Fever, also known as higher than normal body temperature, is a common health condition that is often caused by different illnesses like virus (including COVID-19), bacterial infection, inflammation in the body (can be in just one part of the body), intake of certain medications, and specific immunizations (e.g., diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis, or pneumococcal vaccine). [1] Or in other words, fever is the natural reaction of the body, trying to defend itself and cope with infections or pathogens.
Often, patients complain about different symptoms that high body temperature may cause [2]:
- Feeling cold or warm
- Body chills or aches
- Weakness in muscles
- Sleepiness
- Difficulty breathing
These worrisome symptoms make “How to break a fever?” the most commonly asked question about high body temperature.
This article will look into this question and will provide you with 5 science-based treatment options!
Now, after so many numbers, let’s get started with the treatment options.
The information provided in this article focuses entirely on fever occurring in adults, and does not aim to provide information about fever in children, toddlers, or babies.
How to break a fever?
According to an updated 2020 article published in Harvard Health Publishing, the following methods may help you relieve the symptoms of fever, and improve your wellbeing [6]:
Another important method to break a fever is to avoid all fever treatments that are not backed up by science and can worsen your health condition.
For instance, one viral method for breaking a fever is rubbing alcohol on the skin of the patient. However, evidence suggests that this is not only ineffective, but can also be dangerous. [9]
In that sense, if you desire to try untraditional fever remedies, consult this with your healthcare provider before proceeding.
When to go to the doctor if you have fever?
Generally, fever is rarely a life-threatening condition. However, if you notice one or a couple of the following symptoms, consult your healthcare provider for suitable treatment plan and medication [4][6] :
- Fever over 40 C (104 F)
- Seizure
- Loss of consciousness
- Confusion
- Stiff neck
- Severe pain/cramps in the body
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in the body
- Discolored or bad-smelling vaginal discharge
- Pain when peeing
- Severe thirst or lower urge to pee
- Darker than normal urine
- Symptoms worsen or new symptoms appear
- Fever occurred after recent foreign travel
Should you treat a fever or let it go?
As fever is the natural protective response of the body in order to fight infections and pathogens, many professionals believe that suppressing fever (in most cases) may trouble the natural protective mechanisms of the body and prolong the recovery period.
A 2015 review paper published in the Journal of Thoracic Disease suggests that scientifically, it is still unknown whether all cases of fever should be treated or let go, as the medical studies conducted on this topic show contradicting suggestions. [11]
So should you suppress fever? Sometimes-yes, while other times- no. Consulting your healthcare provider about your specific symptoms is important in order to effectively improve your wellbeing and prevent physiological damage (caused either by the infection in the body or by the increased body temperature).