Fever and Chills Symptoms and Treatment

Fever and Chills Symptoms and Treatment

It may be difficult to appreciate the benefits when your body feels like it's on fire, but fever is a remarkable and extremely valuable defense mechanism. Fever itself is not an illness; it's a symptom of one. An elevated temperature is one of the first indications that foreign invaders have entered your body and that your immune system is responding to the threat. Perhaps more important is the direct role fever plays in bottling these intruders. 

A fever is often preceded by chills or a sensation of overwhelming coldness. Although the two would seem to have contrasting effects, fever and chills are actually part of the same process. When the body comes under attack, blood vessels constrict and retreat inward to prevent heat loss. The skin begins to feel colder, prompting the body to fire up its heat-generating mechanism called shivering. This rapid involuntary muscles movement quickly warms you up.

Although fever is the result of an infection. It can also be brought on by a number of other conditions. Fever is also a symptom of dehydration or anxiety, but just because you have a fever doesn't always mean there's something wrong with you.

Symptoms



  1. A higher than normal temperature (usually more than 98.6) with or without any symptoms. Possibly chills, especially while the fever is climbing.
  2. Fever (102 to 106) that comes on abruptly, possibly accompanied by chills, headache, malaise, diarrhea, runny nose, dry cough, sore throat or aches in muscles and joints.You may have flue or some other viral infection.
  3. Fever after several hours in the heat; you could have heat exhaustion.

Treatments


Ayurvedic Medicine


An Ayurvedic physician may recommend one of the following remedies, depending on the exact nature of your constitution; for general fever and chills, a powder or milk decoction of the root of Shatavari or an infusion or powder of Indian Basil; for fever and cold without chills, an infusion or powder of mint; for general fever, solifified starch from a decoction of guduchi.
 

Homeopathy


Homeopathy remedies are particularly good for fevers; homeopathy physicians find them more effective than conventional medications such as aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen. A practitioner might recommend the following; for a mild and moderate fever, Ferrum Phosphoricum and for acute fever Aconite or Belladonna; for fever with extreme chills, Bryonia.


Nutrition and Diet


Fever can leave you exhausted, so it's important to rebuild your body's defenses through a nutritious diet once the storm has passed. When your temperature return to normal, be sure to eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, proteins and whole grain cereals.  

Home Remedies


  1. Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids, including water, tea, fruit juice.
  2. Suck on cubes of ice or frozen fruit juice.
  3. Take a warm bath; water that is too cool can make you shiver, possibly raising your body temperature even more. Sponging off with water can also help, but be careful not to get chilled.
  4. Eat if you feel hungry, but don't force it. The old myth about starving a fever is just a myth.