Synergy Wellness asks, "Are fevers good or bad?"

Dr. Laura Vanloon and Synergy Wellness of Birmingham, MI truly care and are grateful to be a portal of health and wellness information. For more information about Dr. Vanloon or her practice, visit us on the web at www.drvanloon.com!

As unbelievable as it may be, fevers can actually be good for you or your child! It is your body's natural defense against infection. Our immune system raises our internal temperature as a means of fighting off viruses and bacteria that have entered our body. There are thousands of illnesses that would cause a fever; examples are the flu, colds, ear infections, chicken pox, pneumonia, bladder, kidney or prostate infections and it is common for children to experience a fever after receiving vaccinations. For many people and especially parents, a fever can be a scary thing. I'm hoping with this blog to shed some light on the facts of a fever, and help you understand why it may not be in your best interest to use a drug to suppress it.

Your child can have a fever of up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit without need for distress. Yes, you read that right. 105 degrees. Truly, it is only when you have preexisting brain damage or if your infant is under 4 months of age that you run a risk of damage to the brain by a fever. (However, it is important to take into account the overall health prior to the fever before deciding when traditional medical intervention is warranted ~ if your or your child's health is less than ideal, it would not be appropriate to "ride out" a higher fever as it would be in an otherwise healthy individual.) Fever is truly is a symptom of an infection. Your body is obviously fighting vigilantly when you have a fever, and the last thing you want to do is to get rid of your body's natural defense by way of taking a fever-reducer like acetaminophen or aspirin. Think of it this way ~ a smoke alarm going off (you have a fever) to alert you to a fire in your home (virus or bacteria in your body). Taking a fever-reducer is like taking the battery out of the smoke alarm to quiet it down. The fire still burns, now you just don't hear the warning. The fever is actually heating up your body to kill off the bacteria or virus that has invaded your body ~ it's really a beautiful design, you just have to let it happen!

There are some things you can do to help alleviate some of the discomfort of a fever without erasing its positive effects. Make sure you're drinking plenty of water, and make sure your electrolytes are up. Anytime you are dehydrated, it's harder for your body to cope with the stress of an illness. Also during a fever, it is helpful to eat less than you normally would. Your liver is working overtime to clear your body of the toxin that is causing the fever, and adding digestion increases the burden on your system. As a later measure, you can apply a cool compress to your forehead. I would avoid taking a cool bath; this can make you shiver, which would actually increase your body temperature. Most importantly ~ don't freak out! Relax and let your body do what it was built to do.

Health and happiness,
Dr. Laura Vanloon

**This article is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice. As in any case, please consult your chiropractor or healer of choice if you have any concerns, need more information or simply need your fears eased. It is not our intent to diagnose or treat any condition, and we do not endorse self-diagnosis or treatment.