Contents:
- Medical Video: Fever in Kids: When to Call the Doctor
- What happens when the body has a fever
- Safe rules for bathing when having a fever
- Tips for caring for yourself during a fever
Medical Video: Fever in Kids: When to Call the Doctor
Many people doubt whether they should take a bath when they have a fever because they are afraid to worsen their condition. So, can you take a bath while you're sick?Find out the full answer in this article.
What happens when the body has a fever
Fever is actually not a disease, but a general symptom of various underlying diseases. Fever is characterized by increased body temperature, body shivering, headache, weakness, and pain in muscles or joints.
Fever is the result of an inflammatory process in the body, when the immune system is fighting infection. This inflammatory process then releases special chemical compounds to be carried to the hypothalamus through the bloodstream.The hypothalamus is a structure in the brain that functions to regulate body temperature.
In the hypothalamus, these chemical compounds will make the body temperature become higher (hot). Because of the presence of these compounds, the body mistakenly assumes that the normal body temperature is actually hot. Well, this is the reason why you have a fever.
In infants and children, fever usually occurs when the body temperature is more than 37 degrees Celsius. While in adults fever usually appears when body temperature reaches 38 to 39 degrees Celsius.
Safe rules for bathing when having a fever
People who have fever are allowed to take a bath. Because the bath is not related to the fever process itself.Even if possible, you are still advised to take a bath twice a day to keep your body clean. Not only that, basically bathing when sick is still recommended because it can avoid you getting other infections.
What needs to be considered is the temperature of the water.Maybe you think that cold water can provide comfort to the body that is "hot". However, doctors and health workers around the world do not recommend you take a cold shower when you are sick or if the item is not fit. Ithis can actually worsen your condition.
A hot body due to fever is a natural instinct needed by the body to defend itself. If you take a cold shower, your body will consider it a threat to the process of fighting infection. As a result, the body will further increase its temperature and the fever will get worse. Because the cold water works to close the pores so that it inhibits the movement of body temperature.
In addition, a cold shower also risks lowering body temperature suddenly. This will trigger the body to shiver. Therefore, you should avoid taking cold showers when you are sick.
Therefore, in a hot body condition you are advised to use warm (lukewarm) water to equalize body temperature.
Tips for caring for yourself during a fever
If after a shower you still feel uncomfortable or feel your body temperature is increasing, you can take painkillers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin) to relieve symptoms. Follow the doctor's instructions or read the packaging label to know the correct dosage. Not only that, you also have to be careful not to use more than one drug that contains acetaminophen, such as cough and cold medicines.
Contact your doctor immediately if your condition does not improve for more than 3 days and your body temperature reaches 39 degrees Celsius or more.
