First aid for viral fever

Fever is not a disease per se, but a symptom. It is often accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue, chills, diarrhoea, body ache, weakness and headache. In rare cases, very high fever can also lead to complications like coma, epilepsy and kidney failure, etc.

While there is no cure for viral fever, it is possible to manage some of the symptoms at home. Here are a few things you can try to control or reduce the fever:

• Taking adequate rest is the most important remedy when you have a viral fever: it allows your body to pour all its strength into fighting the infection.
• Gargling with warm salt water two to three times a day can offer some relief if you have symptoms like sore throat and throat pain.
• Using a decongestant may help with a blocked nose (nasal congestion) or a runny nose.
• You can also use zinc-based nasal spray and lozenges to relieve nose and throat symptoms, but be careful to use these sparingly.
• Drink lots of fluids.
• Wear loose-fitting clothes made with natural fabrics like cotton or muslin.
• Steam inhalation can also provide relief from a blocked nose and pain or pressure around the nose and eyes. You can take steam two to three times a day for 10-15 minutes.
• Using a humidifier in the room can also bring relief from symptoms such as congestion.
• Making an infusion tea with tulsi leaves could ease the throat and settle the stomach. Simply boil the leaves in clean water. You can also put cloves in the tea. Let the mixture simmer until it reduces to half the original volume. Sip slowly.
• Drink a soup made with chicken or your favourite vegetables or lentils to get energy and fluids into your body. Warm soup with black pepper could also soothe the throat. You can also drink bone broth.
• You can take over-the-counter medicines like paracetamol to reduce the fever if need be. However, remember that you can't give aspirin to children without the recommendation of your doctor.
• Rice water is another nutritious drink when you have a viral fever. Drink this especially if you have gastrointestinal issues like diarrhoea or vomiting. The soup will help prevent dehydration. Remember to also take oral rehydration salt solution throughout the day if you have loose motions along with the fever.

Antibiotics deactivate or kill bacteria. They are not effective against viruses. So don't take antibiotics against a viral fever, unless your doctor prescribes it for a secondary infection or some other reason.

Do not over-exert. Your body needs rest at this time. Try to sleep to speed up your recovery.

Do not go out—even to the office or school—if you have a viral fever. Many viruses can jump from one person to another, and you could pass on the infection to your friends and colleagues.

Avoid alcohol and coffee as these may cause dehydration. Instead, sip on water, kadha, fruit juices, soups throughout the day.

Don't skip meals, and don't eat spicy and fried foods either. Viral fever can give you a bad taste in the mouth—literally. It can also affect your appetite. But it is important that you eat nutritious foods at regular intervals. (Try drinking mosambi juice or sugarcane juice, or eating vegetable soup or bone broth, when you don't feel like eating anything else.)

If you smoke cigarettes, try to quit or at least cut back during this time, as cigarette smoke can irritate your throat further. (Read more: How to quit smoking)

Typically viral fever subsides on its own in a few days. See your doctor if:

• Your fever goes above 103 degrees Fahrenheit or 39.4 degrees Celsius. (Read more: What is normal body temperature?)
• You are having severe headaches
• Your fever doesn't go even after seven days
• You experience shortness of breath or you have difficulty breathing
• You are confused or you are having seizures
• You are getting blood in your stool
• You are having difficulty swallowing or you have very bad neck stiffness
• You experience painful urination
• You are drooling or dripping
• Your fever doesn’t go away even after taking ibuprofen and paracetamol.
• Someone in close contact with you has tested positive for COVID-19.

For fever in children, see a doctor:

• If the child is under three months old and is running a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or more
• If the child is between three and six months old and his or her body temperature is 102 degrees Fahrenheit or more
• If the child is under six months old, has a fever and is irritable and sleepy
• If the baby is aged six months to two years and is running a fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for more than 24 hours. Also, see a doctor if the child has a fever along with diarrhoea or cough. Diarrhoea is three or more loose stools in a day—if you suspect diarrhoea, start giving the child ORS mixed in clean water as early as possible to avoid dehydration.
• If the child is two years of age and has a fever along with other symptoms like a rash, lethargy, headache, stiff neck, irritability, listlessness (doesn't want to play or respond to things that normally get him or her excited), diarrhoea or vomiting.
• If the child has a seizure (convulsions)
• If the child's body temperature goes over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, rush to a hospital as fever this high may cause a seizure

Please note: First-aid should not be seen as an alternative to a doctor's visit. Some types of first-aid require prior training—please do not give first aid if you don't have adequate training in it. This article is for your information only.