How to Cure a Fever at Home

Co-authored by Laura Marusinec, MD and Amy Bobinger

Last Updated: April 20, 2024 Approved

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A fever is your body's natural response to fight off viruses and bacteria by weakening the germs and limiting their ability to reproduce. It also helps burn away toxins and stimulates the immune system. Since a fever is the body’s preferred method for healing itself, it should only be “cured” when the body becomes too weak to handle the infection, when the fever is too high for the body to handle, or when it makes you extremely uncomfortable. While you can handle most fevers at home, you should call emergency services immediately if you also have severe dehydration with blue lips, tongue, or nails; severe headache; hallucinations or difficulty walking; difficulty breathing; or seizures.

Steps

1

Wear light clothing.

1. Wear loose, comfortable clothes when you have a fever to help your body relax and improve air circulation to help you stay cool. Remove excess clothing or blankets that can trap heat and make a fever last longer. Try a layer of lightweight clothing, and one lightweight blanket or sheet for sleep.

   • Natural fibers, such as cotton, bamboo, or silk, often breathe better than manmade fibers like acrylic or polyester.

2

Lower the room temperature.

1. High temperatures can make a fever last longer and cause excessive sweating that can lead to dehydration. The room temperature should ideally be 73–77 °F (23–25 °C).

   • If the room is hot or stuffy, a fan may help.

3

Get plenty of rest.

1. Getting enough rest helps your body heal faster, so avoid moving around too much. Take some time off work to get even more sleep than you usually do if possible.

   • Sleep deprivation can weaken the immune system, increase the production of stress hormones, put you at higher risk for chronic disease, and lower life expectancy.

4

Take a fever-reducing medication.

1. If the fever is very high or causing you serious discomfort, you can take a fever-reducing medication. Several medicines target fevers: acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin, for instance. Take these over-the-counter medications as the label suggests to help bring down your fever.

   • Check the dosing carefully. Take the smallest dose possible to relieve your fever.
   • Children under 18 should not take aspirin unless specifically recommended by a doctor. It is associated with the development of Reye's syndrome, a disease that causes the brain and liver to swell.

5

Cool your body.

1. Soak a sponge in water and dab it on your skin. Dip small towels or a sponge in lukewarm water and dab your forehead, legs, and under your arms. This helps keep your body cool and can make you more comfortable.

   • Using cold water, an ice pack, or taking a cold shower can induce shivers, which can increase the core body temperature, making the fever last longer.
   • Do not apply warm towels to an injury or inflamed skin, as it can cause bleeding and further inflammation.

6

Keep your nose clear.

1. If your fever is caused by a cold or flu, it’s important to keep your nose clear to breathe comfortably. Do not blow your nose too hard, as the pressure can give you an earache on top of the cold. Be sure to blow gently and only as often as necessary.

   • Experts recommend that you blow by holding a finger over one nostril and gently blowing the other into a tissue. If your child or infant has a cold, help them blow their nose correctly.
   • Wash your hands each time you blow your nose to avoid chances of other infections by bacteria or viruses.

7

Do not use rubbing alcohol.

1. Applying rubbing alcohol on your skin makes your skin feel cooler. However, it is a very temporary sensation. This cooling effect does not help when you have a fever as it can cause shivering, which raises your core body temperature.

   • In addition, the skin can soak up alcohol. For small children (and infants in particular), this approach can increase the risk of alcohol poisoning.

8

Drink lots of water.

1. Your body can quickly lose moisture and get dehydrated by sweating or sneezing caused by illnesses, such as colds and flu, that are often associated with a fever. Dehydration can cause your temperature to rise and often leads to headaches, dizziness, muscle cramps, low blood pressure, and seizures.

   • 2–4 litres (8.5–16.9  c) of water is the daily recommendation for the average adult.
   • For young children, consider a commercial electrolyte rehydration solution, such as Pedialyte, since these proportions have been specifically designed for children's bodies.
   • To rehydrate children, offer at least 1 fluid ounce (30 mL) per hour for infants, 2 fluid ounces (59 mL) per hour for toddlers, and 3 fluid ounces (89 mL) per hour for older children.

9

Eat healthy foods.

1. A bland diet includes foods that are soft, not very spicy, and low in fiber to be digested easily. Some good choices for foods are:

   • Bread, crackers, and pasta made with refined white flour
   • Refined hot cereals, such as oatmeal or cream of wheat
   • Juices are okay in moderation, but do not give your child too much fruit juice, as many fruits contain citric acid, which can cause stomach acid reflux and lead to vomiting. Dilute these drinks by making them one half water, one half juice. If you are making homemade juice, make sure the fruits or vegetables used are ripe. Make sure the juice is 100% juice with no added sugar. Do not give juice to a child who is vomiting.
   • For children who are accustomed to drinking it regularly, milk is a good choice if they are not vomiting.
   • Infants should only be given nutritious beverages, breastmilk, and commercial rehydration solutions like Pedialyte until the fever comes down. Solid foods may put too much strain on the infant’s digestive system.

10

Reduce caffeine intake.

1. Too much caffeine can be bad for you when you have a fever. Caffeine overdose can cause fevers, headaches, insomnia, diarrhea, irritability, and dizziness. Caffeine also stimulates water excretion and excessive intake can lead to dehydration. When you have a fever, try to avoid caffeine or lower your intake to 100 mg.

   • 1 cup (240 mL) of brewed coffee contains 133 mg of caffeine, and 1 cup (240 mL) of black tea contains 53 mg of caffeine. Avoid sugary soda, energy drinks, and sports drinks, as these can cause nausea and vomiting during a fever.
   • Do not use caffeine supplements until you recover from the fever.
   • Children and infants should generally avoid taking caffeine.

11

Avoid alcohol and smoking.

1. 1
   You should abstain from drinking alcohol, whether it is beer, wine, or another drink when you have a fever, regardless of severity. Alcohol weakens the immune system, making it harder for your body to recover quickly.
2. 2
   Don't smoke. In addition to the risks of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases, smoking also suppresses the body’s immune system. Smoking thus requires the body to fight harder against viruses and bacteria, which increases body temperature. It is best to avoid exposure to cigarette smoke, nicotine, and other tobacco products until your fever has reduced.

   • Children (especially infants) should not be exposed to secondhand smoke, especially while they have a fever.

12

When to seek emergency medical help.

1. 1
   Get emergency medical help if you are an adult with a fever over 103 °F (39 °C). A very high fever can be extremely dangerous. If your fever reaches above a temperature of 103 °F (39 °C), go to an emergency room or an urgent care facility for testing. You may need prescription medication or hospitalization.
2. 2
   Consult a pediatrician if your child has a fever. Always consult a pediatrician before giving a child medication for a fever. Additionally, seek medical care if your child:

   • Is younger than 3 months old and has a rectal temperature of 100.4 °F (38.0 °C) or higher
   • Is 3-6 months old and has a fever of 102 °F (39 °C) or higher
   • Is under age 2 and has a fever that lasts longer than 48 hours
   • Is not alert, cannot be awakened easily, has had fevers come and go for up to a week or more (even if they are not very high or if fever symptoms come back after they had gone away)
   • Does not make tears when crying or cannot be calmed down when crying
   • Does not have wet diapers or has not urinated in the past 8 hours
   • Has other symptoms that suggest an illness may need to be treated, such as a sore throat, earache, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, or a cough.
3. 3
   Visit a doctor for serious cases. Though you can treat many fevers at home, there are specific situations in which you should leave the care to the professionals. Reasons to seek emergency care when you have a fever include:

   • Neck pain or stiffness
   • Intense headache or sensitivity to light
   • Confusion
   • Vomiting
   • Chest pain
   • Trouble breathing
   • Seizures
4. 4
   Call a doctor if your fever persists. A fever is your body’s natural way to eliminate illness. But a fever that continues could be a sign of a deeper or more serious problem. If your fever doesn’t go away, even after trying to get rid of it, call your doctor. They may suggest that you seek emergency treatment or they can prescribe medication that can help.

   • If your fever lasts longer than 48 hours, call a doctor. It could be a sign of a viral infection.
5. 5
   Seek emergency care if you feel signs of dehydration. A high fever can cause your body to lose fluids and could lead to dehydration. If you begin to feel symptoms of dehydration, get to an emergency room or an urgent care clinic immediately. You may need IV fluids to rehydrate.

   • Symptoms of dehydration include dry mouth, sleepiness, little or dark urine output, headache, dry skin, dizziness, and faintness.
6. 6
   Visit a healthcare center if you have a pre-existing condition. If you have a disease such as diabetes, anemia, a heart condition, or lung disease and you develop a high fever, you need to get checked out by a doctor. A fever is much more dangerous if you already have a condition that could be exacerbated by a fever.

   • If you’re concerned, call your primary care doctor to be sure of what you need to do.
7. 7
   Talk to a doctor if you get a rash or see bruises while you have a fever. If you develop a skin rash, or you see bruises that you can’t explain and seem to have come out of nowhere, contact your doctor. It could be a sign of a serious problem with your immune system.

   • If the rash worsens or starts to spread, go to an emergency room.
   • Painful bruises on your skin that start to get larger or more numerous could be a sign of a serious illness. Go to the hospital if you develop lots of painful bruises.
8. 8
   Go to an emergency room if you exhibit signs of a caffeine overdose. Caffeine can be dangerous if you have a high fever and your body is dehydrated, so you should avoid consuming any at all. But if you do drink coffee or tea and you start to exhibit symptoms of caffeine overdose, go to an emergency room immediately.

   • Caffeine overdoses exhibit symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, chest pains, convulsions, hallucinations, and loss of consciousness.
9. 9
   Differentiate between a fever and other activities that raise body temperature. Physical activity, mood swings, hormonal changes, irregular or heavy eating, tight or heavy clothing, medications, and exposure to high temperatures can also increase your body temperature. If you suspect you have heat stroke, seek medical care immediately.

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Warnings

• If your fever exceeds 103 °F (39 °C), seek medical attention.

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