Article: A fever itself is not necessarily unhealthy. It's not an illness; it's a physiological response to something else. Your body will often react to sickness or infection with a fever; it is a defensive response by your immune system as it tries to rid the body of pyrogens (fever-producing substances). Acting too quickly to treat your fever can, counterintuitively, harm your body by undercutting one of its defensive measures. Rather than treating your fever immediately, continue to take your temperature and monitor your symptoms. The fever will probably subside in time. Having a fever can sometimes cause headaches, as well as joint and muscle pain. If your fever symptoms are uncomfortable, you can alleviate them with ibuprofen (Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Avoid giving aspirin for a fever, especially if you are dealing with a sick child. Aspirin can have harmful side effects for anyone under the age of 18. Aspirin is generally more likely than ibuprofen or acetaminophen to cause gastrointestinal side effects. Never give aspirin to a child. It can cause a potentially life-threatening condition called Reyes Syndrome. This is the best forms of fever treatment; further exertion will likely cause the feverand the infection or illness that caused the fever in the first placeto worsen. Wear light clothing to keep your body cool. You should avoid raising your body temperature any higher than it already is, especially if it is summer or you live in a warm climate. Sleep when you can, under only a sheet or light blanket. Often the discomfort of a fever makes it difficult to sleep at night. Any sleep will help your body; take naps during the day, and sleep when you can at night. Along with resting, you must hydrate your body when it is feverish. Fevers often cause the body to sweat, which expels fluids from the body. To compensate for these lost fluids, drink plenty of water. Although children may prefer to drink soda or juice, these fluids are not as helpful in staying hydrated. However, if your feverish child will only drink soda or juice, it's better than nothing. Coffee and tea are also not as effective as water. Immersing your body in lukewarm water will cool off your skin and may alleviate discomfort from the fever. Don't submerge yourself for too long; you want to give your body a chance to release heat through evaporation. Do not take an ice bath; the water temperature should be around 85 F. If you are caring for a feverish child, try sponging them or wiping their skin with a damp sponge or a wet washcloth.
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Let the fever run its course. Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for any discomfort. Rest as much as possible. Hydrate your body by drinking water. Bathe yourself in lukewarm water.