Fever
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- What is fever?
- Symptoms of fever
- Causes of fever
- Prevention of fever
- Risk factors for fever
- Complications of fever
- When to see a doctor about fever
- Diagnosis of fever
- Conventional treatment of fever
- Alternative/complementary treatment of fever
- Living with fever
- Caring for someone with fever
Alternative/complementary treatment of fever
There are a number of alternative/complementary treatments recommended for fever:
Herbs
There are a number of excellent herbs which may help to provide relief for symptoms:
- Elderflower tea - studies show that the flowers of the elderberry tree have significant anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. Elderberry tea helps to lower the levels of the virus or bacteria, which in turn will help to lower fever
- Garlic - the herb garlic should be incorporated either as a supplement or fresh in food, to assist the body in healing when fever is caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Garlic has excellent anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties and can help to reduce likelihood of infection in the first place
Vitamins
There are a number of vitamins which may help to provide relief for symptoms:
- Vitamin A - the potent antioxidant vitamin A assists the body to heal more quickly, especially when the fever is due to a bacterial or viral infection and this is because vitamin A helps to boost the immune system to fight off the infection more effectively. Vitamin A is best if taken prior to infection, to prevent it from getting worse, but can be taken when infection is present too to reduce fever
- Vitamin C - the potent antioxidant vitamin C especially help the body to reduce fever and is especially effective if taken in the powdered form (which is generally less acidic). Vitamin C has anti-viral properties, which help to reduce levels of virus and this helps to reduce fever
Minerals
There are a no minerals which are recommended to treat fever.
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Other nutrients
There are a no other nutrients which are recommended to treat fever.
Dietary modifications
There are a number of dietary modification strategies which may help to provide relief for symptoms:
- Increase fluid intake - drink plenty of plain water (around 8-10 glasses), juices (mix them with water) and herbal tea such as peppermint and chamomile to help replace the fluids lost through the fever, to help the body rehydrate and help with healing
Lifestyle modifications
There are a number of lifestyle modifications which may help to provide relief for symptoms:
- Cold compresses - use a wet cotton cloth on the pulse points (forehead, chest and arms especially, but also legs) to help lower the body temperature. The cold compress should be re-applied every 10-15 minutes as the cloth will heat up quickly due to the high body temperature
- Rest - resting the body and sleeping more, without exertion allows the body to heal itself naturally. The body is usually fighting an infection when fever is present and resting gives the body more resources to help with the healing process
Alternative treatments
There are no other alternative treatments recommended to treat fever.
Always ensure that you notify your medical practitioner of any supplements that you want to take - it may interfere with other medication or conditions you have. Confirm with your doctor it is safe to take BEFORE you try it.
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