What do I do when my child has a fever?
A fever is often seen as a natural and beneficial response of the body to infection or illness. From a naturopathic perspective, here’s what I’ve learned about the purpose of a fever and why it’s important to support rather than suppress it. Personally, points 2 and 3 resonate the most with me, especially when viewing symptoms as part of a detox process rather than just an infection. Below will help you understand what to do when your child has a fever.
1. Body’s Defense Mechanism
A fever is a sign that the immune system is actively fighting off pathogens like bacteria or viruses. The increased temperature creates an environment that is less hospitable to these pathogens, slowing their growth or even killing them.
2. Immune System Activation
Fever stimulates the production of white blood cells and enhances the effectiveness of immune cells, such as T-cells and macrophages. This boosts the body’s ability to combat illness effectively.
3. Detoxification Support
From a naturopathic viewpoint, fever promotes detoxification by increasing perspiration, which helps eliminate toxins through the skin. It can also improve circulation, supporting the liver and kidneys in their role as detoxifying organs.
4. Self-Regulation
A fever is the body’s way of regulating itself and restoring balance (homeostasis). Suppressing a mild to moderate fever can interfere with the natural healing process.
5. Healing Indicator
Fever can also be viewed as a sign that the body is healing and addressing the root cause of illness. It’s a process, not just a symptom to be eliminated.
A Personal Story: What I did when my child had a high fever.
Right before Christmas, my daughter had an orthodontist appointment that was crucial to keep, as rescheduling would mean waiting another six weeks. That day, I picked her up from school, and as soon as she got in the car, she started crying about a severe headache. When we got home, I found she had a fever of 101.3°F.
Since we couldn’t miss the appointment, I gave her ibuprofen to temporarily lower her fever, and we went. She felt better and even attended a Christmas party that night. The next morning, she had a slight fever and headache again, but it was the day of her school Christmas party that she’d been looking forward to for weeks. I gave her ibuprofen once more so she could go (I’m not saying what I did was correct, in hindsight I should’ve keep her home both days).
For the next few days, she seemed fine, but she developed a slight cough. On Christmas morning, after opening presents, she spiked a fever of 105.9°F. I realized then that by suppressing her earlier fevers, I might have interfered with her body’s natural healing process. This time, instead of suppressing the fever, I decided to support her body.
How I Supported Her Fever:
- Hydration: I gave her Relyte, a hydration drink. If I hadn’t had it on hand, I would have used coconut water mixed with real salt and a little lemon juice to provide electrolytes. It’s essential to keep kids hydrated, but plain water isn’t enough when electrolytes are needed.
- Headache Relief: I gave her cell salt #6, which helped alleviate her headache.
- Digestive Support: She took a couple of magnesium citrate gummies to help move her bowels. Supporting bowel movements can be one of the best ways to help the body process a fever.
- Homeopathy: I gave her two doses of homeopathic Belladonna, 30 minutes apart. This helped reduce her fever quickly, and it was gone within three hours.
- Rest: I let her rest where and when she needed.
Additional Remedies to Consider:
- Epsom Salt Baths: These can help, but don’t use them with the intention of “breaking” the fever. Rapid temperature changes can increase the risk of febrile seizures.
- Probiotics: These can help restore gut health if it’s been compromised.
- Goot on Feet: A blend of garlic and coconut oil applied to the feet can provide antimicrobial support.
- Other Homeopathics: Remedies like Phosphorus or Bryonia can be helpful depending on the specific symptoms.
When to Seek Medical Attention:
If she had experienced difficulty breathing, vomiting, a fever lasting more than 2-3 days, or concerning behaviors such as confusion or listlessness, I would have taken her to the doctor immediately. However, her symptoms were manageable: she was sleepy, sweaty, and had a headache.
This experience reminded me of the importance of allowing the body to heal naturally and supporting it through the process rather than overriding its efforts. By addressing the fever thoughtfully and holistically, I felt confident that I was helping her body recover in a way that promotes long-term health.
