Reducing a Fever
When a person has a fever you want to promote the body’s normal ways to reduce heat.
- The person will normally sweat, so replace lost fluid by having the person drink liquids. Have the person drink 8 to 10 eight ounce glasses of liquids each day (unless otherwise ordered by their doctor).
- Remove extra layers of clothing or bed linen.
- Keep a room cool, use a fan or lower the thermostat. Do not let the temperature of a room become so cold that it causes the person to shiver. Shivering causes body temperature to become higher.
- Bathe or shower with lukewarm, not cool water. Cool water might cause shivering, which will make the fever go higher.
- When the person begins to feel uncomfortable, give a fever reducing medicine like acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen unless the doctor advises against it. Note: some doctors will not recommend fever reducing medicine because fever is the body’s way to fight infection. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than age 20 because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome.
- Reduce the person’s physical activity. The more active the person is, the higher the body temperature.
Treating Heat Exhaustion
You might find the person outside when you notice the signs of heat exhaustion. Signs and symptoms often develop suddenly. If fever is greater than 102 F (38.9 C), fainting, confusion or seizures occur, call 911 or emergency medical help.
- Move the person out of the sun to the shade or a shelter.
- Give the person cool, nonalcoholic liquids to drink.
- Have the person rest, activity will only increase temperature.
- Have the person take a cool shower or bath. Prepare a basin of room temperature water and give a sponge bath.
- Place the person in a room with fans or air conditioning.
- Remove extra layers of clothing.
Treating Heat Stroke
This condition can be fatal. Call 911 for emergency assistance as you begin cooling the person.
- Move the person out of the sun to the shade or a shelter.
- Cool the person quickly. Ways to cool include: placing the person in a tub of cool water or into a cool shower, spraying the person with cool water from a garden hose, sponging the person with cool water.
- If the person can drink, give cool nonalcoholic liquids.
- Continue to take the temperature until it drops to 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 to 38.8 degrees Centigrade)