Fever is indicated by a rise in body temperature. Normal body temperature is 37 degrees Celsius, although this can vary in the individual child. Temperatures of up to 39 or 40 degrees commonly occur in children with an infection. The child may look hot with flushed cheeks or they could complain that they feel chilled and want to wrap up warm. The child may feel hot to the touch. They may be lethargic or low in energy and less active than normal. With a high fever a child may be delirious: they may say strange things, hallucinate or appear agitated and confused.
Many parents feel panic or concern when their child has a fever and reach for medication such as Calpol to bring the fever down. Allopathic doctors tend to encourage this view that any rise in temperature must be brought down as soon as possible or that fever is not good for the child. There are certain instances where fever does require immediate action (see below) but generally holistic practitioners believe that fever is an important part of the healing process and that it should not be ‘suppressed’ with medicines such as Calpol or Tylenol.
Why is it that homeopaths believe fever is important? Fever is the body’s natural reaction to various stimuli such as infection, allergic reaction, excessive exercise, excessive exposure to the sun, brain damage from injury, autoimmune disease or hormonal imbalance. The hypothalamus is the thermostat of the body and as it raises the temperature it initiates the body’s defence mechanisms. Bacteria or viruses are not seen by homeopaths as the cause of the problem. The cause is that the body has become ‘susceptible’ or a viable environment for pathogen’s to proliferate in.
For homeopaths a person who can generate a high fever for a short time is demonstrating a sign that they are healthy and their illness may only last for a short period compared to others who have lower levers or fevers that are suppressed. A person who is less healthy might have lower fevers and colds and mild infections that linger on and never really resolve. It is not uncommon for a child like this who has chronic colds, to respond to a homeopathic remedy by producing a high fever which will bring the healing process to some kind of resolution and result in an improved level of health subsequent to the constitutional remedy being given. It is thought to be necessary for the very young to throw fevers in order to activate the immune system and also to clear inherited disease patterns. Children who have had the childhood ailments and fevers become stronger, healthier individuals.
In many cases of fever it is not necessary to use allopathic medicines or even homeopathic remedies. If the fever is allowed to take it’s course it will allow the immune system to burn off any infection and rebalance itself. However if there are signs of infection or pain accompanying the fever or your child is struggling to deal with the symptoms then there are many homeopathic remedies that can help and I have outlined a. few common ones below. Fevers also occur at the onset of the inflammatory children’s illness such as chicken pox. By supporting the fever, this will allow the rash or spots to come out in their own time and the disease to fully run it’s course.
Self Help for Fevers
- Keep hydrated with plenty of fluids. You can encourage your child to drink little sips or maybe such on an ice-cube or wet flannel. If you are still breastfeeding then this will be all your baby will need and provide a lot of comfort as well as the immune-boosting properties of the breast-milk.
- Food is not really necessary so don’t worry if your child doesn’t want food. You can offer something light such as fruit or a soup if your child is hungry.
- Sponging down the face and body with a warm flannel can be an effective way at keeping a fever at a manageable level.
- Try and ensure a calm and relaxing environment for your child. So they can rest and relax as much as possible.
When to get medical help
- If the temperature rises to 40.5 degrees celsius (105 degrees Fahrenheit) then see medical help and advice because very high temperatures can be dangerous. Keep a careful watch on your child and take all precautions to bring down the fever including using allopathic medication such as Tylenol or Calpol.
- If your child has a history of convulsions or starts to show signs of a convulsion.
- If your baby is under 6 months old.
- If an older baby has a temperature of over 40 degrees for over 24 hours.
- If your child develops signs of listlessness or floppiness which can be a sign of serious illness.
- If fever comes on after a wound – this could be due to septic fever.
- If the patient complains of a severe headache especially at the back of the head – this could be a sign of meningitis, also a fever with a rash.
- If the patient complains of headache, abdominal pains and nausea – this could suggest appendicitis.
Common Homeopathic Remedies for Fever
Aconite
Indicated for a fever which comes on suddenly often after exposure to cold winds or a fright. The fever often comes on around midnight. The fever can be very high with a racing pulse. There can be a thirst for cold drinks. The patient may be frightened and restless and even feel they are going to die. There may be heat alternating with chills. Fever with sore throat – may feel dry and burning. Fever with teething or earache.
Belladonna
Indicated for fevers which have a sudden onset. The child will likely have red cheeks and be burning hot to touch – they may say any pain is throbbing. The heat may be intense enough to feel it radiating off the body. The hands and feet maybe cold to touch even though the head is burning hot. The eyes may look glassy or glazed and the pupils may be dilated. The child may be angry or delirious. The patient probably won’t be very thirsty and the symptoms will be worse from 3pm and 3am. Fever with inflammation of the middle ear or teething. Colin Griffiths (Practical Guide to Homeopathy) says that for higher fevers a 30c potency may not be sufficient; for fevers of 38.8 degrees celsius to 39.4 degrees celsius (102-103 degrees Fahrenheit) use 200c potency. For 39.4 – 40 degrees celsius (103-104 degrees Fahrenheit) use the !M – but contact your homeopath for advice.
Chamomilla.
Indicated when heat and chills alternate or one part feels hot and another very cold – does not want to be uncovered. The most characteristic feature is the mood associated with the remedy – nothing satisfies, they ask for this and that and then reject the request with irritation or fury. Helpful for earaches or teething with a lot of pain.
Ferrum Phosphate
Indicated for milder fevers with a more gradual onset. There are not many marked symptoms but the child may have a pale face with flushed cheeks. It is useful to give Ferrum phos tissue salts at the first sign of a fever and usually another remedy will be required at a later stage of the illness.
Arsenicum
Indicated for fevers where a child is burning hot to touch but feeling very chilly. The patient wants fresh air around the head but to be wrapped up and have warm drinks. The child maybe very restless and anxious and need constant company and reassurance. The patient will be very thirst for sips of water or hot drinks and is often worse between midnight and 2am. Fever with nausea and vomiting (gastric flu).
Bryonia
Indicated for fevers with a gradual onset. The patient just wants to lie still and is worse for any movement, even turning their head. They will probably want to be left alone and be quite irritable. The patient is likely to be very thirsty for long drinks of cold water. The mouth and lips may feel dry and there could well be constipation.
Eupatorium
Indicated for fever with intense aching in the bones as one gets with some types of flu. The fever may also be accompanied by thirst, chilliness, shivering, headache, nausea and sometimes vomiting.
Gelsemium
Indicated for fevers with flu-like symptoms. The patient is likely to seem drowsy and their eyelids may be droopy. They will probably be lethargic and just want to lie down. They may ache all over and have a dull headache with little thirst. They may experience shivers running down the spine with the fever.
Phosphorus
Indicated for high fevers where the child does not appear to be very ill and may be playing quite happily. They will be very thirsty for ice cold drinks and have flushed cheeks.
Pulsatilla
Indicated for lower grade fevers but not fevers above 38.3 degrees celsius (101 degrees Farenheit). Thirst-less patient who is tearful and clingy. May be hot or chilly by turns and better for fresh air circulating. Fever with earache.