Apart from the unlikely heat stroke with the current weather, fever is linked to a reaction of the immune system, often in case of bacterial or viral infection, typical of winter pathologies. Antibodies, in order of battle, cause inflammation and impact our internal thermostat located in the hypothalamus (region of the brain involved in the central nervous system) causing hyperthermia, chills and associated aches. “If it is rarely serious in itself, fever is to be taken seriously in toddlers, the elderly or people with comorbidities. And it always signals a disorder to watch out for,” warns Dr. Marc Pérez, author of the book, Viruses will not pass through me! Good hygiene gestures, an immune system at the top… (ed. Eyrolles, 2020).
Monitoring
Icy, but warm to the touch, shivering, dejected, possibly bent? These are signs that do not deceive. A temperature of 37 °C or less in the morning and 37.5 °C in the evening indicates the absence of fever. At 37.7 °C, it is called a fever to watch, at 38 °C of proven fever, at 39 °C of high fever and, at 40 °C and above, of a very high fever presenting an increased risk to the body.
What to do: take your temperature. Exit the old mercury thermometers, which are no longer marketed, as well as flexible liquid crystal strips not recommended. The new rectal, ear or frontal electronic models are the most reliable. The measurements are to be repeated four times a day for 48 hours.
We relieve
Below 39 ° C and if the fever is well tolerated, there is no reason to lower it at all costs, especially in adults who are not at risk of convulsation. After all, we can let the body defend itself in this way. However, it is useless to exhaust yourself to endure a feeling that is too painful.
The right choices: paracetamol is the reference medicine (no more than 3 g per 24 hours, divided into a maximum of 1 g at 6 hours apart). Lack of sufficient benefit and especially in case of associated aches, aspirin can also relieve. To be taken alternately with paracetamol and not more than 3 g divided in intake of 1 g at 8 hours interval.
Natural medicines offer good alternative and complementary solutions. Homeopathy side: take aconit at the first signs of feverishness, Ferrum phosphoricum for a medium fever without sweating, and Belladonna in case of peaks at 40 ° C (all three in 5 CH, 3 granules, 4 times a day).
On the plant side: disinfectant thyme tea is sipped continuously and which allows you to hydrate in abundance, as should be done in case of fever (count an additional liter per day and per degree of fever above 37 ° C). Ravintsara and niaouli, anti-infective, are rather to be used in the form of essential oils: 3 drops of each to mix with a dose of vegetable oil in the palm of the hand, to massage the wrists, chest, throat, belly.
Side trace elements: start a course of copper-gold-silver, anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious action, helping to manage the fever peak and to recover well, to follow for 3 weeks.
On the rise, more than 48 hours: it is essential to take stock of the associated symptoms, such as isolated sore throat, typical of a beautiful angina (with redness and whiteheads in the tonsils); a cough accompanied by severe pain in a lung suggestive of pneumonia digestive disorders (diarrhea, spasms, etc.) signaling a possible intestinal infection; hardness of the abdomen similar to appendicitis or severe headaches and stiff neck, symptomatic of meningitis, etc. To be treated without delay with antibiotic therapy, most often, in order to eliminate the cause, which will quickly lower the fever at the same time. Similarly, this one being part of the symptoms of Covid-19, a test is really advisable also, to have the heart clear.
Low noise over time: beyond 10 days, we speak of chronic fever which also requires a thorough examination, even if it peaks at 37.7-38 ° C and in the absence of clear symptoms. Many disorders not to be overlooked can explain it: an autoimmune disease, certain imbalances of the thyroid, the development of cancer, a chronic creeping infection… The doctor usually prescribes, in this case, a blood test to perform a blood count, evaluate the markers of inflammation or certain cancers, to be completed by medical imaging (radio, CT …), if necessary.