VIRAL FEVERS

Viral fevers are caused by variety of viral infections. It can occur in all age group, especially in elders and children with lower immune system. Like all infections viral fevers present with rise in body temperature, body aches, headache and sometimes skin rashes. Many of these fevers are self-limiting which means rest and some home remedies helps to recover from them.

How it is transmitted?

Viral fevers are transmitted through direct contact with infected person’s body fluids, so when the person coughs, sneezes, or even when talking viruses spread through tiny droplets to another person. Than within 1 to 2 days other person develops symptoms of that particular infection.

What are symptoms of viral fever?

1. High grade fever which occurs at regular interval and along with chills occasionally.
2. Body ache with joint pains.
3. Skin rash.
4. Upper respiratory symptoms like sneezing, running nose, cough.
5. Vomiting and diarrhoea in some cases.

How viral fevers are diagnosed?

If the fever persists for more than 48 hours, it is advisable to consult a doctor, who will examine and advise certain test. Sometimes test are done to rule out other causes of fever like malaria, dengue, typhoid, leptospirosis, chikungunya, urinary infections especially in children, etc.

What is the treatment for viral fevers?

If you have symptoms which suggest viral fever it should be treated symptomatically.

1. Adequate rest to be taken which helps for faster recovery.
2. Hydrate adequately to prevent dehydration caused due to high fever.
3. Eat light homemade food like soups, dal, kichidi, apple.
4. Do tepid water sponging or bath to reduce the temperature.

What are DON’TS during viral fever?

1. Avoid taking antipyretics for every little rise in temperature, first try and reduce fever by tepid water sponging or bathing.
2. If fever is very high grade above 101⁰F than only take antipyretics.
3. Avoid self medicating yourself with antibiotics without the advice of doctors, antibiotics work for bacterial infections and not viral fevers. Also inadequate use of antibiotics leads to resistance to bacterial infections and cause certain side-effects on liver and kidneys.

How Homeopathy helps treat viral fevers?

Homeopathy works wonderfully in treating viral fevers by reducing the duration and intensity of fever. It helps to relieve other symptoms which accompany viral fever like respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms, body aches, headaches, etc. Homeopathic medicines should be given in cases of fever only at hands of experienced homeopathic doctor who gives medicines after considering all the minute details of the fever and there are specific instructions regarding taking of medicines which must be followed by the patient.

Also, if the person or child suffers from recurrent fevers of viral nature, homeopathy helps to improve their immune response and thereby reducing the frequency of viral fevers efficiently.

Dr. Zubin S Dehmeri, M.D.(Hom.)

Mob: +91-981921042, Email: connect@drzubindehmeri.com