How to Quickly Reduce Fever

A fever occurs when the body temperature exceeds 38°C. It is a natural response of the body fighting against infections, illnesses, or discomfort, and can often be beneficial. While it's generally possible to manage a fever at home, it's important to carefully monitor symptoms, especially in children, as they are at a higher risk of seizures due to high temperatures. If you or your child has a fever, here are some methods to help bring it down quickly.

Use over-the-counter fever reducers for colds or flu-related fevers. Taking over-the-counter medication is one of the fastest and easiest ways to reduce a fever. If the fever is caused by a viral infection, it may be more challenging to treat. Viruses live within the body's cells and multiply rapidly. They don't respond to antibiotics. However, you can still use medication to control the body's fever response, no matter the cause.

• Try acetaminophen (Tylenol) or aspirin to reduce the fever. Be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging and avoid exceeding the recommended dose.
• Avoid giving aspirin to children, as it can cause Reye's syndrome if they have a viral infection. Acetaminophen is a safer alternative. Look for formulas specifically for "children" and follow the recommended dosage.

Thử ngâm mình trong bồn tắm nước ấm. Tắm dưới vòi sen hoặc ngâm trong bồn tắm nước ấm cũng có thể giúp hạ sốt nhanh hơn. Làm đầy bồn tắm với nước ấm, hoặc điều chỉnh vòi sen cho đến khi nước đủ ấm. Ngâm mình trong bồn hoặc đứng dưới vòi sen trong khoảng 10-15 phút để làm mát cơ thể.

• Không tắm vòi sen với nước lạnh hoặc cho đá lạnh vào bồn tắm để hạ sốt. Bạn cần dùng nước ấm để hạ sốt sao cho êm ả.

Uống nước. Sốt có thể khiến bạn mất nước và như vậy sẽ khiến bệnh nặng thêm. Bạn cần chú ý uống nhiều nước để giúp cơ thể chống lại cơn sốt và giữ nước cho cơ thể.

• Trẻ em cũng có thể cần uống nước điện giải như Pedialyte để bù lại các chất điện giải đã mất. Tham khảo bác sĩ của trẻ trước khi dùng nước để biết có cần thiết hay không.

Uống thực phẩm bổ sung để nâng cao khả năng miễn dịch. Thực phẩm bổ sung có thể bổ sung nhu cầu dinh dưỡng, giúp cơ thể chống lại nguyên nhân gây sốt. Multivitamin (đa sinh tố) không chống lại cơn sốt một cách trực tiếp, nhưng nó sẽ tăng cường sức mạnh cho cơ thể làm việc đó.

• Uống multivitamin với vitamin A, C, E, và B-complex, magnesium, can-xi, kẽm, và selenium.
• Uống 1-2 viên hoặc một thìa cà phê dầu cá mỗi ngày để bổ sung a-xít béo omega 3.
• Thực phẩm bổ sung probiotic hoặc thức ăn (như sữa chua có chứa "lợi khuẩn") sẽ đưa thêm vi khuẩn Lactobacillus acidophilus vào cơ thể và cải thiện chức năng miễn dịch. Nhưng nếu hệ miễn dịch của bạn bi suy yếu nghiêm trọng, bạn cần hỏi bác sĩ trước khi bổ sung probiotics.
• Không uống thực phẩm bổ sung thảo dược mà không hỏi bác sĩ. Một số loại có thể tương tác với thuốc kê toa hoặc phản ứng với các bệnh khác.

Áp dụng "trị liệu bằng tất ướt" tại nhà. Nếu bạn đi tất ướt khi ngủ, cơ thể bạn sẽ tự vệ bằng cách lưu thông máu và dịch bạch huyết đến bàn chân ướt. Việc này sẽ kích thích hệ miễn dịch và tạo ra một giấc ngủ có chức năng phục hồi và thư thái hơn.

• Nhúng một đôi tất cotton mỏng vào nước ấm, sau đó vắt bớt nước sao cho tất vẫn còn ướt nhưng không nhỏ giọt.
• Đi tất khi vào giường ngủ, sau đó đi một đôi tất khô, dày bên ngoài tất ướt.
• Sau năm hoặc sáu ngày, bạn nghỉ hai ngày không dùng phương pháp này.

Làm mát cơ thể của trẻ nếu cần thiết. Cơ thể người lớn có thể chịu đựng cơn sốt khá tốt, nhưng trẻ em có thể bị co giật nếu bị sốt quá cao. Thực ra sốt là nguyên nhân hàng đầu gây co giật ở trẻ em từ 6 tháng đến 5 tuổi. Nếu thân nhiệt của trẻ tăng trên 40 độ C hoặc bắt đầu tăng nhanh, bạn phải hạ sốt cho trẻ ngay lập tức. Cởi quần áo cho trẻ. Dùng một miếng bọt biển hoặc khăn mặt lau nước ấm khắp cơ thể trẻ (không dùng nước lạnh) để hạ sốt cho trẻ.

• Đắp đá lên cơ thể đang sốt có thể gây nguy hiểm nếu không được thực hiện đúng cách. Nó có thể khiến cơ thể run rẩy, và càng làm tăng thân nhiệt. Ở bệnh viện, y tá có thể đắp đá, nhưng tốt nhất khi ở nhà thì bạn nên dùng nước ấm.
• Gọi cho bác sĩ ngay khi trẻ bị sốt cao. Bác sĩ có thể sẽ khuyên bạn đưa trẻ đến phòng cấp cứu hoặc hướng dẫn bạn cách chăm sóc trẻ tại nhà.
• Gọi số cứu thương 115 để được hỗ trợ nếu trẻ bị co giật. (Nếu ở Mỹ, gọi số 911).
• Bác sĩ có thể thực hiện thụt hậu môn trực tràng để xử lý cơn co giật do sốt của trẻ.

Try to make yourself feel more at ease. While a fever sometimes needs to run its course and will eventually subside on its own, you can take steps to alleviate the discomfort as you wait for it to pass. For example, placing a damp cloth on your skin may not reduce the fever, but it can help ease the discomfort. Soak a cloth in cool water and apply it to your neck or forehead.

• Wear warm clothing and cover up with a blanket to combat chills caused by the fever. If you're feeling overheated, use a light blanket and wear lighter, breathable clothing.

Stay hydrated and eat light foods to help your body recover from gastroenteritis (GI). GI illness, commonly known as 'stomach flu,' brings symptoms like diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea or vomiting, headaches, and muscle aches, along with mild fever. This illness typically resolves within 3 to 7 days, and you just need to care for yourself until it passes. Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day, especially if you're vomiting.

• Be alert for signs of dehydration in children, as this requires emergency attention. Symptoms include fewer wet diapers, a sunken fontanel, deep-set eyes, and lethargy. If you notice these symptoms, you should call emergency services or seek immediate medical help.
• The BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) is commonly recommended for GI illness, but evidence of its effectiveness is weak. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend it for children as it lacks sufficient nutrients. It's better to eat a balanced diet, avoid fatty or spicy foods, and drink plenty of fluids.

Use herbs that are believed to reduce fever. Herbs come in many forms: powders, capsules, or tinctures. Many people prefer brewing hot tea with dry herbs. The warm liquid soothes the throat while the herbs help bring down the fever. To prepare herbal tea, steep a teaspoon of leaves or flowers in a cup of hot water for 5-10 minutes, or 10-20 minutes for roots. Always consult your doctor before using herbs or any natural remedies, as they can interfere with prescription medications or worsen certain conditions. These herbs may boost immune function, but they may also have some unwanted side effects:

• Green tea may increase restlessness and raise blood pressure. You might need to avoid it if you have diarrhea, glaucoma, or osteoporosis. Check with your doctor if you have liver disease.
• Cat's claw could exacerbate autoimmune diseases or leukemia. It may also interfere with certain medications, so be sure to consult your doctor before using it.
• Reishi mushrooms are usually found in tincture form rather than dried mushrooms. Use 30-60 drops, 2-3 times daily. Reishi can also interact with some medications, such as those for blood pressure or blood thinners.

Be cautious to prevent spreading the illness. When you're sick, make sure to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and dispose of used tissues properly. Wash your hands frequently with antibacterial soap. Try to stay away from people who aren't sick and avoid public places as much as possible. Do not share cups or personal items, and don't take offense if your partner refrains from kissing you during this time!

• For children, provide toys that can be easily cleaned with soap and water.

Recall if anyone around you has been sick recently. If someone in your household or workplace has been ill recently, it's likely that you caught the illness from them. Children often spread sickness to each other and can catch the flu from friends at school or the playground.

• If you know that the other person’s illness healed on its own, you can feel a bit reassured. Your illness may also resolve on its own if you get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids.

Track your body temperature. If your illness doesn’t improve, you’ll need to provide your doctor with detailed information about your fever’s progression. This data could assist the doctor in diagnosing your condition. For instance, you might think you have a common cold, but after a week, you suddenly develop a high fever. This could mean you have a secondary infection like an ear infection or pneumonia. Conversely, some cancers like non-Hodgkin lymphoma can cause night fevers without a fever during the day.

• Remember to measure your temperature several times a day until the fever subsides.

Record any other unusual symptoms. It's important to document any symptoms that seem out of the ordinary, even if they don’t make you feel sick. For example, sudden weight changes could indicate several underlying causes. Other symptoms might point to which organ systems are being affected, which can help narrow down the diagnosis.

• For example, a cough could signal a lung problem like pneumonia. A burning sensation while urinating may indicate a kidney infection.

Seek medical advice. Provide your doctor with the recorded temperature and symptom information to assist in diagnosing the cause of your fever. They will also perform a physical exam to look for further clues about the fever's origin. The details you provide, along with the physical exam, will help the doctor narrow down possible causes. Some causes can be easily identified or ruled out through tests or imaging.

• Your doctor may recommend routine tests, including a physical exam, white blood cell count, urinalysis, blood cultures, and a chest X-ray.

Follow the doctor's advice when treating viral infections. The flu remains one of the most common viral infections today. However, there are other, less common viral diseases that do not respond to antibiotics. Conditions like acute bronchitis, glomerulonephritis, chickenpox, measles, and hand-foot-and-mouth disease are all caused by viruses. Many of these conditions will resolve naturally, such as hand-foot-and-mouth disease, which typically clears up within 7-10 days. For most viral infections, the best approach is self-care, including proper hygiene, good nutrition, and sufficient rest, but always check with your doctor.

• Ask your doctor how long the virus can persist and whether there are ways to speed up the healing process.
• Consult your doctor about what symptoms to watch for, as some harmless viruses may mutate and become dangerous. For example, in rare cases, hand-foot-and-mouth disease can lead to potentially fatal brain inflammation.

Take antibiotics for bacterial infections. The chances of successfully treating bacterial infections are high, as bacterial infections typically respond well to antibiotics. Antibiotics both kill bacteria and prevent them from multiplying, which helps your immune system fight off the remaining bacteria.

• Bacterial pneumonia is a common cause of fever.
• Your doctor will take blood samples to identify the type of bacteria causing the fever.
• The doctor will then use the test results to determine the appropriate antibiotic to target the bacteria and reduce the fever.

Discuss other potential causes of fever with your doctor. While viruses and bacteria are the most common sources of fever, they are not the only causes. Fever can also be triggered by vaccination reactions, allergic responses, and chronic inflammatory conditions like IBS (inflammatory bowel disease) and arthritis.

• If you experience frequent or recurring fevers, consult your doctor about possible underlying causes. Treating these underlying conditions may help reduce the frequency of fevers.

Use a digital thermometer to take your temperature orally. A digital thermometer can be used to measure temperature orally, rectally, or under the arm. It is recommended that you avoid taking your temperature rectally on your own and instead use the thermometer orally or under the arm. Clean the thermometer with cold water, wipe it with alcohol, and then rinse it again with cold water. Never use a thermometer that has been used rectally for oral measurements.

• Avoid eating or drinking anything for at least 5 minutes before measuring your temperature, as food or drink can alter your oral temperature and lead to inaccurate results.
• Place the thermometer under your tongue and hold it there for around 40 seconds. Most digital thermometers will beep when the reading is complete.
• After taking the reading, clean the thermometer with cold water, wipe it with alcohol, and rinse it again for disinfection.

Measure temperature under the armpit. To measure temperature under the armpit, remove your shirt or wear loose clothing. Place the thermometer directly into the armpit. The tip of the thermometer must make contact with the skin, not the fabric of your shirt. Wait about 40 seconds until you hear the beep indicating the measurement is complete.

Choose the best method for measuring a child's temperature. Select the appropriate method to measure your child's temperature. For instance, a 2-year-old cannot keep a thermometer under their tongue long enough for an accurate reading. Ear thermometers can sometimes give inconsistent results. The most accurate method is to take a child's temperature rectally, which is also painless. This method is recommended for children aged 3 months to 4 years.

Take a child's temperature rectally with a digital thermometer. Make sure the thermometer's tip is sanitized with alcohol and then rinsed. After drying the thermometer, apply petroleum jelly to make the insertion smoother.

• Lay the child on their back and lift their legs, similar to when changing a diaper.
• Gently insert the thermometer into the rectum about 1.3 to 2.5 cm deep, but do not force it if there is any resistance.
• Keep the thermometer in place for around 40 seconds or until you hear the beep indicating the measurement is complete.

Interpreting the results. You may have heard that 37°C is considered the normal body temperature, but this is just a guideline. A person's temperature can vary throughout the day, typically being lower in the morning and higher in the evening. Additionally, some people naturally have higher or lower resting temperatures. A healthy body temperature typically fluctuates between 36.4°C and 37.1°C. Fever guidelines are as follows:

• Children: 38°C measured rectally; 37.5°C measured orally; 37.2°C measured under the armpit.
• Adults: 38.2°C measured rectally; 37.8°C measured orally; 37.2°C measured under the armpit.
• A temperature below 38°C is considered a "low-grade fever." Do not worry unless the fever reaches 38.9°C.

Get vaccinated to prevent diseases. Viral infections are difficult to treat, but scientists have developed vaccines that can help prevent many viral diseases. You should ask your doctor for recommendations on which vaccines to take. Vaccinating children early can protect them from potentially dangerous diseases in the future. Consider vaccines for:

• Pneumococcal infections, which prevent bacteria that cause ear infections, sinus infections, pneumonia, meningitis, and blood infections.
• Infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae, which can lead to upper respiratory issues like ear and sinus infections, and more severe infections like meningitis.
• Children aged 11 and older should receive the meningococcal vaccine.
• There is no evidence that vaccines cause autism in children. Vaccines are approved by the Ministry of Health and undergo rigorous testing to ensure their effectiveness. Vaccination can save lives.

Get enough sleep every night. Adults who sleep less than 6 hours a night often have weaker immune responses and a reduced ability to fight infections.

• Aim to get 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night to maintain a healthy immune system.

Follow a healthy diet. The foods you consume have a significant impact on your ability to fight off illness. Nourish your body with natural foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Avoid processed foods as they often contain high amounts of sugar and saturated fats, which can harm your health.

• Make sure to get 1,000 mg of vitamin C and 2,000 IU of vitamin D every day. Vitamins A and E are also important due to their antioxidant properties.

Avoid contact with germs. If you know someone is sick, keep your distance until they have recovered and are no longer contagious. Even when there are no clear signs of illness around you, practice good hygiene.

• Wash your hands after leaving public places and always wash your hands before eating. If soap and water are not available, carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer with you.

Reduce stress levels. Studies show that high stress levels actually weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to illness. Set aside time in your life to relax and engage in activities that you enjoy, and try to make time for them regularly.

• Yoga and meditation are popular activities that help people reduce stress. Exercise also has a significant impact on stress levels.
• Try to engage in physical exercise for at least 150 minutes a week, with each session lasting between 30-40 minutes.
• When exercising, ensure that your heart rate matches your age. You can calculate your target heart rate by subtracting your age from 220. Aim for a heart rate between 60%-80% of your maximum heart rate that is suitable for your physical condition.