What is the reason for having a fever and feeling cold? What are the correct ways to reduce fever?

Many people usually feel chills due to high fever. This is a normal physiological reaction. When the body has a high fever, the pores tend to open and some of the cold air from outside will be inhaled. The body temperature is too high, which makes people overly sensitive to the outside world, resulting in high fever and chills. When people have a fever, they can wipe with warm water or alcohol, which can speed up blood circulation throughout the body and prevent symptoms of high fever and chills.

Causes of fever and chills

Western perspective

Fever with chills is usually caused by the contraction of the epidermal capillaries, which prevents the body's heat from dissipating. The symptoms are high fever, chills, pale skin and no sweat. Most people with high fever suffer from chills and fever in the early stages, but this may turn into heat intolerance in the later stages. The manifestation of fever caused by chills is the contraction of epidermal capillaries, which is similar to the contraction of epidermal capillaries in normal people when it is cold (to reduce heat loss). This physiological change makes people feel cold or even shivering due to nerve stimulation, so people with high fever will also have this feeling. Of course, since their body temperature is higher than normal people, they will feel that the outside world is colder than normal people.

TCM perspective

Traditional Chinese medicine also believes that fever and fear of cold are aversion to cold and fever refers to the simultaneous occurrence of aversion to cold and fever. It is a common symptom of various exogenous febrile diseases such as colds, typhoid fever, and febrile diseases. Generally, aversion to heat is seen first, followed by fever, and the aversion to cold is relieved after the fever. There are also people who have fever but still feel chills. Fever and chills are the main symptoms of exogenous syndrome.

Physical fever reduction

Physical cooling is suitable for children with high fever and good circulation. The characteristics are simple method and few adverse reactions.

Warm water bath

Suitable for babies with high fever. The water temperature should be slightly lower than the baby's skin temperature (i.e. 32℃-34℃). When the skin is exposed to cold stimulation, the capillaries can contract and then expand, achieving a cooling effect. Massage techniques can also be used during sponge baths to stimulate passive dilation of blood vessels and promote the dissipation of heat. Be careful to apply even force when sponging, and gently massage a few times, which can also promote blood vessel dilation. Rub it to the armpits, groin and other areas with rich blood vessels and stay there for a little longer to help dissipate heat. Bathe the limbs and back for 3-5 minutes each. After a warm water bath, wrap the baby with a large towel, let the baby lie comfortably, and give the baby more warm water.

●Alcohol bath

When using alcohol bath, pay attention to the concentration of alcohol, generally 30%-50% concentration is appropriate. The alcohol should not be too cold, the temperature should be between 32℃ and 35℃. Dip a gauze or towel in alcohol and wipe regularly. Usually start from the child's neck, and rub from top to bottom along the outside of the upper arm to the back of the hand. Then rub along the inner side of the upper arm through the armpit to the palm. After wiping the upper limbs, wipe the back from the neck downwards. While wiping, use the other hand to gently massage and pat the back to promote blood circulation. Finally, start wiping the lower limbs from the iliac area, using the same method as wiping the upper limbs. Wipe each area for about 3 minutes. When wiping the armpits, elbows, palms, groin, soles of feet and other parts, the staying time should be slightly longer to improve the heat dissipation effect.

The baby's skin is delicate, so be gentle when bathing and do not use excessive force to avoid damaging the skin. During the alcohol bath, you should pay attention to keeping the baby warm, avoid exposing too many parts of the body, and cover the wiped areas with clothes and quilts in time. If you find your baby showing abnormal symptoms such as chills or pale face during a sponge bath, you should stop the bath, cover your baby with clothes and quilts to keep warm, and seek medical attention in time. Alcohol baths should not be used on infants and children with weak constitutions.

Note: 1. It is best to place an ice bag on the child's head before sponge bathing. This will not only help to reduce the temperature, but also prevent congestion caused by blood concentration in the head due to the contraction of epidermal blood vessels during sponge bathing.

2. The chest, abdomen and back of the neck are very sensitive to stimulation, which may cause adverse reactions such as reflex slowing of heart rate and diarrhea. Warm water or alcohol baths are not suitable.

3. Children with rashes should not use warm water baths to cool down.

Cold saline enema

Cold salt water soup has a significant cooling effect, but it is not suitable for home use.

Cold compress

If a high fever is unbearable, cold compresses can be used to help lower the body temperature. Place a cold wet towel on your forehead, wrists, and calves, and cover other parts of your body with clothing. When the cold compress reaches body temperature, it should be changed and repeated until the fever subsides. You can also wrap ice cubes in a cloth bag and place it on your forehead.

Heat

If the body temperature is not too high, you can use hot compress to reduce the fever. Use a hot, wet towel to repeatedly wipe the patient's forehead and limbs to dissipate heat from the body until the fever subsides.

However, if the body temperature rises above 39°C, do not use hot compresses to reduce the fever. Instead, use cold compresses to prevent the body temperature from continuing to rise.