How to Reduce Fever Safely

Fever is typically a symptom of a more serious underlying condition such as infection. Causes of fever can include dehydration, chronic illness and viral conditions. Once the cause of the fever is determined, it can usually be controlled with the proper medical care to treat the underlying problem. However, sometimes fevers can spike and need immediate safe reduction before a complete medical picture is formed. Here are the steps to doing it safely.

Things You'll Need

• OTC pain and fever reducer such as Tylenol or Advil
• A reliable thermometer (remember, the old mercury ones contain mercury which can be hazardous to the environment and your health--dispose of the them promptly and safely!)
• Plenty of cool (not iced) fluids
• Several changes of clothing and/or bedding (if necessary)

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Take the person's temperature as per the instructions on the device you are using. Write down the date, time and temperature to start a record-keeping log. You may also want to include any suspected causative agents such as a bug bite or bad food.

• 2

  Call your health care provider to inform them of the person's condition, if warranted. For example, a small child with a fever of 104 may need an immediate trip to the ER before convulsions set in. Make a "game plan" with your health care provider as to what are acceptable or not acceptable temperatures for each individual, and what to do if these points are reached.

• 3

  Treat any underlying condition that is determined by your health care provider. Always ask if you should be trying to reduce fever while the medication to treat the other condition is given a chance to work. Most of the time the answer will be YES!

• 4

  Never COOL a person with fever. The old myth of ice packs and cold compresses actually INCREASE fever. When the body is placed in a cold bath or pack with ice the body's biological response is to have the person shiver. Never place "cooling fans" on a person! Shivering causes muscle contractions that actually cause the fever to rise.

• 5

  Make the person as comfortable as possible in a temperature neutral environment. In other words, not too hot or too cold. Comfortable. Change bedding and clothing as necessary once it becomes soiled or wet, since this may make the body shiver.

• 6

  Give fever-reducing medications as outlined by your heath care provider. Sipping room temperature fluids through a straw can be very helpful and comforting. Keep the person as well-hydrated as possible.

• 7

  Fever reduction is rather simple, but falls victim of many old myths. Remember, it is important to treat fever from medical-based research and not some notion that has been handed down through the generations.