Health Wise-Healing And Dealing With A Fever

A fever is a elevation of body's temperature. The average temperature is between 97-99 degrees Fahrenheit in individuals. A body's temperature can be determined by a thermometer. To find out what your normal body temperature is take it over time when you are not ill.

A fever occurs when the Immune System is fighting off significant infections like the cold/flu and more serious ones like HIV. Hence a fever is not some evil invader from space trying to do us in, but rather a partner in keeping us well. It does the job via working with the Immune System to kill the infection-your temperature can also rise when you have been exposed to warm weather. This is of particular concern for infants because they can't shake off heat like an older person can.

However when is a fever considered benign or dangerous? That depends on age,, how high the temperature is, its duration, the behavior and the general health of the patient. The following may be useful as a guideline to determine if it is benign or dangerous:

1. For infants from birth to 3 months with a temperature of 100.4 or above a doctor should be called even if there's no symptoms.
2. For children 3 months to 24 months with a temperature below 102.F rest and drinking plenty of fluids is recommended. Call the doctor if child is overly irritable, lethargic and uncomfortable.
3. For children 3 months to 24 months with a temperature 102F and above give them children's dose of acetaminophen. If child is 6 months or older you can use Ibuprofen. If the fever gets no better after the medication and/or the condition lasts more than one day call the doctor.Always give proper dosage.
4. For children ages 2-18 years with temperatures  below  102.F they should drink plenty of fluids no medication is recommended. Call the doctor if the child is very irritable or lethargic.
5. For children 2-18 years if the temperature is  102F and above proper dosage of acetaminophen or Ibuprofen is doable. If this doesn't work and/or the fever lasts more than 3 days call the doctor. .
6. For adults 18 years and older with fevers below 102F without severe headache,stiff neck drink plenty fluids. If any other severe conditions exist call doctor.
7. For adults 18 years and older with temperatures 102F and above take acetaminophen, Ibuprofen or aspirin. Read label for proper dosage. Call doctor if fever does not respond to medication and is consistently 103 F and above.

Please remember that Aspirin for children 18 and younger is not recommended and all the above circumstances when the temperature was taken it was done with an oral thermometer except with the infant where it was rectal.

Thus a fever is not a bad thing because it is part of the healing process and how we deal with it depends on the age, how high the fever is, and the general health of the patient. In this season of flu and colds, it helps to know something about fevers and its dynamics.

However while the guidelines outlined are important it is also essential that you as a caretaker have accurate knowledge about the patient in your family and any underlying condition which may hinder the healing process.