I'm burning for you
April 18, 2011 11:07 AM Subscribe
help me break a fever asap!
I'm about to enter one the biggest weeks of my professional life - something I've been looking forward to (and depending on, financially speaking) for months. Wouldn't you know it, I caught some kind of bug whereby I'm running a 102+ degree fever at night. I'm doing acetaminophen (tylenol during the day, theraflu at night) and lots of liquids in general It has been about 3 days now, I'm feeling slightly better but nowhere near where I need to be. So - what are your sure-fire, can't miss, fast-acting fever breakers?!?
I'm about to enter one the biggest weeks of my professional life - something I've been looking forward to (and depending on, financially speaking) for months. Wouldn't you know it, I caught some kind of bug whereby I'm running a 102+ degree fever at night. I'm doing acetaminophen (tylenol during the day, theraflu at night) and lots of liquids in general It has been about 3 days now, I'm feeling slightly better but nowhere near where I need to be. So - what are your sure-fire, can't miss, fast-acting fever breakers?!?
Assuming you have a minor ailment, a fever needs to run its time-limited course before it will break. By knocking out your body's fever mechanism with acetaminophen, you are prolonging the process.
That said, an unexplained moderately high fever lasting more than three days is definitely a good reason to visit your doctor. You could have some sort of untreated infection that will not get better on its own.
posted by Nomyte at 11:13 AM on April 18, 2011
That said, an unexplained moderately high fever lasting more than three days is definitely a good reason to visit your doctor. You could have some sort of untreated infection that will not get better on its own.
posted by Nomyte at 11:13 AM on April 18, 2011
Perhaps go to the doctor and see if you need antibiotics?
Make sure you're getting enough rest too!
posted by astapasta24 at 11:13 AM on April 18, 2011
Make sure you're getting enough rest too!
posted by astapasta24 at 11:13 AM on April 18, 2011
Anything much past 100 is doctor time. 102 is definitely in that range of "see a doctor." You should go see your primary care doc or hit up an urgent care.
Otherwise, I've always had better luck with ibuprofen instead of acetaminophen to kick a fever. And rest, fluids, rest and rest.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 11:22 AM on April 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
Otherwise, I've always had better luck with ibuprofen instead of acetaminophen to kick a fever. And rest, fluids, rest and rest.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 11:22 AM on April 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
Really no way to "break" a fever. It's usually (but not always) the sign of an infection somewhere in your body. Acetaminophen (tylenol) is a good anti-fever medicine, as are medicines like motrin/ibuprofen.
You should know that Theraflu contains acetaminophen itself, so occasionally people can overdose on Tylenol, which is a big no-no.
Glad that you're feeling better, but of course anyone with a prolonged fever, or night fevers/sweats, or cyclical fevers should be evaluated by a physician.
This is not medical advice to you or anyone else, just medical knowledge/education, and I am not your doctor, and you are not my patient, and we have no doctor-patient relationship.
posted by gramcracker at 11:26 AM on April 18, 2011
You should know that Theraflu contains acetaminophen itself, so occasionally people can overdose on Tylenol, which is a big no-no.
Glad that you're feeling better, but of course anyone with a prolonged fever, or night fevers/sweats, or cyclical fevers should be evaluated by a physician.
This is not medical advice to you or anyone else, just medical knowledge/education, and I am not your doctor, and you are not my patient, and we have no doctor-patient relationship.
posted by gramcracker at 11:26 AM on April 18, 2011
So - what are your sure-fire, can't miss, fast-acting fever breakers?!?
Does such a thing exist? If there were a safe and easy way to break (as in, end) a fever before it runs its natural course, wouldn't everyone do that all the time? I think Nomyte has it right. The most you can do is potentially alleviate the symptoms. I agree with all those who say it's time to visit a doctor.
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 11:27 AM on April 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
Does such a thing exist? If there were a safe and easy way to break (as in, end) a fever before it runs its natural course, wouldn't everyone do that all the time? I think Nomyte has it right. The most you can do is potentially alleviate the symptoms. I agree with all those who say it's time to visit a doctor.
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 11:27 AM on April 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
If you don't have any contraindications (e.g. gastrointestinal issues, kidney problems), then you can combine the acetaminophen and ibuprofen (or another NSAID).
However, you should really see a doctor.
posted by jedicus at 11:31 AM on April 18, 2011
However, you should really see a doctor.
posted by jedicus at 11:31 AM on April 18, 2011
Definitely go see a doctor.
Also, my doctor said that for a normal cold/flu bug I should expect to see my fever break around 3 or 4 days.
posted by Zophi at 11:35 AM on April 18, 2011
Also, my doctor said that for a normal cold/flu bug I should expect to see my fever break around 3 or 4 days.
posted by Zophi at 11:35 AM on April 18, 2011
aspirin always breaks a fever for me for a few hours. but if i'm really sick it'll just come back.
posted by hollisimo at 11:49 AM on April 18, 2011
posted by hollisimo at 11:49 AM on April 18, 2011
The fever is a symptom of your body fighting something (usually). By using fever-reducing medicines, you're treating the symptom of the symptom and not actually the cause. If you absolutely must be at your best ASAP, you should see a doctor to determine whether or not you've got something that needs a prescription or just time.
posted by cooker girl at 11:57 AM on April 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by cooker girl at 11:57 AM on April 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
sleep. sleep for as long as you can, as often as you can.
posted by Jon_Evil at 12:02 PM on April 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Jon_Evil at 12:02 PM on April 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: 1. Go see a doctor! Make sure you're not cooking your brain!
2. After you've made sure you're not in danger, here's a traditional Chinese medicine method I use to consistently break fevers in myself and others (so take it or leave it based on how you feel about TCM and alternative stuff):
Get a couple of stones that can fit in your hand. Boil the stones. Pull one out, and wrap it in a towel.
Fold the towel over itself several times so that you can hold it against your skin and feel the heat for several minutes without burning your skin. (usually that's like 2-3 towel layers, more or less depending on towel thickness).
Hold the hot stone (wrapped in towel) to your arm on Large Intestine 11 for 2-3 minutes. Then do the other arm as well.
Unwrap a layer or two of towel as it cools down. If it gets too cool (sorta warm) then switch it with the other stone(s) you've boiled.
Next hold to Stomach 36 on your leg for 2-3 minutes, and the other leg.
Definitely check your skin as you're doing this! Don't burn yourself.
This method will usually force you to start sweating heavily and then the fever usually subsides shortly after. You'll still probably feel pretty weak at least another day or two.
posted by yeloson at 12:04 PM on April 18, 2011
2. After you've made sure you're not in danger, here's a traditional Chinese medicine method I use to consistently break fevers in myself and others (so take it or leave it based on how you feel about TCM and alternative stuff):
Get a couple of stones that can fit in your hand. Boil the stones. Pull one out, and wrap it in a towel.
Fold the towel over itself several times so that you can hold it against your skin and feel the heat for several minutes without burning your skin. (usually that's like 2-3 towel layers, more or less depending on towel thickness).
Hold the hot stone (wrapped in towel) to your arm on Large Intestine 11 for 2-3 minutes. Then do the other arm as well.
Unwrap a layer or two of towel as it cools down. If it gets too cool (sorta warm) then switch it with the other stone(s) you've boiled.
Next hold to Stomach 36 on your leg for 2-3 minutes, and the other leg.
Definitely check your skin as you're doing this! Don't burn yourself.
This method will usually force you to start sweating heavily and then the fever usually subsides shortly after. You'll still probably feel pretty weak at least another day or two.
posted by yeloson at 12:04 PM on April 18, 2011
Nthing doctor. My mom is a no-nonsense nurse whose basic prescription for minor illness is "eh, you'll get over it," and even she would tell me to go to the doctor for a 102 degree fever lasting several days.
posted by something something at 12:10 PM on April 18, 2011
posted by something something at 12:10 PM on April 18, 2011
Response by poster: just to be clear, I don't have an uninterrupted 102 degree fever. Right now, for example, I'm down to 99.1. I feel sort of ambiguously ill, but no real concrete symptoms. I'm panicking a bit because of the imminent work commitments, that's all...
posted by fingers_of_fire at 12:37 PM on April 18, 2011
posted by fingers_of_fire at 12:37 PM on April 18, 2011
My professor, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist said that there is data showing that NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen) and acetominophen actually prolong the duration of illness and inhibit recovery. He said that in most cases it doesn't make a huge difference, and that if someone is experiencing chills or febrile seizures, reducing their temperature will go a long way towards making them more comfortable. But besides improving patient comfort, reducing the fever will not help recovery, and may hinder it.
I've also been told by two pediatrics professors that fevers up to 104 are quite common in kids, and not a huge matter of concern. (The underlying illness may or may not be serious, but the temperature isn't a problem in and of itself.) Brains don't really "cook" at 102 degrees.
On the other hand, if you've had a fever for more than a day, you should go see a doctor. They might be able to give you something to fix what's ailing you. In the mean time, you've been taking good care of yourself by drinking lots of liquids. And make sure to get plenty of sleep. It might be worth taking a day off to sleep in and recover rather than trying to push yourself to keep going.
posted by ladypants at 1:14 PM on April 18, 2011
I've also been told by two pediatrics professors that fevers up to 104 are quite common in kids, and not a huge matter of concern. (The underlying illness may or may not be serious, but the temperature isn't a problem in and of itself.) Brains don't really "cook" at 102 degrees.
On the other hand, if you've had a fever for more than a day, you should go see a doctor. They might be able to give you something to fix what's ailing you. In the mean time, you've been taking good care of yourself by drinking lots of liquids. And make sure to get plenty of sleep. It might be worth taking a day off to sleep in and recover rather than trying to push yourself to keep going.
posted by ladypants at 1:14 PM on April 18, 2011
In line with what's been mentioned, I've always been led to understand that fevers happen for a reason; they're the body's way of killing something that's invaded, and the only real way to get better is to let the fever run its course (i.e. bringing the fever down artificially thwarts the body's attempt to rectify the problem).
My dad's old-country recommendation was always to drink a cup of linden tea, then wrap up in a blanket -- both, apparently, to aid the fever in raising body temp far enough to kill the invading microbes. I haven't done it in a while, but it's worked for me in the past.
posted by the luke parker fiasco at 1:31 PM on April 18, 2011
My dad's old-country recommendation was always to drink a cup of linden tea, then wrap up in a blanket -- both, apparently, to aid the fever in raising body temp far enough to kill the invading microbes. I haven't done it in a while, but it's worked for me in the past.
posted by the luke parker fiasco at 1:31 PM on April 18, 2011
Keep in mind that even if your fever is "gone" via the use of NSAIDS, etc., you are still sick. Many parents like to send their children to school on a dose of Tylenol, claiming that they're not contagious. (Ha ha ha!)
Nthing the advice to see a doctor. They might be able to give you something that keeps it from getting worse. Hope you feel better soon.
posted by corey flood at 2:45 PM on April 18, 2011
Nthing the advice to see a doctor. They might be able to give you something that keeps it from getting worse. Hope you feel better soon.
posted by corey flood at 2:45 PM on April 18, 2011
wow, all of you guys seriously see a doctor every single time you have a fever? No wonder I have a ton of business!!
guess it might be the fact that my mother was a doctor and I am now also a doctor, but I've never in my life that I can remember seen a doctor for a fever. I just take Tylenol or ibuprofen and give it time. But that's because I've never had a fever from anything but a cold or the flu, and in most cases, there isn't much doctors can do for colds and flus that isn't a recommendation for medicine you can get over the counter at the drugstore (antihistamines, or cough syrup, or other symptomatic treatments), or hot tea and a day in bed. There are certainly things that can cause fevers that do require a trip to the doctor, but to say that all fevers are doctor-worthy is a generalization.
Anyway OP, IANYD, but the best way to stay fever-free is to alternate Tylenol and ibuprofen (you can take each one every 6 hours, so you could alternate every 3 hours, for example). I wouldn't worry about the whole 'prolonging the illness' thing people are talking about here - you need to feel well enough so you can take care of your commitments.
Many thanks to ladypants for debunking the myth that a fever cooks your brain. I got concerned when I saw that highlighted as the "correct answer". Here's a link with more information about fever. It's for children, so I'd just add that for adults, Tylenol is every 6 hours, not every 4 hours, if you're taking the maximum strength dose - and be aware as others have pointed out that other cold medications contain acetaminophen.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 9:03 PM on April 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
guess it might be the fact that my mother was a doctor and I am now also a doctor, but I've never in my life that I can remember seen a doctor for a fever. I just take Tylenol or ibuprofen and give it time. But that's because I've never had a fever from anything but a cold or the flu, and in most cases, there isn't much doctors can do for colds and flus that isn't a recommendation for medicine you can get over the counter at the drugstore (antihistamines, or cough syrup, or other symptomatic treatments), or hot tea and a day in bed. There are certainly things that can cause fevers that do require a trip to the doctor, but to say that all fevers are doctor-worthy is a generalization.
Anyway OP, IANYD, but the best way to stay fever-free is to alternate Tylenol and ibuprofen (you can take each one every 6 hours, so you could alternate every 3 hours, for example). I wouldn't worry about the whole 'prolonging the illness' thing people are talking about here - you need to feel well enough so you can take care of your commitments.
Many thanks to ladypants for debunking the myth that a fever cooks your brain. I got concerned when I saw that highlighted as the "correct answer". Here's a link with more information about fever. It's for children, so I'd just add that for adults, Tylenol is every 6 hours, not every 4 hours, if you're taking the maximum strength dose - and be aware as others have pointed out that other cold medications contain acetaminophen.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 9:03 PM on April 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
When I had strep throat - and a 103 degree fever, the doctor told me that I could take acetaminophen and ibuprophen at the same time. It helped a lot with the fever.
posted by The Light Fantastic at 10:38 PM on April 18, 2011
posted by The Light Fantastic at 10:38 PM on April 18, 2011
IANAD. But I have had great results with vinegar.
Mix 3 teaspoons of (organic) apple cider vinegar in 8 ounces of water. You can add a little honey if the taste puts you off. Drink a glass of this 3 times during the day. You should see a result in 24 hours.
There's also a fever remedy involving the application of vinegar to the feet. I've never tried this myself, but if you're game, here's the how-to.
posted by Paris Elk at 12:36 AM on April 19, 2011
Mix 3 teaspoons of (organic) apple cider vinegar in 8 ounces of water. You can add a little honey if the taste puts you off. Drink a glass of this 3 times during the day. You should see a result in 24 hours.
There's also a fever remedy involving the application of vinegar to the feet. I've never tried this myself, but if you're game, here's the how-to.
posted by Paris Elk at 12:36 AM on April 19, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by jph at 11:12 AM on April 18, 2011