A feverish state is always accompanied by feelings of faintness, pain and discomfort. Yet, it is because of a fever that the body’s immune system is activated and that it can fight the outside agents responsible for diseases.
Fever is characterized by an increase in body temperature. It can occur in all warm-blooded living beings and in humans, this elevation may exceed 40 ° C. Given that the normal temperature of the human body ranges from 36.5 ° C to 37.5 ° C, fever refers to all body temperatures equal to or greater than 38 ° C. One can check this temperature by using a thermometer on various parts of the body, including the rectum, armpits and mouth. Rectal temperature is the most reliable for children younger than 5 years old. Beyond this age, it is recommended to take the temperature in the mouth.
Although fever commonly occurs in infants and young children, adults are not spared. In fact, fever is a reaction of the body’s immune system. Faced with the attack of various bacteria and other parasites that spread chemical compounds that are potentially harmful to the human body, the white blood cells, which are responsible for the body’s defence, will react by releasing substances called pyrogens. This then results in an increase in body temperature. This reaction inhibits, or completely eliminates, the action of germs and parasites that are unable to survive at high temperatures. Sometimes this increase in temperature is due to significant efforts carried out during a period of high heat, overexposure to the sun, or a hormonal disorder. But it can also be caused by the side-effects of certain medications.
The rise in temperature beyond 38 ° C is the main symptom of fever. But, depending on the case, other symptoms often appear in addition to the change in temperature. Sometimes, fever may manifest itself by a sudden rise in body temperature, after a great thirst accompanied by great anxiety and dry skin. Fever may also manifest itself by a succession of pallor and redness, with a temperature close to 38.5 ° C. Another type of symptoms is heavy fatigue accompanied by dry mouth, a feeling of thirst and shaking chills. Sometimes, aches, heavy sweating and quivers occur in feverish individuals. To keep the body at a high temperature, a region of the brain called the hypothalamus contract the muscles, thus resulting in quivers. Then, for the temperature to return to its normal level, the heat will be released through perspiration. In very rare cases, clammy perspiration and a foul smell may emanate from the patient’s body. Furthermore, fever may be accompanied by convulsions in some children, especially babies under 3 months old.
Homoeopathy can provide several remedies for fever, although they depend on the condition’s main cause. However, these therapies are only intended to relieve pain and discomfort caused by the rise in temperature. It is important to take the granules at least one hour before or after the consumption of coffee and tobacco. Thus, in the case of fever without heavy sweating or intense agitation, it is advisable to take three granules of Aconite 15 CH every half hour. Most of the time, this type of fever is nothing more than a simple cold snap. Instead of Aconite, Belladonna 9 CH proves to be more appropriate when the fever seems to be the result of a sunstroke or allergy.
A warning sign of a possible inflammation, such as nasopharyngitis, bronchitis or an ear infection, fever can sometimes manifest itself by temperatures close to 38.5 ° C, shining eyes and alternating pale and red skin. In this specific case, taking three granules of Ferrum Phosphoricum 5 CH every half hour is the most suitable solution. A flu-like condition frequently results in a fever that is accompanied by chills, intense thirst and a great need of rest. In this case, the homoeopathic solution consists of taking 3 granules of Bryonia 5 CH every half hour. When viscous and foul-smelling sweat accompanies the rise in body temperature, taking three granules of Mercurius solubilis 5 CH every half hour is indicated.
In the presence of a fever, it is essential to find the source of the ailment. Sometimes, consulting a doctor is necessary to find the disease in question. In children, fever that lasts longer than 2 days and exceeds 39 ° C always requires medical attention. If the temperature goes above 40 ° C, the patient should be examined by a doctor, regardless of his or her age.
The appearance of certain symptoms during fever should also be considered as warning signs, even if the body temperature is still below 40 ° C. Among these signs, one can include red bleeding spots located under the skin, swelling, pain and red skin, severe headaches accompanied by neck stiffness (signs of possible meningitis), a burning sensation in the genitals (that may hide a possible urinary tract infection), quivers, and coughing followed by breathing difficulties that may be the forewarning sign of a respiratory infection. When the fever is very resistant and does not improve despite the various treatments that have been undertaken, it is advisable for the patient to always see a doctor, even if none of the above-citedsymptoms appear.
• Aconitum Napellus
• Apis Mellifica
• Belladonna
• Bryonia Alba
• Cedron
• Chininum Sulfuricum
• Ferrum Phosphoricum
• Stramonium
• Sulphur
• Flu
Good to know: Homoeopathy treats fever by reducing its symptoms without interrupting the body’s ongoing immune process. Thanks to several homoeopathic remedies, of which the dosages have been carefully determined ahead of time, fever can generally be treated through self-medication, except in certain cases requiring further medical attention.
