Fever: What really helps? An overview of home remedies and medicines

What helps with a fever? An overview of the most important measures

A fever can be unsettling for many people. Your temperature rises, you feel weak, and the question quickly arises: should I bring the fever down, and if so, how? It’s important to know that a fever is a natural response by the body, not an illness. It supports the immune system and should therefore not be brought down straight away.

If you have a fever, there are specific ways you can support your body. Often, simple measures are enough to significantly improve how you feel:

• Drink plenty of fluids: The body loses a lot of fluid through sweating. Water, tea or diluted fruit juices help to maintain a stable fluid balance.
• Rest and sleep: Your body is working flat out. Taking it easy supports your immune system.
• A comfortable room temperature: Avoid getting too hot, but also avoid getting too cold.
• Light clothing: This helps the body regulate its temperature more effectively.
• Targeted fever reduction where necessary: Medicines or home remedies may be helpful if symptoms are severe.

When should you bring a fever down?

There is no specific temperature at which a fever should be brought down. As a general rule:

• A fever is defined as 38°C or above in adults and babies under three months, and 38.5°C or above in children over three months
• A high fever is defined as 39°C or above in adults and children
• If a high fever in children (39 °C or above) persists for more than three days, you should seek medical advice.
• A body temperature of 41°C or above poses an acute risk to life and a doctor should be consulted immediately

Regardless of the temperature, a fever should be brought down if you feel very unwell, are having trouble sleeping or are experiencing circulatory problems.

In children, severe distress caused by a fever manifests itself differently: they often become apathetic, very restless or disoriented. If, in this case, the fever exceeds 39°C (measured rectally), measures to reduce the fever should be taken. If the child’s condition does not improve, medical advice should be sought

Febrile convulsions occur mainly in infants and young children when the fever rises rapidly. However, these cannot be prevented by fever-reducing medication.

Read more about fever here. 

When should you see a doctor about febrile convulsions?

Even though febrile convulsions usually pass quickly and generally have no long-term health consequences, they should always be assessed by a doctor.

It is important to remain calm if a febrile seizure occurs, to ensure that the child has enough space and nothing in their mouth, and not to try to stop the seizure. Also, keep an eye on the duration of the seizure and contact a paediatrician.

Furthermore:

• If a febrile seizure lasts longer than ten minutes, call the emergency services immediately.
• If your child is prone to repeated and prolonged febrile seizures, your paediatrician may prescribe emergency medication.

How can a fever be brought down?

Fever-reducing medicines

Medicines containing the active ingredients paracetamol or ibuprofen are primarily used to reduce a fever. In adults, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) may also be used. These medicines inhibit the production of the body’s own messenger substances that trigger a fever.

Always take or administer the medicine:

• in the correct dose for the child’s age and body weight
• at the prescribed intervals
• exactly as stated in the patient information leaflet

Bear in mind that the medicine does not cure the illness, but merely alleviates the symptoms and improves your well-being. Information on use and possible side effects can be found in the package leaflet. If you are unsure, ask your doctor or seek advice from your chemist.

Fever-reducing medicines for children

Children aged three months and over should only be given standard fever-reducing medicines containing ibuprofen or paracetamol. These are available as suppositories, effervescent granules, syrup and tablets (for older children).

Aspirin or other medicines containing acetylsalicylic acid must only be given to children and young people on the advice of a doctor, as they can lead to Reye’s syndrome, a dangerous side effect. If the fever has not subsided after three days despite taking paracetamol or ibuprofen, medical advice should be sought.

Homeopathic remedies are also available to reduce fever. However, there is as yet no scientific evidence of their effectiveness.

Which home remedies reduce a fever?

Cold compresses

Cold compresses cool the body from the outside. They do not treat the cause of the fever, but can alleviate accompanying symptoms such as restlessness or disorientation.

Important when using them:

• The body must be warm: hands and feet must not be cold.
• The child or adult must not feel cold.
• Consult a doctor beforehand to find out whether cold compresses are appropriate in your case.
• Also seek medical advice if the fever does not subside despite the correct use of calf compresses or vinegar poultices.

Vinegar compresses and vinegar pads

Vinegar compresses, or so-called ‘vinegar pads’, are also a common home remedy for reducing a fever.

• Dilute vinegar (e.g. apple cider vinegar) with lukewarm water
• then dip cloths into the vinegar water, wring them out lightly and wrap the cloths tightly around both calves, from the ankle to the back of the knee.
• Wrap a second layer of dry terry towels around your calves.
• Leave the compresses on until they have warmed up. This takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Once your calves have warmed up again, you can reapply the wraps.

Three applications are usually sufficient to bring the fever down. While the wraps are in place, check your body temperature regularly. It should not drop by more than 1 °C per application, as this could put too much strain on the circulation.
For vinegar compresses, cotton socks are soaked in vinegar water instead of cloths and then put on. Thick woollen socks can be worn over them.

Curd cheese compresses

Curd cheese compresses are not only suitable for treating inflammation and swelling, but can also reduce a fever. They are gentle on the skin and can therefore also be used on sensitive skin.
Spreadable low-fat quark is best suited. It is firmer and less runny than quark with a higher fat content.

• Warm the quark to room temperature
• Spread it to the thickness of a finger in the centre of a cloth
• Fold in the four sides of the cloth
• Wrap the quark compress around your calves using a second cloth.

The wrap can be left on the skin for about 30 minutes. Remove it as soon as it is no longer cold.

Teas for fever

Certain medicinal plants are traditionally used to treat fever, as they have, amongst other things, a diaphoretic effect.
These include, for example, birch leaves, willow bark and elderflower or lime blossom. These teas are available from pharmacies as tea bags or herbal blends. Ask for advice there on how to prepare them correctly and discuss with your doctor beforehand whether these teas are suitable for you.

For children, teas made from elderflower and lime blossom are particularly recommended for reducing fever. Depending on the child’s age, one to three cups a day are suitable. The dosage should also be clarified in advance with a doctor or at the chemist’s, especially for younger children.