I have a medium grade fever that started yesterday and I am writing off to some virus which will be gone (hopefully) very soon. In the meantime, what is the best course of action to nurse the fever state?
I remember when I was young my Japanese grandfather talked about taking a REALLY hot bath and then getting under heated blankets to “sweat it out” On the other end of the spectrum, I’ve seen films where people are put into a bathtub full of ice (!).
Also- I tend to take “fever buster” pain killers like Tylenol as a LASY resort when I feel I am just too darn uncomfortable. My reasoning is that you NEED the fever (is that a myth?) and giving yourself the break of a pill is only for your personal comfort.
I just took a steaming hot shower to relieve my “chills” was that dumb?
First of all, I’m not a doctor, just a Mom. If your fever seems unusually high, or if you have any doubts about the proper course of action, do seek professional medical advice, not ideas from random strangers on a message board.
A very high fever can lead to delerium and brain damage. It’s when fevers get really high, or in the case of very young children, that the tub o’ ice remedy is resorted to, AFAIK.
A fever can be a symptom of an infection somewhere that you don’t know about. A member of my family was recently running a fever for several days, and it turned out to be due to an infected insect bite. I know another person whose low-grade fever was ultimately found to be due to a festering appendix.
Some viruses don’t do well in high temperatures, and letting a *mild * fever alone for a day or so probably won’t do you any harm and may even help kill off a few baddies.
It depends what you mean by “moderate,” though.
When I have a low-to-moderate fever, I usually feel chilly, and I bundle up & keep warm. Often, after a while, I start to feel really warm, and the fever seems to “break.” IMHO you are correct about the use of fever reducers. A lot depends on the individual, though, and of course I have no knowledge of your personal condition.
Please do not construe this as professional medical advice, which I am not qualified to provide.