Fevers are a necessary and healthy part of every child’s growth. Yet few people fully understand the important role of fevers and most parents are fearful of them. This is understandable because up until recently, doctors were also unaware of their importance. But fevers help to build a healthy immune system.
A fever is the way the body throws out an invading pathogen. It is a healthy immune response. A healthy child can throw out a short lived but violent fever. This can be scary to watch, but only a healthy immune system has the energy for this very active process.
A child with a low immunity will never be able to throw a violent fever. They often have a low grade fever that will carry on for an extended period. They are the mopers. They may whine and are generally miserable. Normally, their bodies are unsuccessful at throwing out the pathogen, that a healthy immune system can do so easily.
Medical treatment of fevers can still consist of suppressing it, thereby preventing the body’s natural action. The invading pathogen is allowed to stay, setting up the potential for chronic disease. Antipyretics, acetaminophen, ibuprofen and other fever suppressants are often misused simply for a higher than normal temperature.
Ancient wisdom knew the importance of fevers. People knew that a fever would rise up to its height, then break, not unlike the wave action of the sea. After a fever, you can see that a child has had a growth spurt – either physically or emotionally, sometimes both.
A fever is defined by the oral temperature exceeding 38〬C (i00.4〬F). A fever is not a disease. It is a healthy immune response. There is no evidence to suggest that fevers cause a worsening of any illness or long term neurological complications.
It is important to maximise the comfort of the patient during a fever and to ensure they are well hydrated. These measures support the body in its efforts. The patient, if old enough to tell you, will make it very clear what they want during a fever. One mother told me about her child simply wanting his parents in the same room while it lasted. An infant may not be able to speak, but they will communicate what they want through body language. Some mothers instinctively know what the child wants.
The homeopathic treatment of fevers support the body’s best efforts, increasing the effectiveness of the immune response. This means that the fever can be safely treated by increasing the effect of the immune response.
One homeopathic group in South America are working on the treatment of cancer with the typical fever remedies used in homeopathy. They are getting excellent results, thus showing the link of suppressing fevers to chronic disease.
Understand that fevers are a healthy immune response. Fevers help to build a healthy immune system. Respect them, but don’t fear them.