow them with no increased risk of having seizures later in life. They can be quite traumatic for the caregiver, but are rarely serious. If you have any concerns, contact your naturopath or other health practitioner. DO NOT give aspirin to a child with a fever. The use of aspirin has been associated with an increased risk of developing Reye's Syndrome, a condition characterized by acute encephalopathy and fatty infiltration of the liver. High temperature must be watched closely. If you experience a temperature above 39ºC, contact your naturopath or other health practitioner. Heatstroke can also cause an increase in temperature. If this is the case, contact your naturopath or other health practitioner. If your fever continues for an undue amount of time or recurs, see you naturopath or other health practitioner. A low-grade, recurrent fever may indicate a chronic infection, inflammation, or cancer.
Remedies As mentioned above, a fever is a natural response by the body to eliminate foreign invaders and/or toxins via heat and sweat. And though it is straining on the care-giver, it is important to let a fever run its course so the body may heal. Suppressing a fever only prolongs the ailment. Supporting it will promote healing. This balance must be carefully observed as excessively high temperatures will require immediate medical attention. It is also important to discover the reason for the fever and deal with the situation at this level.
Herbs Chamomile has an overall calming effect on the body and will help ease restlessness. Enjoy a cup of this yellow-coloured tea one hour before bed. Use 2 to 3 heaping teaspoons of flowers per cup of boiling water. Let steep 5 to 10 minutes. Echinacea can be used to stimulate the immune system and help fight infection. Due to its specific immune system stimulating properties, do not use echinacea over the long term. This will only confuse your immune system into action and thus weaken its ability to fight an actual infection. If using a tincture, take 20 to 40 drops in a glass of water three times daily. If using a supplement, take 300mg powdered extract three times daily. If preparing a tea/decoction, bring 2 teaspoons echinacea root and 1 cup of water to a boil. Simmer 15 minutes. Drink up to 3 cups a day. The taste may be initially sweet, then bitter. Do not give to children under 2 years of age. Older children and those over 65 should start with a low strength preparation and increase as required. Horsetail tea helps eliminate toxins. Add one teaspoon of herb to 1 cup hot water and drink one cup daily. Sage tea also helps to eliminate toxins. You can drink this instead of horsetail. Use one teaspoon herb to one cup water and infuse 10 minutes. Drink one cup per day. Yarrow is the best herb to bring down a fever. It helps bring blood back to the extremities after being shunted to increase your core temperature. It also inhibits the growth of bacteria and viruses. Add one or two teaspoons to one cup boiling water. Drink twice daily. Hyssop, Peppermint, Spearmint, and Willow may also prove helpful. Consult with your herbalist, naturopath, or other health practitioner to determine the appropriateness of these herbs for your needs.
Homeopathy Certain remedies can be used in acute situations if your symptoms fit the symptom picture of the remedy. For dosages, see the dedicated section on Homeopathy. Consult your homeopath or naturopath to determine your constitutional remedy: the remedy that best fits you as a whole person. Your homeopath or naturopath will take a complete case history considering all of your mental and physical ailments and match these symptoms with the symptom picture of the remedy. Aconite: Fever comes suddenly after the person was exposed to cold temperatures. Person is restless, chilly, and thirsty for cold drinks. The face is red, the hands are hot, and the feet are cold. Apis: "Fever of Apis" occurs suddenly with alternating chill, thirst, and warmth. The pharynx is red and the uvula (the fleshy, cone-shaped projection hanging from the top of the mouth above the back of the tongue) is swollen. Symptoms are worse with heat and better with open air, cool bath, and cold food or drink. Belladonna: Fever starts suddenly, temperature is usually very high, and there is no perspiration or thirst. Face is flushed and hot, pupils are dilated, feet and hands are cold, and there may be hallucinations that come with fever. The fever of Belladonna does not last long. Bryonia: Fever develops gradually and may last for several days. Person is irritable and wishes to be left alone. There is internal chill with external coldness. This fever is usually accompanied by a dry, painful cough. Symptoms made better with large quantities of cold water. Gelsemium: Fever develops gradually and is accompanied by general weakness. Person is shivering, alternates between heat and sweat, has violent headaches, and has a chill travelling down the spine. Nux Vomica: High fever and violent chill. Person must be completely covered. No perspiration and fingernails are blue. Symptoms made worse from the slightest draft of cold air. Pulsatilla: Fever accompanied by chills during the day and burning heat at night. Person weeps easily and, though chilled, seeks open air.
Lifestyle Get plenty of rest. Allow your body to fight the infection without having to deal with being overworked. Drink plenty of fluids. This will ensure that you do not become dehydrated due to your elevated body temperature. It will also help to flush out toxins. There are several juices you could drink for this purpose as well as providing nutrition. These include red currant, carrot, apple, orange, and plantain juices. Fruit juices are also a source of vitamin C Avoid solid food until the fever breaks. Also avoid consuming iron and zinc while an infection is present. Your body tries to hide iron because microorganisms feed on it. Zinc is not properly absorbed during a fever. As a preventative, wash your hands to remove bacteria and viruses. You come into contact with countless, germ-laden objects every day: door knobs, elevator buttons, counter-tops, water faucets, shaking hands, and more. Germs enter your body through a variety of pathways including nose and mouth, cuts and scrapes, and ears, eyes, and skin. The skin under your fingernails, in particular, has a number of blood vessels close to the surface of the skin. This makes it easy for germs to invade the bloodstream. Removing these germs from your body will help prevent infection.
Vitamins Vitamin A enhances immune function. Take 25,000 IU daily. Vitamin C has antibacterial properties and is useful to fight infections. Take 1,000 to 3,000mg daily in divided doses. Start at the lower dosage and increase up to bowel tolerance. Vitamin E supports proper immune system function. Take 400 IU daily.
Actions and Remedy Listings
See also Common Cold, Influenza, Sore Throat
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