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Drinking Water is the Best Cure for Fever

Fever is not a disease in itself, but a symptom of many ailments. And, there are many side effects of a fever, like dehydration, that can cause even more damage.

When one has a fever, despite the discomfort, it is a good thing- it means the body is fighting off an illness or infection. The normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees, although children often have higher temps than adults. Most people can tolerate a fever of 103-degrees for a short period of time. Most fevers will last three to four days. However, if there are other symptoms along with the fever, it could mean something else. When one has a fever, they may feel tired, have lower energy and may not eat as much. Symptoms include sweating, chills, muscle aches and shivering.

Contrary to what you may think, it is not recommended that you try to cool off when experiencing a fever. This is because the body's raised temperature is trying to fight off bacteria that thrive in a cool environment. Think about all the times you weren't sure if a meat you were preparing was removed of all bacteria when you said to yourself, "It'll die when I cook it." Similar concept. However, if you truly want to cool down and get a little more comfortable, the best thing to do while inflicted with a fever is to take a lukewarm shower. It is okay to raise the temperature a little until you are comfortable. It is not recommended to use ice to cool the body! Also, wearing light and airy clothes will help you remain comfortable.

The most important thing though is to keep body fluids flowing. Like in heat exhaustion and heat stroke and other similar ailments, when the body temperature goes up, the more fluid it uses. So, although inactive and lying in bed, one can still become dehydrated with a fever. To prevent dehydration during a fever, body fluids need to be replenished. The average adult should drink about 10 glasses of water per day, more than the usual average. Children should strive for 6-10 per day. If your fever is the cause of another illness, such as the cold or the flu, water is equally important in flushing out the body of the "bug" that is causing the illness.

Many doctors will argue that treating fevers gets in the way of the body's natural course of protecting itself. In fact, for those with fevers at or under 102-degrees, it is not recommended to take any medication. For fevers above this, acetaminophen and ibuprofen for adults and children are okay, and aspirin for adults only.

Read Next: Water, Bronchitis & Pneumonia

More related topics: Water & Internal/External Infections Coughs & Cold Influenza & the Importance of Drinking Water Asthma & Allergies