Making Peace with a Fever

Why would you catch a fever, you ask. There is a variety of reasons. But first of all, let’s take a look at the current situation. Your immune system has been under lockdown for some time. Chances are that, if you’ve been careful, you haven’t caught any cold or bug in months. How would you? You’ve been at home all this time! In other words, your immune system is probably unprepared for any kind of threats, including a simple cold. A lot of people are experiencing vitamin D deficiency, as a direct result of the imposed lockdown. Vitamin D can’t cure infections, but it plays a significant role in maintaining immunologic functions, so you’re likely to be more vulnerable to infections. Last but not least, if you’ve been following the news, you know that the coronavirus has not disappeared. For a lot of people, going out of lockdown is a source of stress and anxiety, which can make you feel under the weather. 

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1. Be gentle with yourself

Seriously, don’t push yourself. We get it, you’ve been healthy during self-isolation and right now that you can finally travel and visit places, the last thing you want is a fever. But not giving your body time to recovery isn’t going to make it go away quicker. On the contrary, what are a few more days at home if it’s what it takes to stay safe? 

Sit down with a cup of soothing herbal tea – cold or hot, depending on how you feel – and relax. Why not catch up on your favourite shows? Netflix has gone plenty of delightful surprises, including the full 24 box set for hardcore fans. Having a fever makes you feel tired and strained. So, you’re best to stay at home a little longer, enjoy some quality time on the couch, and postpone your plans by another week.  

2. Don’t touch your cold sores

Cold sores are a pain, both figuratively and physically. Not everyone has fever blisters. Unfortunately, if you have them, you also know that they’re not curable. They’re likely to appear again next time you get a fever or are stressed out. However, with adequate herpes treatment you can manage the painful blisters and prevent further outbreaks. Herpes is one of those viruses that remain dormant in the body but reactivates when your immune system is compromised. So, your summer fever is likely to do the trick. If you feel that sores are on the way, you can use the treatment as a preventive measure to keep them at bay. Otherwise, it’ll help them heal and disappear quickly. 

3. Keep yourself hydrated not caffeinated

When you’ve got a fever, your body is actively fighting an infection. As a reason, its temperature is elevated. You can help regulate temperature and avoid the typical swing between feeling pouring with sweat and shivering with cold. Stay hydrated. You may not feel like it, but drinking plenty of fluid can significantly shorten your fever. Water is the best thing you can give your body. Ideally, you want to avoid anything that contains added sugar – yes, that means your favourite fruit juice. It’s a good idea to stay away from caffeinated drinks for now. If you can try replacing your typical English breakfast tea with a caffeine-free version. 

4. Hot flushes at night

Drinking a lot of water can help your body to maintain its temperature. However, at night, you will break the circle of hydration as you sleep. Sleeping with a fever means you are going to sweat a lot. Make sure to change the bedsheets on the next day. It can speed up your recovery, as it avoids spreading germs any further. Besides, you will want to sleep in a fresh bed, right? 

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5. Change your skincare routine

Your beauty routine is unlikely to affect your fever unless you have a medicated treatment. But your body is already going through a lot, so you want to reduce pressure on the skin. If you are using retinoids or any acid peeling as part of your routine, give your skin a break. Instead, you want to focus on moisturising your face. As mentioned, when you have a fever, you should stay hydrated, and that also applies to your skin. Opt for gentle formulas, such as Avene skin recovery for hypersensitive skin or Rose from fresh, which is light and nourishing.  

This is also a great time to think about your self care regime in general. Could you have cleaner ears, whiter teeth, fresher breath? When was the last time you visited the dentist, optician or doctor? Would you benefit from more exercise, a massage or even a trip to the hairdressers. All these things can help improve our physical or emotional health and are worth keeping on top of.

6. Acne outbreaks are back to haunt you

You’re not a teen anymore, but acne outbreaks can reappear when you’ve got a fever. It can be the result of regular hot flushes, weakened immune system and touching your face. A lot of people may not realise it, but they tend to touch their faces more frequently when they’re fighting off a fever. Make a habit of sticking to the hand washing routine introduced before the lockdown. Additionally, you will find that outbreaks are much more manageable if you find a gentle facial wash to use in the morning and the evening. 

7. I can’t think straight

Having a fever makes you feel a little confused. And that’s why now’s not the right time to work from home. Turn off the laptop, forget the work emails, and give yourself the chance to recover properly. While it might be tempting to catch up on some work when the fever recedes during the day, you should rather use the time to recover fully. Any activity that requires mental concentration is not suitable right now. 

8. Get stocked up

Having a well stocked first aid box and medicine cabinet is a sure fire way to be your future friend. Make sure you always have some basic pain killers, a cough medicine and some lozenges’ ready for when you need the, The Chloralieve sore throat lozenges are formulated to target sore throats from two directions – to fight the infection and numb the pain they are available in two flavours honey and lemon and mint and are available from the pharmacy or online.

One last word of warning. The typical mild fever disappears within a few days. However, if the fever persists and you begin to develop other symptoms, you shouldn’t hesitate to get in touch with your GP and remember that you can also use The Independent Pharmacy too.