Tips for Surviving the Flu and Fever Season.

​What is a fever?
A fever is the body’s immune system response to a bacteria or virus. Most bacteria and viruses can not live in an environment that is too hot. Our natural immune system raises the thermostat so that it can try to kill the bacteria or virus that is in our body. Most viral childhood fevers spike to high temperatures and then ease down, only to spike up again a few hours later. Bacterial infections or illnesses are likely to cause a fever that goes up and stays up for a while before breaking.
 
When is a fever worrisome?
It’s ok to have a fever up to 101 degrees but for a child if their fever stays up above 104.5 for more than 5-6 hours, call your PCP or go to the ER. For children, they have the risk of developing feverish seizures. Always have on hand Children’s Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Children’s Ibuprofen.
 
What is the dose of Children’s Tylenol or Ibuprofen?
Children’s Tylenol is 160 mg per 5 ml or teaspoon. Dosage calculations are 10 mg for each kilogram every 4 hours as needed.
         
                   20 kg child (44 lbs) the dose would be 200 mg every 4 hours
                             10 kg X 10 = 100 mg
                             20 kg X 10 = 200 mg
                             30 kg x 10 = 300 mg
                             And so on……

To find their weight in kilograms, take their weight in pounds and divide by 2.2. Get your calculator.
Say your child weighs 76 lbs. Divide by 2.2.
                  76 / 2.2 = 34.5 or 35 kg
                  35 kg X 10 = 350 mg every 4 hours.  

Children’s Ibuprofen is 100 mg per 5 ml or teaspoon. Dosage calculations are also 10 mg for each kilogram but every 8 hours for dosing as needed.
         
                   20 kg child (44 lbs) the dose would be 200 mg every 8 hours.
                            10 kg X 10 = 100 mg
                            20 kg X 10 = 200 mg
                            30 kg X 10 = 300 mg
                           And so on….
 
What are some Natural Remedies for Bringing down a fever in a child or adult?
Apple Cider Vinegar. Apply to a warm wash cloth and apply to the forehead. As it evaporates, it is cooling to the skin. Our grandmothers and great-grandmothers use to swear by this method of bringing the fever down. You can also draw a warm bath and add a cup of apple cider vinegar to it or wrap a washcloth with apple cider vinegar to the feet of the sick person.
 
Bone Broth. Do you remember your grandmother making chicken soup when you were sick? And she used the whole chicken to make the broth? Well, bone broth is one of the best homemade remedies to have while you are sick. The bones of animals (ie chicken, beef, pork) have gelatin and it may possibly stimulate phagocytosis, the process by which a cell surrounds, engulfs and eats bacteria and viruses and other cellular debris. It also is easily digestible and soothes an upset tummy.
 
Calcium. One of the main functions of fever is to pull out calcium from our bones into our blood to help with fighting infections. This is what causes us to be achy, fever pulling calcium into the blood stream. So get some calcium if you are coming down with a cold, virus, or infection. Calcium from food is better, but you can get OTC calcium supplements.
 
Herbal Teas.

• Catnip Tea—Used for stomach upset, intestinal cramps,
• Chamomile Tea—Used for gastrointestinal complaints, upset stomach, anxiety, illness, insomnia
• Elderflower Tea—Used for swollen sinuses, flu, cold, sweating (diaphoretic)
• Yarrow (in a bath, bitter to drink)—Used for fever reduction, induces sweating.
• Lemon Balm—Used for easing stress and anxiety, and indigestion
• Elderberry Syrup—Used for increasing the response of the immune system, immune system booster. Good for fever, cold, cough, flu illnesses.

​Remember, the above statements (herbals) are not approved by the
FDA. Please contact your provider before consuming herbal preparations,
many herbs interact with pharmaceutical medications.
 
If you think that you have Influenza, remember to

• cover your cough
• sneeze into your sleeve
• wash your hands often
• stay home unless you have trouble breathing.
• Call your Provider’s office if you aren’t sure if you should come in to be seen or not. 

Written by Jennifer Bagley FNP-C

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