Fever and Home remedies

Fever is not a disease. When a person’s body temperature increases above the normal range, we call the person is suffering from fever. The normal body temperature slightly differs from one to another. Normally the body temperature of a person is ranging between 37.1 and 38.3 C (98.6 to 100 F). When the body temperature increases the person feels cold or chills. Sometimes fever may go up to 108oF also. More than 30% children are brought to Health Care for treatment of fever.

Symptoms: The person is feeling chills or shivering is the main symptom of fever. Other symptoms are loss of appetite, headache, irritation, muscle pain, lethargy, sleepiness and weakness. 

 

Causes :

Main cause of fever is infection caused by virus, bacteria and parasite. Common cold, influenza, urinary tract infection, malaria, dengue etc are common fever related diseases. Other reasons are vaccination, cancer etc.

Remedies: In most of the cases intake of plenty fluid, light diet and rest can help to reduce the temperature. Home remedies include turmeric, ginger, basil (tulsi), lemon-honey, coriander seed power (Dhaniya) and cumin-water (jeera). Paracetamol may help to lower the body temperature. Doctor will prescribe as per the body weight and age. At least six hours gap should be maintained between intake of medicine. For high fever sponging with cool water and placing wet cloth on forehead help to lower the temperature. For children cool water should not be used. Doctor’s attention is required. For adult also when the patient feels breathing trouble or loss of consciousness or high temperature (above 103 F) etc visit a doctor as soon as possible.

Home remedies for COVID-19 in India

COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease and transmitted from person to person through droplet. Novel Coronavirus was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province of China in November 2019. Initially, WHO announced in social media that cluster of pneumonia cases with no death is happened in Wuhan. On 11^th March 2020 WHO declared COVID-19 as a pandemic. 

It mainly affects lungs. Older people, children and people of any age with underlying medical conditions are at high risk if exposed to COVID-19.

Symptoms of  COVID-19

1.      Fever
2.      Dry cough
3.      Difficulty in breathing
4.      Loss of taste
5.      Sore throat
6.      Nasal congestion
7.      Headache & body pain
8.      Diarrhea
9.      Rash on skin
 
These are the possible symptoms and may vary from person to person. Some infected people may not have any symptoms or mild symptoms. Generally symptoms appears between 2-14 days after exposure of the virus. Thermal scanner or breathing exercise cannot detect COVID-19. Laboratory test is the only way to confirm the infection of COVID-19
 
Prevention

Prevention is always better than cure. Since vaccine not yet developed, we should take sufficient precautions to avoid COVID-19 infections. Older adults, children and people with co-morbidities or pre-existing medical conditions like liver disease, heart diseases, asthma, HIV, Cancer, diabetes need extra precautions. One can be exposed to COVID-19 in high temperature also. Drinking alcohol also does not prevent or cure COVID-19.  

 How long Coronavirus will survive on surface, it mainly depends upon the materials. On plastic it can survive for longer period (72 hours). On other materials it can survive 4 hours or longer.

To prevent yourself from COVID-19  following precautionary measures can be taken.

1.      Maintaining at least one meter distance from people
2.      Frequent washing of hands with soaps  or using alcohol based sanitizers
3.      Avoid touching mouth, nose and eyes
4.      Covering mouth, nose and eyes
5.      Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.
 
Home remedies

Vaccine for Novel Coronavirus not yet developed. Several experts and research institutes from diverse backgrounds are working to develop vaccine but in general way it will take time. It is expected that effective vaccines will be made available shortly. Till then we have to wait, stay safe and increase our immunity.  Let’s explore our immunity booster:

1.  Don’t be panic: If you are infected by Coronavirus. Don’t be panic. It may reduce your immunity. Keep patience. Remember more than 80% patients are without symptoms or mild symptoms. Keep away from negative Corona virus news.
 
2.  Regular exercise: Practice free hand exercises and breathing exercise, walk at least a mile and involve yourself in physical activities.
 
3.   Healthy diet: Take healthy diet so that your body can fight against COVID-19
 
4.   Drink Warm water: Drink warm water three to four times a day.

 
5.    Eat spices: Use spices like Ginger, turmeric, cumin, garlic, black pepper etc.
 
6.    Take Vitamin C: Take fruits and vegetable rich with vitamin C like lemon, oranges, broccoli, and spinach.

 
7.     Use Herbal: Take herbal tea and Basil regularly.
 
 
The above remedies will just boost your immunity to fight against COVID-19, but there is no evidence to cure the disease. You may prefer the home remedies in case of mild symptoms.
 
The traditional or home remedies can give you comfort. However, patients is to be closely monitored. Immediate medical care must be taken in case of difficulty of breathing, pain in the chest, very high fever, complications or any other irregular symptoms like bluish or discoloration of lips or face.