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Two Parts:General Tips for Breaking a FeverHome Remedies

A fever is the elevation of body temperature above a normal range. Fevers can indicate that there is a more serious medical problem, and it's the body's attempt to fight any virus or bacteria that are posing that problem. Most fevers are mild, or less than 103 degrees F (39.4 degrees C). You can safely treat a mild fever at home. Breaking a fever typically requires the intake of fluids, rest, and over-the-counter medications.

A fever is an important part of the bodies defense mechanism against disease. By increasing the temperature, molecular processes in attacking organisms (bacteria, viruses) become less efficient, giving the body a chance to deal with them. When the body's "Thermostat" is set to a higher temperature, there will be a period where the body temperature is below the "thermostat" temperature. This is perceived by the patient as being cold and causes the usual response to being cold - shivering etc. Once the temperature reaches the set-point, the patient may not experience being particularly hot or cold, even though a high temperature can be measured (fever). Finally, once the body decides to bring the temperature back down, and the "thermostat" is set to a lower temperature, the patient will experience feeling hot, since the body temperature is higher than the "thermostat" set point. This is also called 'breaking' the fever, and signifies the infection being under control and that the fever is coming down. Drugs such as Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory lamination Drugs (NSAIDS - ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen) can be used to temporarily reduce the body's set-point, making the experience of fever more tolerable.


Part 1 of 2: General Tips for Breaking a Fever

  1. 1
    Take the affected person's temperature. Adults can take their temperature via the mouth or rectum using appropriate thermometers. For infants and toddlers, it's best to take rectal readings.
    • Normal body temperature ranges from 98 to 100 degrees F (36.6 to 37.7 degrees C). If the temperature reading is below 102 degrees F (38.8 degrees C), you probably do not need to use medication to break your fever.
    • If your temperature is between 102 and 104 degrees F (38.8 to 40 degrees C), begin a regimen of fever reducing medications.
    • If your temperature is above 104 degrees F (40 degrees C), seek out medical help.[1] A fever above 104 degrees is abnormal and may require medical intervention.
  2. 2
    Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Most fevers need only a little bit of time and a lot of water to break. Remember that fevers are your body's natural defense mechanism, so it means that your body is fighting back.
    • Drink at least the medically-recommended daily average. Adult men are typically advised to drink 13 cups (3 liters) of water a day. Adult women are recommended to drink 9 cups (2.2 liters) of water a day.[2]
    • If you are vomiting or experiencing diarrhea in addition to your fever, you may want to consider staying more hydrated than normal. Cases like vomiting and diarrhea leech extra fluids from your body.
  3. 3
    Use the lowest dose of ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen. You can purchase both medications over-the-counter. Follow directions as listed on the packaging. Do not give aspirin to any children under the age of 18. Aspirin in children has been linked to a dangerous condition called Reye's Syndrome, in which children experience severe brain damage and liver function problems.[3]
  4. 4
    Rest as much as possible. Don't exert yourself; trying sleeping to let your immune system charge up and kick into gear. Symptoms will be more bearable if you're not conscious.
  5. 5
    Feed a cold, starve a fever. Ever heard the saying? Well, it could be true. Try not to eat a lot of food during a fever; stick with clear, healthy liquids. Wondering why?
    • Some infectious organisms use the body's supply of zinc and iron to survive. The human body can send zinc and iron into hiding for this very reason, making additional nutrients rich in zinc and iron a bad idea for a fever.
    • If the person with a fever wants or needs food, something bland and full of liquid, like chicken soup, is likely to do the trick. See section below for other fever-relieving foods, which can be consumed in moderation.
  6. 6
    Consult a doctor if additional symptoms surface. Since a fever can often be a sign of a significant medical problem, if you are unable to reduce your fever or it gets worse, seek medical attention immediately. Certain problem symptoms include:[4]
    • Person feels very hot but is no longer sweating.
    • Person has HIV/AIDS, heart disease, cancer, or diabetes.
    • Person has a stiff neck, is disoriented, or doesn't understand what is going on.
    • Person has rashes, blisters, or other skin irritation on arms or legs.
    • Person has severe pain in lower abdomen.
    • Person has a severe sore throat, severe swelling of the throat, and pain in the ears.

Part 2 of 2: Home Remedies

  1. 1
    Use cold water to your advantage. If you want to break a fever, your first step should probably be harnessing the power of water. Grab a clean cloth, soak it in cool water, wring it out, and apply to your forehead as a kind of cold compress. Change every 10 to 20 minutes, or as desired.
    • Wrap damp socks around your ankles. Another neat trick to try. Get some clean cotton socks, soak them in cool water, wring them out, and apply to ankles.
    • Draw a lukewarm bath. (Optional: add Epsom salts, which may help elevate mood by boosting serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical in the brain.[5]) Hop in and relax as the water begins to cool down.
    • Put an icepack under your arm or beneath your groin. It will be uncomfortable at first, but it should provide relief after the initial shock wears off.
  2. 2
    Eat a popsicle. Popsicles are the darlings of little kids the world over. But they are also an effective way to break a fever. Look for fruit popsicles that contain mostly water instead of a sticky, saccharine solution.
  3. 3
    Drink teas. It may seem counter-intuitive to drink warm liquids in order to break a fever, but drinking tea may cause you to sweat, or your pores to openly briefly, allowing your body temperature to lower. Additionally, teas contain herbal remedies that may be helpful in fighting the virus or bacteria. Here are some teas to try:
    • Catnip tea. Although catnip makes cats naturally playful, it has a rather different effect on humans, acting as a natural sedative. In addition, catnip aids in digestion and serves and a natural fever reducer.
    • Echinacea tincture or tea. Echinacea is a natural anti-inflammatory, has anti-fungal properties, and may help boost the body's immune system.[6] If you don't have tea and you have echinacea extract, try a tincture.
    • Lettuce tea. Bring a pot of water to boil and pour it over an entire head of lettuce in a heat-safe bowl or saucepan. Let the lettuce steep in the tea for 15 minutes before removing. Add sweetener to the liquid if necessary.
    • Raisin tea. Place 1 cup of raisins and 7 cups of water into a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Turn head to a simmer and heat until liquid has reduced by one-third. Remove from heat, strain liquid, and drink when cool enough to taste. Consume 1/2 cup at a time.
  4. 4
    Eat fresh pineapple. Fresh pineapple has natural anti-inflammatory properties in addition to containing an enzyme that aids in digestion, bromelain.[7] Pineapple can help you reduce fever, especially if consumed fresh. Its natural juices help aid in hydration.

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  • Seek medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms while you have a fever: rash, chest pain, recurrent vomiting, swelling on the skin that is hot and red, stiff neck, sore throat, confusion, or fever lasts longer than a week.
  • A fever is a symptom of a variety of illnesses including: viral or bacterial illnesses, blood clots, and fungal infections. Fevers can also be drug-induced.
  • Some fevers are the result of overexertion or abnormally hot weather. These types of fevers do not respond to ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Call for medical help. Remove the person's clothes and attempt to cool the body.


  • Avoid treating a fever with aspirin. Large doses can be toxic for adults and cause Reye's Syndrome in children.
  • If you attempt to cool the body with cold compresses, this can lead to shivers that ultimately increase body temperature if the fever is caused by an infection.
  • Make sure to follow the correct dosage and purchase children's ibuprofen and acetaminophen when you give medication to break a fever to infants, toddlers, and younger children.
  • Rare side effects of fever-reducing medications include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain and heartburn.
  • Acetaminophen should not be used by people with liver failure or who use alcohol heavily.
  • Both ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be dangerous if taken in large doses. Be aware of allergic reactions while taking these medications.
  • People with major medical problems like Cancer,HIV, ALS, Life, etc. should seek immediate medical assistance for a fever.

Article Info

Categories: Colds and Viruses

In other languages:

Italiano: Far Scendere la Febbre, Português: Abaixar Uma Febre, Español: bajar la fiebre, Русский: сбросить жар, Deutsch: Tipps um Fieber zu senken, Français: soigner la fièvre, 中文: 治疗发烧

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