Viral infection may cause a viral infection. Studies say that viruses are tiny germs that can spread easily from one to another person. Being in contact with viral conditions, like flu and cold, the immune system goes into overdrive as it responds. It often increases your body temperature to make it less hospitable to germs and viruses.
The usual body temperature is around 98.6°F. The bit above this temperature is considered a fever. A general physician in Lahore shares that viral infections are not like bacterial infections as they do not respond to antibiotics. It may take time to recover from the infection while having an antibiotic course.
But you can do other things to manage your symptoms.
Let’s learn about how you can manage the symptoms of fever at home.
Drink plenty of fluids
The body becomes warm during the viral fever. Your body begins to sweat to make it cool down. Excess sweating during the viral fever leads to fluid loss. A person becomes dehydrated due to excess sweating. The best way to deal with dehydration is to drink plenty of fluids that can help to replenish lost fluids. You do not need only water to rehydrate yourself but you can have other options too like broths, soups, juice, decaffeinated tea, sports drinks, etc.
Babies and toddlers can benefit from a specially formulated drink with electrolytes like Pedialyte. These drinks are easily available at the store.
Get Rest
A body works really hard to fight off an infection if it is a viral fever. When a person is suffering from a fever, physical activity can make it harder to recover. People should avoid physical tasks and should rest as much as they can. It will help to get complete rest. Make sure that you get to sleep from right to nine hours per night. If you exercise regularly, avoid viral fever. You must need to take rest as it helps to heal fast and improve the recovery process.
OTC
Intake of over-the-counter medicines can also help to manage the symptoms of the fever. Make sure that you get plenty of rest and take your OTC drugs as it will help to reduce the body temperature as well.
But doctors suggest not giving OTC like aspirin to the children. You should take only the prescribed medicine as too much intake can lead to other health complications.
You can also try some other herbal remedies that can manage the symptoms of the fever.
There are no human-related scientific studies that support the herbal medicine effects but many people shared the positive effects of the herbal medicines to ease the symptoms of the fever.
Kudzu root
It is an herb that has been used in Chinese medicine because it contains many beneficial properties like an anti-inflammatory. But if you take tamoxifen, avoid taking the kudzu root. People with hormone sensitive cancer should also avoid the intake of this herb as it can cause other reactions.
Moringa
It is a tropical plant that provides nutritional and medical benefits as it contains minerals, antioxidants, antibacterial agents, vitamins, etc. But more research is required on how the moringa plant works to reduce the symptoms of the fever. Women who are pregnant should avoid its intake. It is not a good option for the people who take cytochrome, etc.
You need to keep your body temperature cool as fever can make your body warmer than usual. Excessive sweating can lead to dehydration that your body does to maintain the temperature of the body.
Overdoing the cooling process can also lead to shivering. But you can follow these tips to stay cool while having a fever.
- Drink room temperature water or cool one if you can
- Eat popsicles
- Try to stay in a room with a fan to keep air circulating
- Sit in a bath of lukewarm water to make you feel cool.
- Always wear light pajamas and clothing to feel easy when you have a fever.
You may experience chills but doctors suggest avoiding the use of extra blankets.
You can check if you have a fever by having a temperature higher than usual. High body temperature can also lead to:
- Chills
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Sweating
Some people also cause seizures. These are also known as febrile seizures. The symptoms of it also include eye-rolling, convulsions, loss of consciousness, twitching, stiffness in the arms and legs, etc.
People with febrile seizures can also experience eye-rolling, convulsions, loss of consciousness, twitching, etc.
Having fever with seizure, sensitivity to light, rash, and dehydration shows that you may have a serious infection like meningitis.
Final thought
Infection and inflammation can lead to fever but you can soothe the fever at home with some simple yet effective home remedies. You can take OTC medicines to maintain the body temperature and avoid doing physical activities.