Symptoms:
A fever is an elevation of body temperature above normal. A fever is not a disease, but a symptom that an infection or disease is present. Fevers are common in a wide variety of diseases, from mild to severe.

Symptoms include headache, flushed face, body aches, nausea, little or no appetite, and sometimes diarrhea or vomiting. Skin may be warm with some perspiration, or hot and dry. The elevated temperature is an effort by the body to burn out infection, and the perspiration helps eliminate toxins. Therefore a partial fever may be helpful to the body in fighting the infection. If the fever does not get too high, let it run its course. Many enzymes, antibodies and white blood cell responses are better during slightly elevated temperatures.

Normal is generally considered to be within a range of 97o to 99o F., but it can vary among individuals. If it is 100o F. or above, it is a fever. One should not have undue concern unless the body temperature rises above 102o F. in adults or 103o F. in children. Then call a doctor immediately.

When body temperature is not more than 5o above normal, it does not completely interfere with body functions. But levels above 105o F. are dangerous; at 106o F., convulsions are common; at 108o F., irreversible brain damage frequently results.

Treatment:
• If the fever gets too high (above 102o F. in adults or 103o F. in children), immediately immerse the body in tepid water to lower the temperature.

• Other suggestions would include: ice packs on the forehead, running cool water over the wrists, cool baths and drinking certain herb teas, such as feverfew, cinchona bark, and/or white willow. Others include meadow-sweet, sea buckthorn, European holly, and mugwort. A poultice can be made from echinacea root to lower fever. Linden tea can induce sweating to break a fever. Black elder tea is also good.

• Keep in mind that the fever is not the infection; the infection must be solved, as well as the fever.

• Vitamin C and lemon juice are especially helpful. Other nutrients include vitamin A, B complex, B1, D, calcium, potassium, and sodium.

• There is a loss of protein during a fever. Caloric needs are higher, and metabolism is increased. Greater fluid intake is required. As fluid is lost, sodium and potassium are lost. Drink plenty of distilled water; also fruit and vegetable juices. It is important that solid food be avoided until the fever reduces.

• Nutrient-rich juices are especially helpful: beet juice, carrot juice, etc.

• For a feverish child, embed a grape or strawberry in a cube of frozen fruit juice, and let him suck on it.

• Never give aspirin to children. It can trigger Reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal neurological illness.

• He needs lots of oxygen. Make sure there is a current of air in the room; open the window. Get smokers out of the house.

• Wet compresses help reduce temperature. Remove them and apply new ones as he heats the old ones. Apply them to the forehead, wrists, and calves. Keep the rest of the body covered.

• Cool tap water can be sponged on the skin to dissipate excess heat. Wring out a sponge and wipe one section at a time, keeping the rest of the body covered. Because of rapid evaporation, you will not need to dry him with a towel.

• Some people shiver when they have a fever. In such cases, immerse them in a tub of warm water. This will also lower temperature. For babies, give room-temperature baths. Sandwich them between wet towels, which are changed every 15 minutes.

• If very hot, remove more covers and clothes; if chilly, add them.

• When signs of fever are gone, be sure to prevent chilling.

• Putting too many clothes on a child can actually cause a fever.