General
Fever management
Fever is most often an expression of the physiology’s attempt
to eliminate a toxic or infected condition. The elevation of body
temperature serves to increase metabolism, and therefore immune
response, and disrupt the reproductive processes of any bacterial
or viral pathogen that may be present. As such, fever is often helpful
in completely resolving an illness and strengthening long-term immunity
– but it can also be quite dangerous, especially in children.
Any temperature at or over 103°F (adults) or 104°F (children)
can be a concern. Monitor the significance of temperature by remembering
that if the patient feels cold, temperature is rising; if the patient
feels warm, temperature is falling. In any case, keep the patient
warm and well-covered.
Fluctuations in temperature are normal in a fever, usually reducing
in the morning and increasing at night, but if this continues for
more than a few days, or if a fever returns over the course of many
days or weeks, use stronger eliminative strategies (see below under
‘differential diagnoses’).
Treatment
Goal(s):
· Monitor fever temperature, supporting physiological processes
and elevated metabolic function. Reduce fever temperature if necessary.
Primary
Treatment:
· Allow patient to rest and feed light, cooling and easily
digestible foods.
· Aid elimination by using diaphoretic herbs appropriate
to the patient’s constitution.
· Aid digestion and elimination by using Bitters appropriate
to the patient’s constitution.
Supportive Treatment:
· Administer warm infusions of Filipendula ulmaria (Meadowsweet)
to reduce fever temperature if necessary (avoid in children and
those with aspirin sensitivity).
· Use Mentha piperita (Peppermint) internally and externally
(as a cool compress on the forehead).
Differential
diagnoses, cautions, and other considerations:
· If a viral infection such as cold or flu is suspected,
follow the appropriate treatment to alleviate the condition (using
Echinacea, for example).
· If the fever progresses to an unsafe temperature and threatens
a further rise, consider using conventional aspirin. Place the patient
in a cold bath, and seek additional help.
· If the fever recurs or does not ‘break’ after
a few days, a deeper underlying condition is usually present. Seek
a qualified medical diagnosis, and treat accordingly. In the interim,
or as an initial strategy, use stronger heat-clearing herbs such
as members of the Artemisia family (Mugwort, Sweet Annie, Wormwood)
and consider a detoxification fast if the patient is strong enough.
Be sure to assess if the client has travelled to a tropical location
in recent weeks/months to rule out non-endemic disease.
· Use restorative and alterative herbs such as Astragalus,
Arctium lappa (Burdock), or others depending on the patient’s
constitution, after the fever has waned to strengthen the physiology.
