How to manage a fever

Excerpts from “The healing power of fever” by Christopher Vasey ND with additional insight from E. Rosencross

Normal core temperature is 98.6°F.
Core temperature first thing in the morning upon arising is around 97.7°F.
Core temperature at the end of the day is around 99.5°F.
Normal axillary temperature should be between 96.6°F and 98°F.
Normal oral temperature should be between 97.8°F and 98.4°F.
The upper high and lower temperatures that will bring on death are 109.4°F and 86.0°F.
Sub feverish conditions occur between 99.5°F and 100.4°F.
Genuine fever begins at higher than 100.4°F.
Mild fever ranges from 100.6°F to 101.3°F.
Moderate fever runs from 101.3°F to 102.2°F.
A strong fever is a temperature of 102.3°F or higher, and a severe fever is 104°F or higher.
Fever spikes between 105.8°F and 107.6°F can be tolerated, however anything over 109.4°F will be fatal.
During fever, the temperature of the peripheral layer of the body is the same as the core temperature, whereas, under normal conditions it is always slightly lower.
There are numerous cases of fever, the best-known being microbial infection such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasitic infections.
Additional causes of fever could come from poisoning, allergic reactions, the presence of cancerous cells, overeating or physical exhaustion.
All of the above substances and conditions oblige the body to react in order to protect itself from their harmful influence. The end result is a fever.
The body reacts to excessive waste and poisons in two primary ways:
The first way is elimination through the excretory organs, which filter waste from the blood and lymph and then expel them from the body.
These organs include the respiratory tract, skin, liver, intestines and kidneys.
The eliminations that result are exhibited in a runny nose or sinus, eruptions on the skin, diarrhea, vomiting or bile attacks, increased urination and urine that is thick, acidic, irritating, and dark.
The second means the body has at its disposal for ridding itself of waste is to “burn” them, breaking them down into smaller particles that will be easier to eliminate. This combustion is achieved through increased oxygen intake and increased enzymatic activity. In turn, this necessitates and triggers an accelerated rate of exchanges and an increased speed of blood circulation and respiratory rhythm. The overall intensification of the metabolism engenders an increase in body temperature, in other words, this causes a fever.
Normal cardiac rhythm is 60 beats per minute, however during a fever it can elevate to 100 beats per minute or higher.
The temperature regulating center in the brain is the hypothalamus.
Generally speaking, people with strong vitality will experience much more aggressive and high fevers.
A person lacking vitality, whose body only has a minimal amount of strength for fighting the infection, will produce a weakened defense reaction and usually a lower fever.
Children generally produce higher fevers, because children have more vitality to draw from then the elderly.

The intensity of the fever also depends on how dangerous the infection is. The more harmful the germs, generally the more the body is likely to react against them in force with a higher fever.
Fevers can be gradual or sudden in nature. In a gradual fever the germs multiply slowly. With a sudden fever, the germs multiply quickly.
A fever of short duration shows that the body has quickly neutralized an infection. The defense mechanism shutdowns, because the threat they were responding to has vanished. When a fever lasts for an extended period, it is a sign that the body has not yet managed to completely defeat the infection, and the defense system must continue its efforts.
When the organs are actively working to defend the body against a microbial infection or a poison, an elevation of body temperature will result. If this goes higher than 1.8° above the normal temperature of 98.6°F it is called a fever.
Fever is a means of self-defense. Fever denotes poisoning or infection.
Cutting a fever short goes against common sense. It would amount to hoping the patient can be cured while opposing every attempt the body makes to heal them.
The benefits of fever are to burn away toxins, eliminate toxins, weaken germs, stimulate the immune system and to accelerate the transportation of lymphocytes to the site of infection.
The person with a fever has need of the following: rest and quiet, fresh ventilation, plenty of fluids- primarily water or chamomile tea, cleanliness including frequent showers and periodic gentle movement.

The three dietary phases associated with a fever are the liquid phase, the fluid phase and the solid phase.
The liquid phase- drink filtered or spring water, herbal tea, vegetable broth or fruit or vegetable juices. Consume these liquids while the fever is rising until it peaks and begins to go down. The body’s digestive capabilities are reduced while the fever is rising, so adhere to the liquid phase during this time.
The fluid phase- these foods have more consistency than the liquids but are not solid foods. One can include smoothies or beef or chicken broths during this phase, in addition to the liquids mentioned above. Increased hunger or weakness are signs that one is ready to move onto the solid phase of food consumption.
The solid phase- in this phase solid foods can be re-introduced including fruits, vegetables, soups, broiled or baked fish, scrambled eggs or cream of rice cereal as examples. Avoid sugar, flour and dairy except butter during this phase.

Use herbal laxatives to stimulate the bowel as needed- or apricot or prune juice can be used.
Use cold towels wrapped around the calf muscles or put over the forehead to reduce temperature.
Alternate use of heat or cold to regulate the fever and create comfort for the patient.
Temperature should be taken three times a day- morning, afternoon and evening in the same location and using the same thermometer- under the armpit or under the tongue are the easiest to do.
Remember, temperatures tend to rise in the evening.
Calcium lactate (1-2 / 2 hours) helps regulate fevers. One can use hot baths to raise a fever along with hot chamomile tea. Many old-time healers would artificially raise fevers to aid the body’s natural responses with chronic conditions.

E. Rosencross