High Fevers: Home Remedies to Help After a Doctor's Visit
Nothing is worse than having a cold or full-blown flu, especially when you have a high fever. Unfortunately, these illnesses don't respond to antibiotics, and there isn't a quick fix to get you back to normal. Plus, a fever is your body’s way of fighting off infection, so they can be a good thing. Still, you can take steps to increase your comfort until your fever breaks.
At DOCCS Urgent Care in Melbourne, Florida, we recommend scheduling an urgent care appointment if you have a fever over 100.4 Fahrenheit (F), especially for those who are:
Under three months of age
Pregnant
Elderly
Living with a chronic medical condition
You should also consider a fever of 104 F or higher a medical emergency and seek immediate attention, especially for infants, children, and the elderly.
Our doctors can diagnose your illness and create a personalized treatment strategy to help get your symptoms under control as soon as possible. When you head home to recuperate, we recommend taking these steps to help with a high fever.
Drink plenty of fluids
It's essential to drink plenty of fluids when you have a high fever. Opt for water or herbal teas and avoid consuming alcohol and caffeinated beverages, which can cause dehydration. Additional fluids to help with a high fever include:
Sports drinks
Electrolyte beverages, like Pedialyte
Juice
Broths or soups
If you have a sore throat, we also recommend sucking on popsicles — they provide cooling relief while soothing your throat at the same time!
Stay cool
If you have a fever, be sure not to over dress. When you overdress, you can actually cause your temperature to increase instead of going down. At the same time, however, allowing yourself to start shivering can also raise your fever. Instead, wear comfortable clothing and opt for layers of sheets or light blankets instead of heavy quilts or comforters.
You can also try a lukewarm bath or sponging yourself to increase your comfort. It's important to note that a common myth involves immersing someone with a high fever in ice water or sponging them with alcohol. You should avoid these approaches.
Rest
A fever means your body is hard at work trying to fight off infection. The best way to help is by resting as much as possible. If you can’t spend the entire day in bed, take it easy and avoid as much physical activity as you can, including your exercise routine. We also recommend trying to get at least eight or nine hours of sleep each night.
To make the area where you rest even more comfortable, try running a fan to keep the air circulating.
Try over-the-counter (OTC) medications
During your appointment, we can suggest the best OTC fever reducers based on your unique needs. Even though these therapies come without a prescription, it’s important to follow their recommended guidelines, especially when giving them to children.
Common OTC fever-reducing products include:
Aspirin
Acetaminophen (Tylenol®)
Ibuprofen (Advil® and Motrin®)
Naproxen (Aleve®)
In some cases, herbal remedies can also provide relief. But again, talk to us before taking any supplements to make sure they are a safe option for you.
For more tips on managing a high fever or to schedule an urgent care appointment, contact us by calling 321-752-7100 or book a consultation online today.