THE BENEFITS OF FEVER

• Immune cells work more effectively at higher temperatures.
  

• Chemical reactions in our body speed up at higher temperatures.
  

• Foreign invaders & harmful organisms do not survive in high temperatures.
  

• We are forced to slow down and rest so that the body can heal.
  

• The fever process increases the elimination of toxins through various discharges: diarrhoea, vomiting, sweating & the production of mucous.
  

• Fever plays a key role in a child's development - it stimulates the immune response which strengthens the body's own resistance to future infection.

PRESCRIBING HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES

If you or your child are in pain or finding the fever difficult to cope with or if there are any signs of infection such as an earache, sore throat, or cough – then homeopathic remedies can really help.

If you or your child are in pain or finding the fever difficult to cope with or if there are any signs of infection such as an earache, sore throat, or cough – then homeopathic remedies can really help.

Homeopathic medicine kits usually supply their remedies in the
30th potency, in general during a fever you can prescribe a 30C every hour or less depending on the intensity and severity of the symptoms.

If you only have a lower potency such as a 6th, 12th or 18th then these can be given more frequently.

Higher potencies such as 200C, 1M or 10M are sometimes appropriate often with remedy pictures such as Belladonna however these should be used as directed by your homeopath.

DO NOT go down in potency ie. do not start on a 200C and then go down to a 30C

WHEN TO GIVE A REMEDY AND WHEN TO WAIT

1. STOP giving the remedy when symptoms HAVE GONE or CHANGED
   

2. REPEAT the remedy if the same symptoms return
   

3. NEW symptoms or a 'picture' that CHANGES may require a NEW REMEDY. in this case reassess the symptoms and see which might provide a closer match to their new picture following the above instructions.
   

4. If the remedy helps but then wears off quickly - REPEAT. you can do this up to every 15 minutes if the intensity of symptoms require it.
   

5. If there has been NO CHANGE after 6 doses then it is likely that ANOTHER REMEDY is needed - in this case re-assess the symptom picture.
   

6. If you are unsure or your well-indicated remedies do not help then please contact your homeopath.

HOW WILL HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINES WORK

Homeopathy will not suppress the fever if that is what the body is needing to do, however if the fever is particularly high it may lower it. You or your child should feel comfortable. Often after taking a remedy you or your child will fall asleep – this is a
good sign.

KEY HOMEOPATHIC FEVER REMEDIES

When finding an acute remedy you are looking for a remedy with matching symptoms that characterise your patients picture. There are many remedies that are appropriate for the treatment of fever, many of which you will find in a FIRST AID REMEDY KIT. If you work with a homeopath then they will be able to help you with specific remedies and potencies that are characteristic to your constitution.

ACONITE

• sudden onset

• sudden onset especially after fright or shock

• sudden onset after exposure to a cold wind

• waves of chills

• high fever with a racing pulse

• burning sensation in the eyes, nose, ears &.or throat

• fearful

• restless

• thirsty for cold drinks

• alternates between hot and cold

• often starts around midnight

APIS

• a burning heat

• may also have chills

• face may appear puffy/swollen

• redness &/or swelling

• may have a severe cough

• shooting &/or burning pain

• thirstless during fever

• better from cool air, cool applications

• worse from heat, warm applications

• worse being touched

• worse moving

ARSENICUM

• icy coldness

• shivering

• feels chilly but hot when touched

• wants fresh air around the head but needs to be covered

• needs comfort, company and reassurance

• thirst but only drinks in sips of water

• may desire warm or hot drinks that will sip

• onset or worsening of symptoms between midnight and 2am

BAPTISIA

• chills with soreness

• muscles feel bruised

• high fever

• sudden onset

• gastric influenza

• heavy &/or dull facial expression as if drunk

• face may have a dark red hue

• may appear deathly ill

• gastric bug, influenza, tonsillitis, septic fever

BELLADONNA

• red, hot, throbbing face or body

• red, hot, throbbing sensations/pains

• alternatively face may also be pale

• sudden onset

• heat may radiate off of the body

• glazed eyes, dilated pupils

• cold or cold extremities

• angry

• may be delirious, may see monsters

• very little thirst

• tonsils, neck &.or messentric glands in the abdomen may be swollen/painful

• vomiting &/or nausea

BRYONIA

• fever with a cold

• a gradual onset fever

• red face

• dryness - mouth, lips, skin, lungs etc

• extreme thirst, takes a long time to drink

• foul smelling breath

• grumpy, irritable

• wants to be left alone

• wants to be at home

• may have a strong headache/migraine

• may be constipated

• commonly occurs in Spring and Autumn/Fall

CHAMOMILLA

• alternating heat and chills

• one part hot and another part cold

• one cheek may be red the other pale

• restless

• nothing satisfies - will ask for something then will reject it

• irritation, anger &/or fury

• babies and children want to be carried

• babies will want to be held and constantly in movement

• commonly seen in earache, milk fever, mastitis, teething

CHINA

• chills followed by thirst then fever

• drenching sweats during the night

• perspiration on the least exertion

• weakness

• suffers severely from dehydration (electrolytes to drink will help them rehydrate)

• severe pain, may weep with the pain

• perspiration with the least exertion

• useful in prolonged &/or intermittent cases

FERRUM PHOSOPHORICUM

• useful in early stages of fever

• the picture may change quickly and require another remedy

• debilitated

• chilly

• pale faced

• flushed cheeks

• sensitive

• mucous in the nose, sinuses and throat

• temperature is not as high as for example as in a Belladonna fever

• eyes may be bloodshot

GELSEMIUM

• chills running up and down the back

• weakness

• drowsiness

• absence of thirst - thirstless

• dull headache

• may feel light-headed

• heaviness of the body

• may tremble

• muscle soreness

• eyelids may feel heavy or appear half-closed

• sore throats, influenza, earache, teething, sunstroke

eupatorium perfoliatum

• chills preceded by thirst

• severe aching and soreness in the bones

• a “breaking” bone pain

• burning heat

• intermittent fever

• onset often in the morning

• strong thirst

• extreme weakness

• feels bruised, as if bones are broken

• nausea &/or vomiting

• a common Autumn/Fall remedy picture

LACHESIS

• very marked symptoms in fever

• sore throat including tonsillitis or layrngitis

• earaches

• headaches

• left sided symptoms that may move to the right side

• purplish tone for example mouth, tongue etc.

• foul breath

• unable to bear anything around throat or waist

• hot sweat around head &/or neck

• swallowing difficult &/or painful

• anxious

LYCOPODIUM

• feels chills with fever

• fever not much over 38.3 C / 101F

• chilliness and shivering around 3 to 4pm followed by sweating

• chills alternating with heat

• continuous fevers

• short or rattling breathing

• deep hollow cough

• may feel bloated or flatulent

• worse right side, worse right to left

• sore throat better warm drinks

MERCURY

• fever characterised by strong sweating that does not relieve instead makes them uncomfortable

• alternates extreme heat to extreme chilliness

• easily chilled and alternatively easily overheated

• worse evening and during the night

• strong thirst for cold water, unquenchable thirst

• head as if in a vice

• foul breath

• metallic taste in the mouth

• stools may be foul, slimy, greenish, bloody

• face pale, puffy under the eyes, cheeks swollen

PULSATILLA

• low grade fevers no higher than 38C / 101 F

• feels warm

• weakness

• whimpering, whining, clingy &/or weepy

• may be accompanied by a stomach ache

• absence of thirst bu may desire milk

• changeable symptoms

• moaning during fever

• worse in a warm room

• better fresh air

• excessive mucous which may be green

• fevers due to hormonal changes

• childhood fevers chickenpox, earache, mumps, measles

RHUS TOXICODENDRON

• feels chilly, easily chilled

• sensation as if cold water were poured over them followed by sensation of heat

• yawning brings on chills

• sore muscles, aching limbs

• restless, wants to move and stretch

• must be covered

• better warmth

• better after perspiration

• may have a dry cough, sore throat, headache

• skin sensitive to cold

• red triangle at tip of tongue

• common in Winter and Aumtumn/Fall

SIMPLE MEASURES TO MANAGE THE FEVER

WATCH FOR DEHYDRATION

• drink water, even if only small sips.

• Offer a wet flannel for your baby or child to suck on if they refuse to drink directly.

FOLLOW THE BODY

• if feeling hot but actually cold to touch with possible shivering and goose bumps indicates that the body is still trying to reach its desired temperature, so keep warm until this is achieved.

• when feeling hot, with posible redness, sweating and the need to undress or uncover, the body has reached its desired temperature and can now be supported to cool down. This can be done by sponging the body. Use TEPID/WARM WATER ONLY (DO NOT USE COLD WATER as this shocks the body). Wring the sponge/cloth out and gently working from the centre of the body outwards towards the extremities (arms & legs).

• Keep following the body as needed.