12 Ways to Reduce Fever from A Cold or Flu

Cold and flu tend to be common occurrences almost throughout the year, and they happen especially a lot during winters. The most typical symptoms of such a condition tend to be coughing and sneezing, but the one that worries people the most is fever. In some cases, particularly with very high or prolonged fever, there is a risk of complications, such as seizures (especially in young children), dehydration, and other related issues. Hence, bringing down the elevated temperatures to normal is essential.

1. Stay hydrated

If you have a fever, you might lose body fluids, which will cause dehydration. This is why it is crucial to drink a lot of fluids such as water, herbal teas, and clear broths when you have a fever, as they can be immensely effective. There is no doubt that staying hydrated is one of the best home remedies for fever. When you have infections that can induce fever, such as flu, doctors often advise sufficient fluid intake to deal with the problem.

2. Rest and sleep 

This is perhaps the best way to deal with most health ailments, let alone a cold fever. When you are active, your body temperature tends to go up. You need to rest to recover and bring the fever down. Sleep helps boost your immune system as well. If you are an adult with a fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit, all you need to do is rest and drink a lot of fluids. In these cases, adequate rest and medicines help cure your fever quickly.

3. Over-the-counter medicines 

Following is a list of medicines that you can take to bring down your fever:

• acetaminophen
• ibuprofen
• aspirin
• naproxen

Any of them can be the best medicine for fever for you – just make sure you seek medical consultation before and follow the dosage instructions. These medicines help relieve symptoms like body aches, headaches, and general discomfort caused by fever.

4. Cool compress 

You may not know this, but a cool compress could be a great medicine for cold and fever. It works on the principles of heat dissipation and vasoconstriction. The cold compress transfers the heat from the body to the compress, bringing down the temperature in the process. Also, the cold temperature of the compress constricts the blood vessels near the skin surface, reducing the flow of blood in them; this helps to lower the body temperature. However, ensure you are not using extremely cold packs, as that can cause frostbite. Using a barrier, like a thin cloth or towel, is always better to avoid direct contact with the skin. Soak a sponge or your towel in cold water and dab it on your body, such as your forehead, armpits, wrists, back of knees, and neck.

5. Lukewarm bath 

In addition to taking cold fever medicine, try taking a bath in lukewarm water. Doing this will help bring down your body temperature gradually. Many people think it is okay to take a cold bath when you have a fever, but doing so can cause you to shiver and cause discomfort. On the other hand, having a tepid bath will help your body cool off and relax the muscles.

6. Wear lightweight clothing 

When you wear breathable and loose clothes while suffering from a fever, you let the body heat escape. If you want to know how to cure fever at home, this is something that you must know for sure. If you wear a lot of clothes or ones with heavy layers, you also hinder the body’s natural mechanism to regulate temperature. Wearing warm clothing can make you feel worse due to heat retention and be counterproductive.

7. Use a fan 

You can always use a fan in the room to help the air circulation and make the environment comfortable. However, ensure that the room is adequately ventilated as it otherwise will become too cold, which will work against you. When people want to know how to reduce fever at home, it is important to know these tips along with medication to facilitate quick recovery and relief. The cooling from the fan helps in the evaporation of the sweat caused when the fever comes down rapidly after taking medicine.

8. Hygiene practices

If you want to know how to control fever at home, you should know how to prevent the spread of germs in your home, and that can only be done when you adopt proper hygiene practices. This means following some very basic steps, like frequently washing your hands and covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing. Also, ensure you are not sharing anything you touch with others.

9. Herbal remedies

As far as home remedies for fever go, they surely do not get much better than this. The likes of ginger tea, elderberry syrup, and echinacea are known for how well they can boost your immune system, as can honey, Moringa, and Kudzu root. However, if you have any pre-existing disease, it is always good to consult a doctor before taking an herbal remedy for your fever to avoid any side effects.

10. Cold packs on pulse points

You can always place cold packs on your pulse points, such as ankles and wrists, to help bring your body temperature down. You can also apply these around your sinuses when they are congested. However, make sure that you do not go overboard with this. You will get reusable cold packs at medical stores easily.

11. Avoid alcohol and caffeine

When you have a fever, you should reduce your caffeine intake, and you should also stay away from smoking and alcohol at this time. This is because these are diuretics that cause frequent urination, resulting in dehydration. Additionally, these substances interfere with your sleep and, in some cases, might negatively interact with your medication. Consumption of alcohol puts stress on the liver, which might be anyways working overtime to process the medicines you are taking for cold and flu.

12. Monitor symptoms

You must keep checking your temperature at regular intervals to have a clear idea of how well your home treatment is going. If the temperature is coming down and you feel better, it is good, but if the fever does not go away or keeps getting worse, you need to consult a medical practitioner immediately.

Conclusion

When you are under the weather and troubled with a cold and flu fever, the tips shared above can be effective. However, these are only home remedies, and if the fever does not come down, you need to get medical help. In some cases, hospitalization might be recommended for medical attention. In such circumstances, having a good health insurance policy can be extremely helpful.

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