A fever is not a disease, but a healthy coping mechanism the body uses to combat infection. For instance, viruses cannot multiply at temperatures between 100°F and 102°F (38-39°C). Anything over 100°F is considered a fever, but temperatures below 100 °F are not normally serious. If fevers are allowed to get too high, they can cause seizures or delirium which can affect the brain. Signs of these are quite obvious, with dullness and apathy, loss of consciousness or an upward turning of the eyes. High fevers must be reduced immediately but slowly, since a fast reduction in temperature can be very hard on the heart and circulatory system.
Most children and infants get high fevers quickly as a healthy reaction to infections. Associated symptoms caused by fevers are red cheeks, hot skin, glassy eyes, a quicker pulse and faster breathing. Fever can result in dehydration if care is not taken to drink more than the usual amount of liquids.
Fevers are normally a reaction to the invasion of infectious agents, including bacteria, toxins, parasites and other microbes. Sudden fevers indicate the development of a flu, cold or other infection. Fevers also signal an inflammation in the body, as in appendicitis, Crohn's disease, colitis or rheumatic arthritis. Heatstroke from excessive exposure to the sun can cause a high fever and should be treated professionally. Low and recurring fevers sometimes indicate chronic infections, inflammations or cancers, like leukemia. If a fever continues or recurs repeatedly, have a professional diagnose the source of the problem.
A liquid diet of fresh fruit and vegetable juices is best during a fever to help the body eliminate toxins, while providing essential nutrients. Red currant juice is a particularly refreshing therapeutic drink for fever. It is high in potassium, which aids elimination, and contains vitamin C and the minerals needed by the body for revitalization. Carrot, apple and orange juices, and lemon juice with honey in water provide vitamin C as well as other vitamins.
Fever should be treated with small, frequent amounts of vitamin C taken to bowel tolerance, which helps the body fight infection. Bioflavonoids should be taken with the vitamin C, as they improve the absorption and help to combat inflammation. Vitamins A and E should be supplemented for additional immune system support. Vitamins A, C and E are also antioxidants, which help combat free-radical damage. (For more information on nutrients and recovery, see Convalescence.)
Daily dosages:
Most Important
Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg to bowel tolerance
Vitamin A, 25,000 IU
(avoid during pregnancy)
Helpful
Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400 IU
Herbal remedies assist the body in eliminating the infection causing a fever, by promoting sweating and stimulating immunity.
To help fight an infection, take 20 drops of echinacea in 1 cup of herbal tea, three times daily for two days.
Drink 1 cup of sage or horsetail tea daily to eliminate waste products. Boil 3 heaping tbsp. of sage leaves in 1 qt. of water for three minutes; strain and sip throughout the day. Continue this tea during convalescence to make sure all traces of the infection have been eliminated. Gargle regularly with sage tea.
Fast on lindenflower tea with fresh lemon juice, thyme tea with honey, rose hip tea, borage, red beet or plantain juice to eliminate toxins.
Drink sweat-promoting teas of elderflowers, birch, violet, pansy, meadowsweet and poplar bark.
Camomile tea helps to relax an uncomfortable and restless patient.
Dandelion is especially good for typhoid fever. Take 1 tbsp. of dandelion juice three times daily.
Horseradish has a strong antibiotic quality and reduces fever. Take 1 tbsp. of horseradish distillate three times daily.
If feeling cold, especially in the hands and feet, take 1/2 cup of ginger tea, three times daily.
Homeopathy can bring a fever down quickly and gently, by aiding the body's abilities to fight off infection, not merely by eliminating the fever. Use the 30c strength, repeating every hour or two for three doses or until the fever comes down. One dose is equivalent to 2 tablets, which should be dissolved under the tongue. For infants and young children, the tablets can be dissolved in a little water. Each dose is a plastic teaspoonful. Metal spoons affect the remedy. If the fever is related to a cold, ear infection or any other infection, see those conditions for additional suggestions.
In cases of high fever with red cheeks and glassy eyes, and accompanied by mental dullness or even delirium, use Belladonna. It is particularly useful when the fever has begun suddenly, associated with an infection.
Aconite is also appropriate for a high fever that begins quickly, but the person is more alert than as for Belladonna, and even appears anxious or fearful. In this case, the fever is typically worse at night.
Ferrum phosphoricum is helpful in all types of fevers that have begun slowly, and helps high fevers that do not have the characterizing symptoms of Belladonna or Aconite. The person does not appear to be very ill, despite being so.
In cases of high fevers, take 4 tablets every fifteen minutes under the tongue, then every two hours or three times daily, as needed until the fever subsides.
Ferr phos is the most useful tissue salt in the beginning stage of fevers.
Kali sulph should be used in alternation, to promote perspiration when the skin is hot and dry, or if the fever has a tendency to recur in the evening.
Kali phos is another tissue salt that can be used alternately with Ferr phos if the person is anxious, nervous or easily excitable.
To bring down a fever, dip cotton towels in diluted apple cider vinegar (1 cup of vinegar to 2 cups of water) or cold water, wring out, then wrap closely around calves. Wrap another dry towel snugly over wet towel. Cover patient and keep warm in bed in a well-ventilated room. Make sure the water is cool but not too cold, otherwise it might bring the fever down too quickly.
A feverish patient should not eat protein or anything that is difficult to digest, but rather fast with juice, or sip a bowl of hot chicken broth.
To reduce fever, sponge whole body with warm water.
Apply a hot compress to the chest or buttocks. Swaddle patient to induce perspiration. If the patient gets too hot, apply cold compresses to the calves and the patient will soon feel more comfortable.
For a fever with congestion and a burning feeling in the head, apply a fresh onion compress to the soles of the feet.
Reflexology
Work the reflex of the pituitary gland every two hours, as illustrated.
When children have a fever, never give them remedies that contain salicylic acid, as it significantly increases the risk of developing Reye's syndrome. This is a life-threatening condition that occurs following a flu or other infection in children between the ages of four and fifteen. Warning signs are excessive vomiting, drowsiness and confusion.
Nutritional Supplements
Ascorbate/Non-acidic Vitamin C (Ester-C)
Herbal Remedies
Horsetail Leaves (Flora)
Medicinal Tea: Flugrip (Flora)
Dandelion Root Extract (Natural Factors)
Echinacea Fresh Juice Extract (Natural Factors)
Echinacea Tincture (Natural Factors)
Dandelion Root (Nature's Herbs)
Echinacea Angustifolia Extract (Nature's Herbs)
Elderberry Flowers & Berries (Nature's Herbs)
Ginger-Peppermint Combination (Nature's Herbs)
Homeopathy
Aconite (Nelsons Homeopathy)
Belladonna (Nelsons Homeopathy)
Ferr Phos (Nelsons Homeopathy)
Phosphorus (Nelsons Homeopathy)
External Therapies
Basil Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Camomile Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Eucalyptus Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Juniper Berry Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Lavender Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Rosemary Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Tea Tree Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)