What Everyone Should Know About Fever: Two Medications Should Be Used With Extreme Caution, Even Death

Fever seems to be such a common symptom that it has probably been experienced by everyone in our lives. But apparently few know what is happening in our body at that moment.

– At that time we raise the temperature – the body tries to give the environment as little as possible, blood vessels spasms, it cools a bit, the hands and feet are cold. But, on the other hand, we “burn fuel” and raise the temperature by ourselves. And this happens because the brain receives a signal from the blood that something is happening somewhere. During infection, certain substances are released, raising the temperature for the pathogen to die. We react to damage, we reduce the temperature it gives off and increase its production.

– By the way, not long ago in the show I only told you how to measure the temperature correctly. Maybe you could remember those basic principles? What I remember for myself is that the deeper the thermometer is inserted, the more accurate the data is.

– If true. Whichever method you choose, you should measure a person who is already warmed up. If a person has just entered from a cold room, we should be in the room for at least 10-15 minutes, otherwise everyone will be calm. If chills develop, wait until it stops and then measure the already elevated temperature. In terms of precision: a remote surface meter is very good in terms of hygiene, but its errors are high, with an error of up to 1.5 degrees possible. Measuring the inside of the body is more accurate. Also, when measuring temperature, one should not sit near any heat source, as we can measure the temperature from that source. Efforts should be made to measure an area of ​​the body in a single measurement, especially if the child is remembering.

– Going back to the causes of the fever itself, what could be the main reasons for this?

– The main cause is infection. Anyway, when it comes to fever, there can be many reasons. There is no patient more complicated than one who has a temperature of 37.5 degrees. We all face infections: there is a pathogen, then substances are released that send a signal to fight them and the temperature rises. However, and any other activation of immunity, it can be a vaccine, autoimmune diseases in the same oncology can provoke temperature. There are also hormonal effects. Every woman has a higher temperature during ovulation while she is still in her menstrual cycle. As you know, men prefer hot women over cold limbs. There can be even the simplest overheating when we can’t put as much heat out into the environment. There can be many reasons, but at the moment we are mainly talking about infections.

– As far as I know, it cannot be beaten at a certain temperature. What if we tear it down?

– The temperature should not be lowered below 33-34 degrees, because then we will simply freeze. If an adult or especially a child feels fine, the temperature should not drop below 38.5 degrees. Because at this temperature the virus is very bad. Its reproduction stops and it just doesn’t spread anymore. However, if the child is very slow, the person feels bad being able to take medicine and lower the temperature. On the other hand, if a person has a temperature of 40 degrees, but feels good and is able to drink a lot of fluids, sweat and cool off naturally, maybe one hour he can observe himself and not exceed that temperature, because maybe he will drop itself.

– Let’s talk about ways to reduce fever. Most Lithuanians believe that drugs should not be used because they eat the liver, so it is better to relieve the temperature in a popular way and with a wet towel on the head. What do you think about that? Can a really wet towel help?

– The Lithuanians are partly right. The towel will help and it is not necessary to multiply the drugs. Antipyretics are the well-known paracetamol and anti-inflammatory painkillers: ibuprofen, pain reliever, aspirin and others that beat the temperature. However, pain relievers and aspirin should not be used, as certain viruses can cause very sad secondary complications, even death. For this reason, we chose paracetamol and ibuprofen as the safest option. Yes, they successfully eat the liver and eat it the same way, so you can’t take turns switching between them and thinking that we are taking different medications. And when it comes to towels, it’s a great way to beat the temperature. We just have to wrap them not on the head, an arm or a leg because we are cooling the whole body. If we cover our heads with the towel, we will not get much benefit. But if we undress and wipe the patient with a damp towel, forming an artificial layer of sweat that will evaporate and cool successfully, we will get a much better effect. The body should be allowed to cool. This requires cooling, a cooler environment, sweating.

– When I was a child, I have heard many times that you cannot get in the shower or in the jacuzzi during a fever. It is true?

– You really need to stay clean and a dry clean and clean person will definitely recover faster than a sticky one. Neither bacteria nor viruses have a great aesthetic, and dirt and odor lend themselves in the same way as cleanliness and delicious smell. Perhaps choosing a hot bath for a long time is not very good because we can raise our temperature and overheat. But taking a shower for a short time is definitely possible. And again, hygiene in the disease is apparently the second of the recommendations after liquids.

– And the sauna? Maybe we can go, “sweat out” all the infection and be healthy.

– Can. A sauna is a very good solution with one condition. We can artificially do what the body does. If it is difficult to raise the temperature, we feel that it still wants to rise, but it does not rise, you can go to the sauna, especially in the first days of illness, to artificially raise the room temperature. We will do the same thing that our body has tried in vain to do until now. Sweating itself in this case shows the fact that we have reached a certain temperature, the body heats up and begins to cool down. But there are two conditions: a person must be in a sufficiently stable condition and not pass out in the sauna. It would be nice, especially if we are talking about children, if this is not the child’s first date with a sauna. You should get used to it because it is a strong enough stimulant.

– One of my acquaintances, when I get sick and have a fever, has the following rule: dress in a lot of clothes, wrap up with several blankets and then sweat. He says it gets better because the illness sweats Does the same rule apply as with a sauna?

– Exactly the same, only not everyone has a sauna and everyone can bundle up. Like I say, lie on one side of the cat, on the other side of the neighbor, drink lots of hot water and sweat. If we do not have a cat or neighbor, the simplest option is to fill the plastic container with hot tap water, wrap it in a towel to avoid burning the sides, cuddle, wrap in blankets, drink hot liquids and artificially raise the temperature to yourself. This is especially good when the chills start. In this way, raising the temperature yourself is very good.

– You just mentioned hot liquids. That we can drink hot tea, won’t it hurt anyone?

– The people of the Middle East are getting cold, drinking hot tea. I don’t think we will hurt anyone either. If we sweat, we need to restore fluids in the body.

– While looking for information on fever, I came across a tip: “Vitamin C is very important when it comes to fever. So it is worth eating grapefruit, some oranges and a lemon ”. Does it take a lot of citrus to eat in the heat and will we recover?

– Everyone disputes the effects of vitamin C. Some say it is very good, others say it is not that important. If you taste citrus fruits, you can eat them. If you can’t bear them, and you don’t. Similarly, simple vitamin C is found in apples, onions, garlic. If we eat 2 servings of vegetables and fruits a day, it is enough. The only thing that can stop us is an allergy to citrus fruits and increased acidity of the stomach. What we get from citrus, what is really very important in fever, is water and glucose.

– How long should you stop having a fever and when should you see a doctor if the temperature does not drop?

– It is considered that the temperature drops when it drops for at least 2 hours and at least 2 degrees after medication. In this case, the effects of the medicine are and we are sure enough if the person feels fine. If the temperature does not drop or any disturbing symptoms persist, or the person believes that something more serious may be present, a doctor should be consulted. At home, we generally allow a person to stay with a fever for 2-3 days. During this time, the body usually defeats the viruses, and if no other symptoms are present, it is sufficient.

– What are the most common mistakes made with a fever?

– The temperature is rising too soon, at a time when we are still shaking and still have a temperature. Yes, drugs will suppress it, but we will not know how far it would have gone. Another thing is very little fluid and very little glucose. Bad in case of overdose. It is not necessary to alternate ibuprofen with paracetamol, since in principle it is identical in its toxicity. If one didn’t work, you don’t have to give another one after an hour. The most important thing to remember is comfort, fluids, and rest.