FEVER THERAPY

Fever is one of the body's most important defensive reactions to an infection. Unfortunately, in many cases of simple common infections there is no fever. In these cases Fever Therapy can be very effective because it creates an artificial fever which brings more of the body's defenses into play. We find it quite helpful in those cases when infections such as colds, flu, sinus and ear infections or bronchitis have not produced a fever. Its beneficial effects are particularly noticeable with the more intense infections. You should not do Fever Therapy if you already have a fever, are pregnant, ever get headaches or other health problems with fevers or becoming over-heated, or have a chronic illness without first receiving the approval of your health care provider.

Preparations: While Fever Therapy looks much like a simple hot bath, it is much more. To be effective it must be done according to the instructions. You must have available an oral thermometer, something to wear that is absorbent, such as a heavy cotton robe and/or a sweat suit, and a bathtub with plenty of very hot water. At night before bed, or anytime when you will be undisturbed for a couple of hours, prepare a very hot bath. Be careful not to make the bath too hot in the beginning. Be sure to drink plenty of pure water before, during and after the treatment.

Step 1. Get into the bath and add more hot water until you get it as hot as you can stand it. [Precautions: Be very careful if you are doing this for a child! Regularly test the water to assure that he or she is not scalded. You may want to get into the bath with your child.]

Step 2. Take your oral temperature regularly during the time you are in the bath. After your temperature reaches 101 degrees Fahrenheit stay in the bath for additional 20 minutes. Your goal is to keep your body's temperature at that level for the full 20 minutes. Usually you will break into a heavy sweat by the time your temperature is up to the prescribed level. You may drink as much pure tepid water as you want but it should not be cold water.

Step 3. Get out of the bath after 20 minutes. Be very careful as you get out! Most people feel a little faint, so do not stand up too quickly. Dry off quickly, cover your head with a towel and put on the absorbent clothing (example: a heavy cotton robe, cotton sweat suit and socks).

Step 4. Quickly get into bed being careful not to get cool or chilled. You will feel uncomfortably hot and will usually be sweating profusely. This is exactly what you want. Stay covered up until Step 5. During this time the best thing to do is sleep.

Step 5. After 45 minutes to two hours you will have cooled off naturally to about your normal temperature. After you have mostly cooled off, but before you have gotten chilled, remove the wet clothing. At all times be careful not to get chilled. Only at this point is the treatment completed.

If you have an upper respiratory infection and are going to stay in bed after you have cooled off, you may follow the Fever Therapy with the Cold Sock Treatment. However, do not do the Fever Therapy and the Cold Sock Treatment simultaneously. You may repeat the Fever Therapy a couple of times a day during the worst of the infection. Fever Therapy can be helpful with almost any infection; however, it is particularly useful in the stages before the infection has "peaked" (before you have started to get well). In these earlier phases of the infection people usually find that it is extremely easy to break into the desired profuse sweat.

Warning: This self treatment should never be used if you are not completely sure of the diagnosis of your, or your child's, health problem and should only be used after your qualified health care provider has evaluated the condition. This advice is meant to augment and not replace the necessary care of a licensed primary care provider. If the health problem is serious enough that you would consider calling your primary care provider, you should still call him or her. However, even in those cases where other treatment is prescribed you will often find Fever Therapy helpful.

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