It's easy to become dehydrated
when you have a
fever. Watch for
early signs of dehydration (such as being thirstier than usual and having darker urine than usual), and
drink extra fluids, especially water. Adults should
drink at least 10 glasses of liquid a day to replenish lost fluids. Children
ages 4 to 10 should drink at least 6 to 10 glasses. You may
feel better if you eat light, easily digested foods, such as soup.
Many people find that taking a lukewarm [80°F (27°C) to
shower or bath makes
them feel better when they have a fever. Do not try to take a shower if you are
dizzy or unsteady on your feet. Increase the water temperature if you start to
shiver. Shivering is a sign that your body is trying to raise its temperature.
Do not use rubbing alcohol, ice, or cold water to cool
Dress lightly when you have a fever. This will help
your body cool down. Wear light pajamas or a light undershirt. Do not wear very
warm clothing or use heavy bed covers. Keep room temperature at
If you are not able to measure your temperature, you
need to look for other symptoms of illness every hour while you have a fever
and follow home treatment measures.
Medicine you can buy without a prescription
| Try a nonprescription
medicine to help treat your fever or pain:|
Talk to your child’s doctor before switching back and
forth between doses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen. When you switch between two
medicines, there is a chance your child will get too much medicine.
| Be sure to follow these
safety tips when you use a nonprescription medicine:|
- Carefully read and follow all directions
on the medicine bottle and box.
- Do not take more than the
- Do not take a medicine if you have had an
allergic reaction to it in the past.
you have been told to avoid a medicine, call your doctor before you take
- If you are or could be pregnant, do not take any medicine other
than acetaminophen unless your doctor has told you to.
- Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than age 20 unless your doctor tells you to.
not give your child naproxen (such as Aleve) to children younger than
age 12 unless your child's doctor tells you to.
Be sure to check your temperature every 2 to 4 hours to make
sure home treatment is working.
Symptoms to watch for during home treatment
Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home
- Level of consciousness
- You have
signs of dehydration and you are unable to drink
enough to replace lost fluids. Signs of dehydration include being thirstier than usual and having darker urine than usual.
- Other symptoms develop, such as pain in one area of the body,
a cough, or urinary symptoms.
- Symptoms become more severe or frequent.