Viral Fever: Home Remedies for Children and Adults

The article was professionally consulted with Master, Doctor Nguyen Thi Nhat - Infectious Diseases Doctor - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

Viral fever is a fever caused by a viral infection. Viruses are microscopic germs that are easily spread from one person to another. While the virus is active until the end, many people do not know what to do with viral fever to control symptoms.

When you contract a viral condition, such as a cold or the flu, your immune system responds by being overactive. Part of this response may be to raise body temperature to help the body fight viruses and other germs.
Unlike bacterial infections, viral diseases will not respond to antibiotics. Instead, most cases have to wait until the virus finishes its attack on its own. This process can take anywhere from a few days to a week or longer, depending on the type of infection.

The normal body temperature of most people is about 98.6°F (37°C). If it rises by 1 degree or more, it is considered a fever. Fevers are usually not a cause for concern. But a high fever can pose a number of health risks.
2.1. Viral fever in children High fever in young children can be more dangerous than in adults. Call the doctor if:
Children 0 - 3 months of age: Rectal (anal) temperature is 100.4°F (38°C) or higher Children 3 - 6 months of age: Heat rectal temperature above 102°F (39°C) and irritable or sleepy child Children 6 - 24 months of age: Rectal temperature above 102°F (39°C) for more than one day. If your child has other symptoms, such as a rash, cough or diarrhea, you should call the doctor sooner. For children 2 years of age and older, call the doctor if your child has a persistent fever that rises above 104°F (40°C). Viral fever in children with the following signs should also seek medical attention, including:
Your child seems lethargic, unusual, and irritable, or has other serious symptoms The fever persists for more than 3 days Fever unresponsive to medication Unable to maintain eye contact Unable to urinate.

2.2. Adult viral fever Fever can also pose a risk to adults in some cases. See your doctor for a fever of 103°F (39°C) or higher, unresponsive to medication, or a fever that persists for more than 3 days. Also seek treatment if the adult viral fever is accompanied by the following symptoms:
Severe headache Rash Sensitivity to bright light Neck stiffness Vomiting frequently Shortness of breath Chest or abdominal pain Convulsions or seizures.

3.1. Supplemental Fluids Viral fever causes your body to be much warmer than usual, leading to sweating to cool down. But this can cause dehydration. Try to drink as much as possible when you have a viral fever to replenish lost fluids. It is not necessary to only drink water, but can be supplemented with the following types of water:
Juice Sports drinks Broth Soup Decaffeinated tea. Babies and toddlers can have drinks specially formulated with electrolytes, such as Pedialyte. You can buy these drinks at a pharmacy or online, as well as make your own electrolyte drinks at home.
3.2. Get plenty of rest Viral fever is a sign that your body is working hard to fight the infection. So try to rest as much as possible. Even if you can't spend the day in bed, physical activity should be avoided as much as possible. Try to get 8-9 hours of sleep every night. During the day, only do things that are really necessary slowly and gently.
It's best to suspend your exercise routine, otherwise your body temperature may rise even higher.
3.3. Taking over-the-counter medications To better control a fever, many people often take fever-reducing medications. You also need to continue to get enough rest, even if you feel better a few hours after taking the medicine.
Some common over-the-counter fever reducers include:
acetaminophen (Tylenol, Children's Tylenol) ibuprofen (Advil, Children's Advil, Motrin) aspirin naproxen (Aleve).

Before switching to an OTC fever reducer, keep these safety tips in mind:
Never give aspirin to children, as it can greatly increase the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare condition but very serious Do not take more than the amount recommended by the manufacturer. Because it can lead to stomach bleeding, liver damage or kidney problems Record how long you take your over-the-counter medication to make sure you don't take too much in 24 hours. 3.4. Try Herbal Remedies Sometimes people also try herbal remedies to treat a fever. Remember that these supplements have been shown to improve fever in animals. There is no credible evidence that they actually work in humans. In particular, the safety of herbs for children is unknown. Therefore, it is best to avoid using these measures to overcome viral fever in children.
It's also important to note that the Food and Drug Administration does not monitor the quality of supplements and dietary supplements in the same way as drugs. Consult your doctor before trying any supplement and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
3.5. Cooling the body You can lower your body temperature by making the temperature around your body cooler. But be careful not to abuse this way. If you start to shiver, stop immediately, because shivering can raise a fever.
Things you can do to safely cool down include:
Soak in warm water and wipe all over your body Wear pajamas or light clothing Try to avoid using too many blankets when you have chills Drink plenty of cool water or room temperature water Use a fan to circulate the air. Viral fever in children and adults is not usually a cause for concern. Most viruses will stop attacking on their own and you will recover naturally after a short time. But if you notice unusual symptoms or a fever that doesn't go away after a day or so, it's best to see your doctor.

Vinmec International General Hospital is a high-quality medical examination address when receiving and handling all health-related problems. The hospital has many different specialties, each with its own strengths, when fully converging a team of leading medical experts combined with modern machinery to help bring the best treatment results. for patients.
Therefore, Vinmec hospital always receives high praise from professionals and customers.

Reference source: healthline.com