How to Bring Down a Fever

A fever is a spike in the body's normal temperature. Fevers are generally a symptom of an underlying illness, which your body uses as a response to a perceived threat to your health. Some believe that fevers are actually beneficial, and help a sick individual recover faster, though this argument is highly controversial. Ironically, an abnormally high fever is a threat to your health in and of itself, and fevers cause chills, discomfort, pain, and fatigue in the sufferer. If you are currently battling a high temperature, here is how to bring down a fever:

Instructions

1. Stay Hydrated

   Fevers can easily cause dehydration, which can make the situation much more serious. To combat dehydration, drink a lot of fluids throughout the course of the day. Water is usually used, but a better choice would be a sports drink like Gatorade or even Vitamin Water, which helps replace electrolytes lost due to the fever.

2. Take a Cool Bath

   A cool bath can rapidly and drastically reduce a high temperature. Make the water cool, but not ice cold; too cold can result in hypothermia, which is a very life-threatening condition that happens when the body temperature drops below the normal level. Stay in the bath for up to 15 to 20 minutes, then immediately dry off and put on clothes. A cool bath will not continuously keep your temperature low, but can help reduce a dangerously high temperature until medication kicks in.

3. Use a Cold Compress

   Just like a cool bath, a cold compress will help drop your body's internal temperature. Use a cold, damp washcloth, or an icepack wrapped in a cloth if you have one available. The most effective way to use a compress is to drape it around the back of your neck, although you can also run the compress all over your body, focusing on your back, head, forehead, and stomach.

4. Take Fever-Reducing Medication

   Both ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can bring down a fever. Both are available over the counter at any pharmacy. Take 200mg of either medication to start, and continue taking it every 4 to 6 hours throughout the day. It can take up to 30 minutes for the medication to start working. Some doctors suggest rotating between ibuprofen and acetaminophen every 4 hours, though there is little evidence that suggests this method is more effective than taking one of the medications in a similar manner. If you do use both, try acetaminophen first - studies show it's more effective at reducing a fever, sometimes faster than ibuprofen, and possibly brings fever down a few more points.

Tips & Warnings

• Take medication before using any other methods. This will give the medication time to kick in while you are trying to bring down your fever with other methods.

• You've likely heard the saying "feed a fever, starve a cold," or possibly the other way around. Neither saying is true; for both fevers and colds, it is essential to eat normally if you can, or at least get some calories in your system if you don't feel like eating. Your body needs more energy than normal to fight off the infection, and without food, there is no gas to fuel your body. So eat what you can, and it will help you feel better sooner and break the fever quicker.

• If your fever spikes to 104 degrees (102 in toddlers, and 100.3 in infants under a year old) get to a doctor as soon as you can. For infants, once a fever hits 100.3, especially in newborns, head to the nearest emergency room. High fevers that aren't brought down quickly can cause brain damage, severe dehydration, and even death. A doctor will be able to monitor you or your child, bring the fever down, and push an IV of fluids to keep your body hydrated.