Dorothy FarrarAntipyretics
Fever-reducing agents collectively refer to medicines, phytoactive ingredients and home remedies that help to reduce fever.
What are fever reducers?
Fever is a normal and fundamentally not unhealthy reaction of the immune system to invading germs. A slight fever is also triggered by the immune system as a precautionary measure: on fresh wounds, for example, a slight warming of the skin around the wound can be observed. It serves to keep pathogens away from the wound from the outset. Bacteria can only multiply between certain temperatures, i.e. continue to exist as a strain – if it gets too hot for them, they no longer multiply.
Fever thus raises the body temperature to a level where germs can no longer reproduce. Fever in small children, elderly people and patients with ailing health can certainly reach proportions in which it becomes life-threatening for humans themselves, because even human cells can no longer divide above a certain temperature. Antipyretics thus prevent these body temperatures from being reached at all. In addition, antipyretics are often also effective against headaches or cold symptoms , so that they are taken even with mild symptoms against the fatigue that quickly develops with fever.
Effect and medical application
Although fever is a normal immune reaction, even small flare-ups of fever lead to exhaustion and tiredness . Antipyretics are all the more popular with adults, too. They are particularly important for children, elderly patients or patients with health problems, as fever can quickly rise by several degrees and can be life-threatening, especially in these groups. Home remedies such as calf wraps work by influencing the body temperature from the outside and also causing evaporative cooling, which cools the body.
In the case of a mild fever, this can make the body realize that it has too high a temperature, so it thinks it is because it is getting heat from outside. Antipyretics reduce the production of prostaglandins, which in turn increases body temperature. Furthermore, many antipyretics also act as painkillers and thus reduce any body aches or headaches that can occur due to fever and dehydration . Teas such as lilac blossom or black elderberry tea can also be helpful. In principle, however, an antipyretic is not always indicated, since fever is an immune reaction and contributes to the patient’s recovery.
shapes and groups
Home remedies for fever can be bought over the counter or are available in every household. All you need for a calf wrap is a warm, damp cloth, and a vegetable broth to prevent dehydration is also quickly prepared. Herbal teas can be obtained from pharmacies; pharmacists can advise on this. Pharmaceutical antipyretics are also not hard to come by in the form of headache pills commonly available in pharmacies.
Ibuprofen®, Paracetamol® or drugs with acetylsalicylic acid are particularly effective against fever and are sold as individual active ingredients or combination preparations specifically for colds and infections without a prescription. Higher doses of antipyretics require a prescription and can also be administered intravenously in the hospital if the fever is very high.
dosage
Because fever is an immune response and helps the patient recover, antipyretics should not be taken at every sign. If the patient is otherwise healthy and the fever is not in the dangerous range from 39°C, it is better not to take any antipyretic at all. Instead, it is important to ensure adequate fluid intake and sufficient electrolytes ; the body also needs rest.
Exceptions are children, the elderly and patients with poor health – an antipyretic in the appropriate dosage for the patient’s age can be given here. It is important to note how long the fever lasts and how high the body temperature is with regular measurements. If it does not improve after 1-2 days, a doctor’s visit is recommended.
Herbal, natural and pharmaceutical alternatives
Fever-reducing drugs can be omitted for a speedy recovery, since the body fights the infection with fever . As a result, the patient usually recovers faster and delays the infectionnot. The first antipyretic used should ideally be a gentle home remedy, such as calf wraps. This has the advantage that the patient takes it easy on himself during the application and allows himself some rest, which the immune system needs anyway. Furthermore, instead of antipyretic drugs, herbal teas can be used, which also provide the body with important fluids. Occasionally it is recommended to let the room cool down a bit instead of taking antipyretics, but that is completely wrong – with a weakened immune system, the patient is more likely to get sicker from temperature changes.
Interactions and side effects
The fever-reducing home remedies usually have no side effects. Calf compresses and teas even tend to improve the general condition. Antipyretics, on the other hand, need to be considered differently. Ibuprofen , paracetamol and acetylsalicylic acid can all have side effects. These include dizziness , nausea or ringing in the ears . They sometimes make the patient feel better for a few hours, but the fever immune reaction is suppressed and the immune system is impeded in its work if the fever is only mild.
An infection could be delayed as a result, or at least take longer to heal. Some antipyretics also put a strain on the liver and can interact with various medications, which a look at the package insert shows.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.