The Importance of Fever
Working with your body not against it
Your immune system is complex, with many cells performing many different functions, and we can only guess as to how it all works in harmony. Optimal nutrition is the factor that you can utilize to keep everything functioning as it should. This means the type of things you have read a million times –
stay away from processed foods,
eat a wide variety of whole foods in the their natural state
cook with single ingredients rather than prepackaged foods
maintain regular exercise
get out in the sunshine and out in nature to balance the mental and emotional aspects of your body
When you get sick, with an acute process, you may feel uncomfortable and miserable. This is your body telling you to slow down, stop, rest and nourish yourself. It is important to allow your body this opportunity to detoxify and not suppress the symptoms it is using to tell you what it needs. Suppressing the acute symptoms has the ability to push the disease process deeper into the body, to create chronic disease.
A fever is the process that stimulates the necessary cells to do their job of clearing out what is making you sick. A fever is a sign that your immune system is healthy. Reaching for anti-pyretics (Tylenol, Paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc) as soon as the body temperature elevates just a little, hampers the immune system doing its job. Lower fevers of 38 – 39oC can safely be allowed to run for 24 hours before using medication to lower the temperature. Treat the fever with plenty of fluids, such as water with a pinch of salt, fruit juice and especially chicken broth. Fevers become dangerous over 40oC, this is when you may run the risk of febrile convulsions and requires professional attention.
If you are one of these people that says “I never get a fever”, well unfortunately this may indicate that your immune system is compromised and you are probably dealing with a chronic disease state. A system that is burdened by low grade systemic inflammation is not healthy enough to mount an episode of acute fever. When engaging in treatment for your chronic state, the aim is to bring back the ability for your body to manifest a fever.
Disclaimer: This information is supplied for educational purposes only. Sources include published literature and anecdotal experiences of myself and other men, women and animals. The information is not intended for the treatment of any particular individual person or disease. If you are suffering any particular complaint please consult professional help.