What to do if you have a fever: 10 keys to alleviating symptoms

Fever increases the body temperature due to an infection process. By itself it is not bad nor is it a disease as such, but the goal is always to make it disappear due to the discomfort and associated problems it causes.

The body temperature of an adult ranges between 36.1 ° C and 37.2 ° C. If the temperature is higher and there is general discomfort, there is no doubt that there is a fever. In this article there are different keys to alleviate the symptoms and know what to do if you have a fever.

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What to do if you have a fever: 10 keys to alleviating symptoms

If you suspect that there may be a fever, the first thing to do is take the temperature. You can put a thermometer in the armpit or in other parts of the body, and you have to pay attention to the result of the instrument. A temperature higher than 37.2 ° C would already indicate a fever.

When this happens, several symptoms may appear: shortness of breath, abdominal pain, vomiting, painful urination, severe headache, seizures, stiff neck, confusion and diarrhea.

In these cases, you have to go to the doctor to determine if there is an infection and to indicate the treatment. He will tell you what to do if you have a fever. However, there are different keys to alleviating the symptoms that fever generates that are shown below.

1. Wear less clothes

Lightening clothes is a simple and effective remedy to relieve fever symptoms. Sometimes the fever produces a sensation of cold and the first mistake that is committed is to cover more. However, it is best to lighten your clothes and freshen up.

Covering up excessively contributes to increasing body temperature. At the moment when the body has a fever, what it requires is the opposite: to reduce the heat in the body. It is better to wear very light clothing to help the body regulate itself.

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2. Cold water

Using cold water to reduce fever is another very effective way to fight it.. Cloths soaked in cold water can be placed on the forehead, stomach, armpits, or groin. It is important to change the cloth whenever it feels warm to the touch.

Another way to use cold water to fight a fever is with a bath. It is advisable to start with warm water and let it cool down. The best thing is that the bath is in a tub and stay there for a long time.

3. Lettuce tea

In an episode of fever you have to stay hydrated. Thus, lettuce tea is of great help. This provides vitamins and minerals so as not to have a decompensation during the time that the fever lasts. Drinking is always something to do if you have a fever.

To drink lettuce tea, you must first boil water. Then put the lettuce and let it rest for a quarter of an hour. You can add a little sugar, but it is recommended to take it with honey.

4. Fenugreek

A fenugreek infusion helps restore body temperature. Fenugreek is widely used in menopausal processes, as it helps reduce hot flashes. And precisely for this reason it is also useful to control fever.

To consume fenugreek you have to boil two tablespoons of the seed in boiling water and let it rest at room temperature. The liquid is then strained and can be taken throughout the day, even if relief has already been felt.

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5. Restrict diet and hydrate enough

Before the fever it is advisable to hydrate and limit the diet a little. The foods that should be ingested during a diet episode should be light and should provide a lot of water to the body. Very high carbohydrate meals are not recommended.

It is best to consume fruits and vegetables as well as good amounts of water to which you can add a little lemon. It may also be a good option to take a serum from those sold in any pharmacy.

6. Essential oils

Essential oils are an effective way to relieve fever symptoms. These types of oils are useful for treating various ailments, and they are very effective in helping to lower the temperature and relieve discomfort.

You can add two drops of lavender essential oil, two drops of peppermint and one drop of lemon essential oil to a pot of boiling water. The liquid is then placed near the person with a fever so that they can breathe in the vapor. When the mixture is warm, you can put your feet in the water.

7. Yarrow

Yarrow is another plant that helps lower fever. Given the discomfort that is perceived when the temperature rises, it is common to wonder what to do if you have a fever. However, there are several infusions that help reduce body temperature.

An infusion of yarrow is ideal to help fight fever and its annoying symptoms. Simply boil water and then mix the yarrow. Then it is allowed to stand at room temperature, strain and drink during the day.

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8. Garlic and coconut oil paste

Garlic and coconut oil paste is a good natural remedy to fight fever. Just a tablespoon of coconut oil and a head of garlic can alleviate fever symptoms. To do this, you have to crush the garlic head a lot and then mix it with the coconut oil.

You should get a somewhat dense paste that does not drain easily. This paste should be placed on the soles of the feet and covered with socks. It is important that the rest of the body remains cool and lightly clothed.

9. Ginger

Ginger helps strengthen the immune system, fighting fever. To help our body in fighting infection and fever, ginger is a great ally. It can be used as an infusion or when taking a warm bath. It can also be purchased as a powder, ideal for smoothies.

For the bathroom the best thing is to have a tub and ginger in the form of oil. If it is not possible to have ginger in oil, with powder or a piece of ginger also works. You have to let it rest and then take a bath.

10. Potato

A raw potato can help lower body temperature. This is a widely used remedy when children have episodes of fever. To use the potato, it should only be cut into slices and placed on the forehead or abdomen.

It works the same as with cold water cloths. Whenever the potato stops feeling fresh, it should be removed and put on another fresh slice. The potato is said to absorb heat and for this reason it helps lower body temperature.

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Bibliographic references

• Craven, R. and Hirnle, C. (2006). Fundamentals of nursing: Human health and function. LWW (Seventh North American Edition) p. 1044.

• Garmel, G.M. and Mahadevan, S.V. (2012). Fever in adults. In: An introduction to clinical emergency medicine (Second edition). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 375.

• Meremikwu, M. and Oyo-Ita, A. (2003). Physical methods for treating fever in children ". Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2), CD004264.