You’ve been there before—tossing and turning in bed and burning up thinking that you could fry an egg on your head. Or hugging tight to the blankets because you’re chilled and shivering. Sweating and achy, you can’t wait for the fever to break.

What is a fever?

A fever (also known as pyrexia or ague) is the body’s response to infection or inflammation. It’s not a disease, but rather a symptom that results from your internal body temperature rising above the normal level (98.6F orally). For an oral temperature, you may be a few degrees lower or higher than 98.6F, but for a rectal temperature, any thing higher than 100.4F is considered a fever. Usually a rectal temperature is 1 degree Fahrenheit higher than an oral temperature. If your temperature under your arm (axillary) is over 99.0F, a fever is present.

Fever Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of a fever vary depending on what’s causing the fever. Some symptoms of a common fever include the following:

• Flushed appearance
• Chills, shivering
• Sweating
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Overall weakness or fatigue
• Lack of appetite
• Dehydration

High fevers ranging between 103 and 106 F, can cause:

• Irritability
• Confusion
• Hallucinations
• Convulsions
• Brain damage

Fever Causes

There are many different conditions than can cause a fever such as:

• Types of infectious disease—influenza, common cold, mononucleosis, gastroenteritis, malaria, HIV
• Diseases of the immune system—lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, sarcoidosis
• Skin inflammations—pimples, acne, boils, abscess
• Cancers—leukemia, lymphoma
• Other conditions—diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, silicosis, malnutrition

Home Remedies and Tips

Drink your fluids—try to drink as much water as possible to replace fluid loss and to bring down body temperature.

Avoid iron and zinc supplements when you have a fever—zinc won’t be absorbed by the body when you have a fever and iron will create tension.

Rest as much as possible and avoid strenuous activity.

Eat a liquid diet—avoid solid food and any foods that are heavy or fried.

Take a cool bath for 5 to 10 minutes.

If the fever is 102F or under, let it run its course.

If a child has a fever, do not let him have aspirin. Reduce his fever with cold baths.

Fresh pineapple is a natural anti-inflammatory and can not only fight a fever, but can also prevent dehydration.

Make a basil tea—mix 1 teaspoon of basil with ¼ teaspoon black pepper and steep in a hot cup of water. Add 1 teaspoon of honey and drink three times a day.

Peel and cut a potatoe into slices and lay them on your forehead and stomach for about half an hour.

–Nolan

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