Fever

Normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees F. (37 degrees C.) but can vary greatly in normal conditions. Some people have lower baseline body temperature and others higher. Any temperature less than 100.3 F. is considered normal for most children. Therefore most low temperature response that do not distress the child do not require a medical evaluation.  Temperatures in excess of 100.4F. are considered abnormal and deserve attention especially in infants younger than 3 months.

Common causes of fever are colds, flu and other infections. Most often the illness is self resolving and the fever is the body’s normal healthy response. I usually do not worry about any fever that is less than 104.5F. (40.3C.).  Fever over 104.5F. are dangerous because excess heat denatures (inactivates) enzymes and brain damage may occur. If the fever is related to a known illness, then monitoring the fever over time is necessary. Some illness do not resolve so quickly and the body will still have need for fever. If the nature of the illness is unknown then any fever lasting more than 3 days or higher than 104.5F should be thoroughly investigated.

The most common allopathic treatment for fever is acetamenophin or ibuprophen. Aspirin should be avoided because it can react with some viral infections and can cause a serious condition called Reye’s Syndrome. Reye’s Syndrome causes inflammation of the brain and liver degeneration and can be fatal.

Thankfully there are other ways to lower fever and homeopathic remedies that can help. Putting the person in a bathtub of warm water and sponging them will cause evaporation and lower the body temperature. This can bring relief when the fever is contributing to overall discomfort.

There are many remedies that have indications in fever. But fever in itself is not usually the cause for prescription. It is the addition symptoms and observations of the person that will lead to the correct remedy. Look for mental symptoms, thirst, body color, restlessness and other symptoms of the malady to come to a remedy for fever. Good questions to ask the client are: Does the fever alternate with chills? Does wrapping up help the fever or does cool air feel best? Is the fever dry or is the person perspiring? Is there something that happened to them before the fever appeared? Is there any pattern to the fever?

Remedies for common simple fever include (but by no means is complete);

• Aconite – After exposure to cold, dry air, wind especially after perspiring. Skin is hot and dry. Very thirsty. Restless.
• Belladonna – Face red. Throbbing headache. Head hot and feet are cold. Sweating on covered parts. Delirium with the fever. Hallucinations.
• Bryonia – Dryness of mouth, lips. Cough with little or no expectoration. Pain in the chest with cough. The person wants to lie down and be motionless. Great thirst for large quantities of water at long intervals. Stool dry, hard. Constipation.
• Gelsemium – The person will be drowsy and sleepy. Eyes half open. Confusion and cannot think straight. Wants to be still and quiet, does not want to talk or have others around.
• Mercurius Vivus – Creeping chilliness. Chills alternate with heat. Profuse sweat during heat that does not bring relief. Tongue soft, flabby with indentations of the teeth.
• Nux Vomica – Great heat. Whole body burning hot yet any movement brings on the chill. After any over indulgence. Inharmonious, ineffectual urging.
• Pulsatilla – Constant chilliness even in a warm room. Mouth dry yet thirst-less.
• Pyrogeneum – Taste putrid. Very restless. Temperature oscillating high, then low then high again. Pulse abnormal, quick and out of proportion to the temperature. Or high temperature and low pulse.
• Rhus Toxicodendron – When caused by getting wet. Cold rainy weather exposure. Whole body painful. Great restlessness, must constantly change positions, which gives some relief.

In the Complete 2009 Repertory there are 786 remedies under Fever, Heat; GENERAL. Because fever is such a general symptom, you must take the case of the person and prescribe to the whole. Particulars about fever are important as well as other symptoms of the illness. In and of itself, fever is the best way for the natural immune response to be expressed. Encourage those suffering fever  to not suppress it. Educate them in the importance of the fever and how it is helpful. By getting good rubrics and prescribing accurately not only will fever resolve but so will the illness. Homeopathy again can come to the rescue.

For more details you can contact Dr.A.N.Das on 91-9337404283 or Mail at-drandas28@gmail.com.