Fever

Fever (Pyrexia)

What is fever?
What are symptoms and signs of fever?
What to eat in fever?
What not to eat in fever?
What are the key medicines in fever?

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What is Fever

Fever (pyrexia) is a higher than normal body temperature. Normally, a person is said to be running fever when the body temperature becomes above the normal 98.6o F (37o C). However, medically, a person is considered to have a significant fever only when the temperature rises above 100.4 F (38.0o C).

  • Fever is the consequence of an immune response by your body to a foreign invader. Foreign invaders are in form of viruses, fungi, bacteria, drugs or some other toxins. Thus, fever serves as one of the body’s natural defences against bacteria and viruses that cannot live at higher temperatures. For that reason, low-grade fevers should normally require no treatment, unless accompanied by troubling symptoms or signs.
  • Temperature in a human body is controlled by a part of the brain known as hypothalamus. It is like a thermostat for the body which maintains the normal temperature through heating mechanisms such as shivering and increases metabolism and cooling mechanisms like sweating and dilating blood vessels close to the skin.
  • Usually, fever is beneficial and causes no problems. It helps the body to fight against infections. The main reason to treat a fever is to increase comfort. However, children under 3 months of age with a temperature of 100.4 F (38o C) or greater should be taken to a competent professional.
  • The prognosis for a fever depends on the cause. Most cases of fever are self-limited and resolve with treatment of symptoms.
  • As most of the fevers are caused by infection, avoiding sources of infection and maintaining good hygiene practices are the best way to prevent a fever. The spread of infection may be prevented by keeping proper hygiene, washing hands frequently and avoiding contact with sick persons.

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Signs and symptoms of a fever

A fever causes a person to feel very uncomfortable. Some signs and symptoms of fever are as follows:

  • Temperature greater than 100.4o F (38o C)
  • Shivering, shaking, and chills
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Aching muscles, joints or other body parts
  • Headache
  • Sweating
  • Hot skin
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness

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What to eat during Fever?

Your body burns more calories during a fever. So, it becomes essential to take enough nutrient-dense foods to provide the energy your immune system needs to help you recover quickly. Sometimes during a fever, one does not feel like eating anything. However, to avoid weakness, one must try to take some food which should be nutritious.

  • The best way to combat a fever is to consume plenty of fluids. Apart from a lot of drinking water, hot tea, fruit juices, vegetable broth and thin soups should be taken.
  • Fruits like oranges, strawberries, watermelon, pineapple, kiwi that are rich in vitamin C. This can enhance the natural immunity of the body to fight the diseases. Pick fresh fruit instead of sweetened fruit as fruit juices usually have added sugar and high intake of sugar may impede your immune system.
  • A soft diet which can comprise steamed vegetables, porridge, boiled eggs and yoghurt. These foods are easy to digest and supply the body enough energy to hasten the recovery process.
  • Indian foods like chappati, khichdi or dalia are usually very helpful during fever.Instead of taking something spicy or salty, prefer easy to digest boiled rice, boiled potatoes or porridge.

Thus, the following list may be followed for eating during the fever:

  • Chapatti (Roti)
  • Boiled rice
  • Soup
  • Khichdi
  • Dalia
  • Apple
  • Boiled potatoes
  • Fruit juices
  • Tulsi tea
  • Egg
  • Boiled milk
  • Poha
  • Curd rice
  • Oats

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What not to eat during Fever?

  • The foods to be avoided when one is suffering from fever arefried foods, raw foods and junk foods. The reason why these foods should be avoided when one is suffering from is because they are difficult to digest. They exert an excessive strain on the gastro-intestinal system and it takes longer to cure the patient.
  • Beverages like soda, carbonated soft drinks, coffee and tea should be avoided.


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Homoeopathic Medicines for simple Fever

1. Aconite For early stages; Fever from dry, cold wind; due to fear; intense thirst or restlessness
2. Ars.  Alb. In advance stage; Extreme weakness; anxiety and restlessness
3. Rhus Tox Pain all over the body; due to exposure to damp, rainy weather; from getting wet after being over-heated or while perspiring
4. Belladona Tendency to congestion of brain; flushed face; frontal headache; great dryness
5. Ipecac If nausea is present

 

Biochemic Medicines for simple Fever

For general use, bi-complex no. 11 is also very effective which is a combination of the following medicines:

FP, KM, KS, NS and NM