Question: What do you do when you or your family has a fever?
My Answer: First, lets take a look at the whole fever process. Fever or elevated body temperature is the body's response to an infection from a germ or bacteria. The bacteria starts to become a problem, so the body's own innate intelligence raises it's temperature to burn off the infection. In the reality of the situation, the human body is not "actually" sick when a fever occurs. The body is "actually" healthy. The body is reacting the way nature intended it to do. If you did not get a fever when a bad infection was present, then you would be "sick" because the body was not functioning the way it was supposed to. So, fever is good, it means your body is working to combat a germ.
Most people try to lower or "break" a fever using external means. For example, cold compresses, advil, aspirin etc. Low grade fevers should be left alone to run their course. The temperature will not rise to a harmful level unless you overheat yourself with lots of blankets or dehydrate yourself by not drinking lots of fluids. Research has even shown that it takes a temperature of 102 degrees for the body to start releasing it's own powerful antibiotic called interferon. I personally don’t get nervous at anything below 104 degrees.
Most low grade fevers will burn off an infection in a few days. Medication to break the fever, allows the infection to stay in the body longer therefore, you are sicker longer.
Aspirin given to a child who has a fever is very dangerous. Aspirin can cause Reyes Syndrome, which is often fatal. In adults, aspirin can cause stomach bleeding.
What do I do? First, I allow the fever to do what it is supposed to do. Burn off the infection. I do not take any drugs or medications. I get a chiropractic spinal adjustment which helps normalize body function and stimulate the immune system. Research has even shown a spinal adjustment will allow the body to work more efficiently and burn off the infection quicker. Which means less sick time. If the fever gets above 104 degrees I might try a warm bath. I drink plenty of water and take extra vitamin C.
What should you do? Use caution and common sense whenever you have a fever, and try to remember that fever is a natural function to fight germs. Keep an eye on the temperature. If you become nervous about a fever, see your medical doctor.