We are living thru a historic event. The coronavirus will be something our grandchildren learn about in history class. We want them to talk about how well we handled this. Right now, not a lot is being said about what to do if you think you have the virus. They are recommending that you STAY AT HOME. This is nothing new to those of us in Natural Medicine. A visit to the emergency room needs to be avoided if at all possible. If you go and you are not sick, you just exposed yourself and loved ones, because THAT is where the sick people are! If you are sick, you just exposed everyone you came into contact with on the way there. So, they are recommending that you CALL your doctor and stay home. This is very scary to a lot of people, because they don’t know what to do. How do I care for someone sick at home? Our grandmothers did it – and we can too! Knowledge is power, and I hope to share some old-fashioned knowledge that may help you, if you need to care for someone in your home.
Let’s Talk About Fevers
Why do you run a fever? Most fevers are caused by viral or bacterial infections. When the body is infected, it responds by making more white blood cells and leukocytes that destroy viruses and bacteria. Fever increases the activity of these cells, a process called leucotaxis. A normal temperature is between 96.6 – 99.4. An infection may cause a fever of 105. Although a high fever is frightening, most of the time the body will work thru it without medical intervention. Remember this, FEVER IS YOUR FRIEND. It helps to burn out the virus or bacteria infection. Fever can help most viral infections go away more quickly than drugs. There is nothing the doctor can do to dispose of a viral infection any quicker than you can. In fact, medication often interferes with the bodies’ attempt to get well since it works to suppress the fever. If you lower your temperature by taking Tylenol or Ibuprofen, you simply hinder the process, not to mention damage to the liver, kidneys, or stomach lining.
Isn’t a high fever dangerous? The main danger to be aware of with a high fever is DEHYDRATION. You must keep the body moist. Remember this: Dry heat kills – Moist heat heals! A small child (20-30 lbs.) needs to drink at least 1-2 oz every hour, a 40 lb. child needs 3 oz every hour, a medium size child (85 lbs) needs 6 oz. every hour and an adult needs 12 oz or more. It really works best to use a cup that you can mark the measurement and keep track of what they are drinking. Taking a nice warm ginger bath is another way to get fluid into the body. The only time to be really worried about a high fever is after a head injury, poisoning, or heat exposure, otherwise in most cases, the body knows when to shut it off – your body is smart!
Won’t a high fever cause convulsions? No, it really is the rapid rise in fever that might cause them. So if the fever is rising fast, you might try to slow it down a little. Some people have used a cloth dipped in apple cider vinegar and then gently wiping the arms and legs down. It smells, but as it evaporates, it helps the body to cool down a bit. Yet, doesn’t interfere with the job a fever needs to accomplish.
If you feel the need to reduce a fever, you may make a tea/infusion, of elder flowers and peppermint leaves, steep 15 minutes, strain and sweeten. Another great herbal tea to use with children is red raspberry leaves; it has a lot of minerals/electrolytes which help balance the body and are lost during a high fever. Natural electrolyte supplements are also available. I like EmergenC pkts, Cell Food, Ionic Minerals, and Liquid Chlorophyll. Electrolytes are also lost during diarrhea, so if you have that plus the fever, you need to be doubly sure to STAY HYDRATED!
What does dehydration look like? A dehydrated person will be listless, pale, and his skin is looser and kind of floppy. Check him in a plump area, like the forearm or legs, by pinching the skin to see if it is loose or normal. If you are not able to keep them HYDRATED, you must get medical help! We are so used to going to the hospital for an IV, but if you keep on TOP of it, you can prevent dehydration and stay safely at home.
I hope this helps you to understand the work of a fever in your body. There is no need to “shut it off”. Let it run its course. It is very important to STAY HYDRATED! Remember, FEVER IS YOUR FRIEND, helping you to fight off the virus or bacterial infection.