Children frequently experience fever. Fever in itself is not a disease but is a sign that there is some infection in the body that our body is fighting with. Fever is defined as temperature of 99 °F or more when measured underarm (armpit), 100 °F or more when taken orally (at the mouth), or 100.4 °F or more measured rectally. The signs and symptoms of fever might include body being warm to touch, chills, irritability, being less active, reduced appetite, body aches along with signs and symptoms specific to infection like pain in the throat in case of sore throat or tonsillitis; runny nose, sneezing in case of cold; diarrhea (loose stool), vomiting, stomach pain in case of stomach infection. In some cases of fever, a rash on the skin may be seen. Some children may get seizures (fits) along with fever (febrile seizures).

Fever in children can arise from several causes. Most of the cases of fever result from viral infections but bacterial infections can also be the cause. Fever can occur after administration of some vaccine. Some of the common illnesses in children where fever can occur includes sore throat, tonsillitis, strep throat, flu, cold, cough, URTI (upper respiratory tract infection), ear infections, UTI (urinary tract infection), stomach infections and eruptive fevers where rashes appear on the skin like in chicken pox and measles. Some of the serious causes of fever in children include pneumonia (an infection that causes inflammation of air sacs of the lungs), meningitis (an infection and inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord) and septicaemia (a serious infection resulting from bacteria in blood).

Homeopathic Management

Homeopathy is very effective in managing fever in children. These medicines are entirely safe to use with zero side effects as they are prepared from naturally occurring substances. Homeopathic medicines boost child’s natural healing mechanism to fight infection and overcome frequent complaints of fever naturally. These medicines manage the symptoms of fever and the associated infection, reduce the temperature gradually to normal level and bring excellent results in such cases. The most suitable medicine has to be selected separately in every individual case after detailed case evaluation based on the characteristic symptom presentation. It is advised to get every case evaluated by a doctor and take medicine under the supervision of a doctor. As the cause behind fever can also be a serious one, so self-medication should not be done in any case. Homeopathic medicines are recommended for cases of fever of mild to moderate intensity occurring without any serious cause. In severe cases and in fever occurring from serious causes like pneumonia, meningitis, immediate help from conventional mode of treatment should be taken as homeopathy has limitation in handling such cases. Some of the signs that could indicate serious illness include lethargy, drowsiness when it becomes hard to wake up the child, extreme irritability, breathing difficulty, continuous crying, stiffness of the neck, seizure, bleeding under the skin, confusion, blue lips or nails, severe headache, rash not fading on pressing, persistent vomiting and signs of dehydration. In babies less than 3 months having temperature more than 100.4 °F, one should contact a doctor immediately.

Homeopathic Medicines For Fever In Children

1. Belladonna – Top Recommended Medicine With Excessive heat

Belladonna is the most prominently indicated medicine to manage fever in children. In children needing it, excessive heat is present in the whole body during fever. There is marked redness on the face. Excessive thirst is felt during heat stage. Heat stage is followed by the body becoming cold. The child is restless during fever. There is redness of the throat and tonsils. Tonsils are swollen and enlarged. Pain is felt in the throat which gets worse while swallowing, especially liquids. Dry cough may be present. Coughing worsens at night in most of the cases. Nausea may be felt. Everything tastes bitter. The child tends to cry frequently. It is one of the best homeopathic medicines for managing fever in cases of sore throat, tonsillitis, cough.

2. Chamomilla – With Excessive Irritability

Chamomilla is an important medicine to manage cases of fever with intense irritability. The child needing it needs to be constantly carried in arms. Along with irritability, the child feel restless. He/she may have loose stool with pain. An increased thirst for water is noted. Vomiting may happen. There is sleeplessness along with fever. While in fever, there is redness on one cheek and paleness of the other cheek. It is one of the top recommended medicines for fever during dentition with intense irritability. It is also indicated for managing cold with fever in children.

3. Aconite – For Fever With Cold, Cough, Sore Throat

This medicine is indicated in case of fever with cold, cough, or sore throat. There is marked heat in the body and dry burning skin where this medicine is needed. There is desire to uncover the body during fever. There is redness on the face and increased thirst for water. During cold, there is fluent discharge from the nose and sneezing. Sometimes there is dry cold (means blocked nose without any discharge) accompanied with headache. The throat is inflamed and red. General anxiety and restlessness may be present.

4. Ferrum Phos – In Case Of Tonsillitis And Sore Throat

Ferrum Phos is another well-indicated medicine for fever with tonsillitis and sore throat. The tonsils are red, swollen and painful. In most cases, tonsils, mainly on the right side, are affected. Throat is usually dry. Bad smell occurs from the mouth. There is heat in the body with sweating on the hands. Thirst for water decreases. With fever, vomiting can be there. Besides these, Ferrum Phos is also indicated to manage fever that occurs with complaints of teething in babies.

5. Hepar Sulph – For Fever With chilliness In Sore throat

This medicine is recommended for fever along with chill spells in cases of sore throat. The throat is painful when swallowing saliva. Throat is red with the presence of enlarged red follicles on it. There is redness and swelling of tonsils. There is dry cough. There is no thirst for water. Sleeplessness is there.

6. Cina – With Loose Stool And Vomiting

Cina is a beneficial medicine when there is fever with loose stool and vomiting. Fever occurs at the same time every day when this medicine is required. Chills are felt over the entire body followed by a heated sensation. During chills, there is shivering and shaking of the body. A very characteristic feature is that the tongue is clean during fever. The children requiring this medicine are very irritable and want to be carried in arms all the time but carrying gives no relief to them.

7. Arsenic Album – With Weakness And Restlessness

This medicine is well suited when there is weakness and restlessness with fever. An important feature is that there is thirst for little quantity of water at short intervals. There may be heated sensation or chills during fever. There is a desire to be covered during fever. This medicine helps deal with different kinds of infections including cold, cough, sore throat, and stomach infections.

8. Silicea – With Marked Chilliness And Shivering

Silicea is of great use in cases where chills and shivering are well marked along with fever.  In most cases needing this medicine, fever occurs at night. This medicine is very effective for managing fever during teething with sensitive gums. Fever occurs towards the evening and night. There is heated sensation in the head. There is excessive bad-smelling sweat, especially on the head and feet.

 

 

Sore throat refers to an irritation, scratchiness or pain in the throat that usually gets worse on swallowing in most cases. Sore throat can result due to various reasons. These may include infectious as well as non-infectious causes. Infectious cause mainly includes infections that can be viral or bacterial infections. Common viral infections include common cold and flu. Bacterial infections can also lead to sore throat like strep throat. Strep throat is a throat infection that is caused by streptococcus pyogenes bacteria. In such cases, white patches or pus pints appear on the tonsils. Strep throat needs immediate medical treatment because it carries a risk of complications if left untreated. These complications include abscess (pus collection) around the tonsils called quinsy or peritonsillar abscess, inflammation of the kidneys, joint pains, and damage to the heart valve.

Non-infectious causes include allergies, yelling, prolonged singing, GERD, irritation from chemicals or smoking. In cases of infection, fever may occur along with its other signs and symptoms that include pain in the throat, throat irritation, dryness, burning sensation in the throat, redness, and swelling in the throat. Other attending symptoms could include cough, voice hoarseness, runny nose, stuffy nose, sneezing, body aches, weakness, headache and loss of appetite. Sore throat is referred to as pharyngitis when swelling occurs in the throat, tonsillitis when swelling appears in the tonsils and laryngitis when there is swelling in the larynx i.e. voice box.

Homeopathic Management

Homeopathy is very effective in managing fever with sore throat with the use of natural remedies. These medicines are entirely safe to use as they are prepared from naturally occurring substances. They have zero side effects. Homeopathic medicines help magnificently in managing this concern by boosting the body’s natural healing mechanism to fight with the infection and aid natural recovery. Along with fever, other associated symptoms like pain in the throat, irritation / dryness in the throat, body aches, runny nose, stuffy nose, sneezing are also managed well wonderfully with these medicines. Homeopathic medicines are selected for every individual case separately after detailed case evaluation. So one must take homeopathic medicines under supervision of a homeopath and avoid self-medication. Homeopathic medicines are recommended only for cases of mild to moderate fever. In case of high fever help from conventional mode of treatment should be taken. Also in cases of strep throat, help from conventional mode of treatment should be taken. Homeopathy can be taken along with conventional treatment in such cases but individual use of homeopathic medicines should be avoided in strep throat.

Homeopathic Medicines For Fever With Sore Throat

1. Belladonna – Top Grade Medicine

Belladonna is a top recommended medicine to manage fever along with sore throat. In cases needing it, there is intense burning heat over the entire body due to fever and is most marked on the face and the head. The face looks red. There is anxiety and restlessness. The heat stage is followed by a cold stage in most cases requiring Belladonna. The throat looks bright red and is very dry. The tonsils are also bright red. There is marked pain in the throat which gets worse on swallowing especially while consuming liquids as compared to solid food. Heated sensation is felt in the throat. Constriction is also felt in the throat. Dry, short and tickling cough can attend to it. Cough is worse at night. Belladonna is indicated for all types of sore throat cases including pharyngitis, tonsillitis and laryngitis.

2. Hepar Sulph – For Fever With Chills And Shivering

This medicine is indicated for fever with sore throat when chills are marked along with shivering. Chilliness is felt from the slightest draft of air with a desire to be covered. During chills, soreness is felt in all the limbs. Weakness is also marked. Chills alternate with the heat stage. In the heat stage, one feels headache and becomes increasingly thirsty. Dry heat occurs at night with sweating on the hands. There is redness inside the throat with enlarged red follicles on it. The tonsils are also red and swollen. There is pain in the throat on swallowing. Stitching type of pain occurs in the throat that tends to extend to the ears. A sensation of plug of mucus or a splinter (a small sharp piece of glass or wood broken form a large piece) is felt in the throat. Hawking of yellow mucus may attend. Loose cough with thick yellow mucus expectoration can be present in addition to the above complaints.

3. Ferrum Phos – For Initial Stage Of Fever

This medicine is highly suitable in initial stages of fever with sore throat. General heat is felt in the body with a little thirst. Heat is accompanied with sweating on the palm of hands. The cheeks are red. There is sore throat along with cold. There is dryness and redness of the pharynx, tonsils and the palate attended with pain. The tonsils are red, swollen and red mainly on the right side. Ulcers can be present in the throat. There is fetid breath along with the above complaints. Excessive mucus is also felt in the throat.

4. Aconite – When Cold Stage Of Fever Predominates

Aconite is of great help when the cold stage is predominant during all the stages of fever. Marked chilliness is felt with chills running down the back. Excessive restlessness is felt along with fever. Chilliness alternates with heat. Heated sensation is marked in the mouth, nose, eyelids, throat and palms. The face is red. There is excessive thirst during fever. The throat and tonsils look dark red. Burning and stinging pains are felt in the throat. At times, prickling sensation is felt in the throat. There is dryness in the throat with a feeling as if something is stuck in the throat. There is difficulty in swallowing. Voice becomes hoarse. There is pain in the throat while talking. The throat feels constricted leading to hawking and sometimes vomiting.

5. Merc Sol – With Alternate Heat And Shivering And Excessive Sweating

This medicine is useful when heat alternates with shivering and excessive sweating. The hands and feet are constantly cold. Weakness is present along with chilliness. There is profuse sweating that has an offensive smell. Excessive sweat does not relieve the suffering. On examining the throat, the tonsils look red, swollen and enlarged. Ulcers or whitish spots are visible on the tonsils. The uvula is enlarged and swollen. There is a feeling of something hanging in the throat. There is pain in the throat radiating to the ears while swallowing. There is excessive salivation in the mouth along with the above complaints. An offensive smell occurs from the mouth.

6. Arsenic Album – For Fever With Anxiety And Restlessness

Arsenic Album is an effective medicine to manage fever along with anxiety and restlessness. Internal chill is felt with external heat or vice versa where this medicine is required. Fever usually occurs at night. Intense exhaustion is felt along with fever. There is sore throat which is relieved from consuming warm drinks. Throat is painful with dryness and burning sensation. Cold can also be there. In such cases, watery discharge flows from the nose. Nose feels stuffed. Burning and itching are felt in the nose. Sneezing accompanies the above complaints.

 

 

Weakness, low energy level and tiredness after fever even after other symptoms of fever have already vanished are quite common. Fever is a temporary rise in the body temperature usually resulting from an infection (viral, or bacterial) that tends to go away in a few days. In a few days, general symptoms related to fever, like heat, chills, and sweating get over besides, other symptoms particular to an infection like vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps in case of stomach infection; and runny nose, cough, sore throat, blocked nose in case of cold/flu.

However, in some cases, weakness tends to linger on for a relatively longer time after subsiding of these symptoms. It may remain for two weeks and even more than that varying from case to case. Along with weakness, some other symptoms can attend like body aches (muscle/joint pain), headache, problems in concentration, and decreased appetite.

Homeopathic Management

Homeopathic medicines can prove to be highly effective in overcoming weakness after fever along with taking good sleep, proper nutrition, and increased fluid intake. Homeopathic medicines act as great tonics that boost body’s self-healing mechanism to overcome a tired, exhausted feeling in a natural manner. Homeopathic medicines help to revitalize the body, when the body is drained out, in a very safe and effective manner with zero side effects. Along with weakness, they also help to manage attending symptoms like body aches, headache, decreased appetite, and concentration issues. Homeopathic medicines can be used for weakness after any sort of fever. Homeopathic medicines to overcome weakness are to be selected individually as per the characteristic symptoms present after complete analysis. Though homeopathic medicines are entirely safe to use, it is advised to use any medicine under the supervision of a homeopathic physician; self-medication needs to be avoided.

Homeopathic Medicines For Weakness After Fever

1. Arsenic Album – Top Recommended Medicine

Though there are several medicines in homeopathy to deal with cases of weakness after fever, Arsenic Album tops the list among these. Persons needing it feel severe weakness and exhaustion. They feel weak constantly round the clock more so at night. Due to lack of strength, they feel like lying down all the time. The slightest exertion results in weakness. They may feel anxious and restless along with weakness. Arsenic Album act as an effective tonic to regain body strength that has been affected by fever.

2. Gelsemium – For Weakness Along With Sleepiness

Gelsemium is an effective medicine to deal with cases having weakness attended with excessive sleepiness. The persons requiring it have intense drowsiness with a desire to sleep all the time. Besides, there may be marked dizziness (a sensation as if a person is spinning or the world around him/her is spinning) as well. To help cases of weakness after viral infections especially flu, Gelsemium is listed among one of the most important homeopathic medicines. Here the most characteristic symptom to use this medicine is exhaustion attended with a heavy and tired feeling in the limbs. There is muscle pain too along with the above symptoms. Other than physical tiredness, the person may suffer from headache, exhaustion and dullness of the mind along with problem in concentration.

3. Kali Phos – For Weakness After Flu (Influenza)

This medicine is best indicated for weakness after flu (an infection of the nose, throat and lungs occurring from influenza virus, that causes fever, sore throat, body aches, headache and respiratory symptoms). When weakness persists after flu, Kali Phos proves as the best tonic to rejuvenate the entire body. Persons needing it feel extremely tired both physically and mentally. They feel drained out and even a small task seems big. They may also suffer sleeplessness and.

4. Phosphoric Acid – For Weakness and Weight Loss

It is another suitable medicine for managing cases of weakness remaining after fever. In cases needing it, weakness is attended with weight loss. The whole body feels drained out with low energy levels. The face looks sunken along with dark circles around the eyes. The eyelids feel droopy. The limbs feel heavy. Weakness may improve after a short sleep.

5. Psorinum – For Weakness After Prolonged Fever

This medicine is well-indicated for managing weakness after prolonged fever. There is tiredness constantly along with sleepiness. Weakness worsens from exertion. There is pain in the whole body along with a tired feeling. Besides, there is marked sensitivity to cold. The person looks pale. There is a tendency to sweat excessively at night. Besides the above symptoms, loss of appetite is also marked in some cases requiring it.

6. China Officinalis – To Manage Weakness Along With Cold Skin

This medicine is beneficial when a person feels exhausted along with coldness of the skin. Walking makes a person tired, the body may tremble while sitting down or while rising from the sitting posture. Excessive irritability attends this complaint. There is an aversion to do any sort of exertion. Loss of appetite, excessive sweating and sleeplessness may be present. Besides, there may be excessive bloating of abdomen along with gas.

7. Baptisia – To Manage Weakness With Trembling

This medicine proves helpful when there is excessive tiredness along with trembling in the body and desire to lie down all the time. Persons needing it feel too weak to move around. They feel incapable of doing any sort of physical or mental exertion. The weakness is most marked in arms and legs. With this, there is excessive pain in the muscles attended with soreness (pain occurring from touch). Bad smell from urine, stool, sweat and breath may emanate.

8. Carbo Veg – For Exhaustion With Fainting Spells

This medicine is indicated when there is intense exhaustion with frequent spells of fainting. Weakness is well-marked after walking a little. Due to weakness, even talking gets difficult. The body may feel cold along with weakness. Trembling in the body may also attend.

9. Rhus Tox – For Weakness Along With Body Aches

Rhus Tox is a useful medicine to manage weakness and body aches after fever. Persons needing it feel like sitting or lying down the whole day. They do not feel like rising in th morning and getting ready. They have body aches along with stiffness and soreness in the body. Lower limbs feel powerless.

 

 

Feeling feverish is a seasonal reality, popping in a pill and hoping it improves your condition as you go about your business is a reality too. But here’s the catch: Over-the-counter pill might bring down the temperature, but the infection will still remain in the body. Here’s where the role of homeopathic medicines for fever comes into play, as these are made of natural substances, and offer a different course of medical approach: these natural medicines target the infection, so the root cause is eliminated.

Fever, also termed as pyrexia, is a temporary rise in body temperature above normal. The normal body temperature ranges from 97 F to 98.7 degree Fahrenheit.  Fever in itself is not a disease but is only an external signal that denotes an internal infection or inflammation in the body. Everybody’s normal body temperature varies between 97 and 99 degrees F. Fever is defined as a temperature of 100.4 degrees F or above.

For kids temperature higher than 100.4 degree F (measured rectally); 99.5 degree F (measured orally); or 99 degree F (measured under the arm) is considered fever.

Top Natural Homeopathic Medicines for Fever

1. Aconite – For Fever with Restlessness and Anxiety

Aconite is the perfect remedy for the first stage of inflammatory fever. It is a natural remedy of great help when the fever is accompanied by extreme restlessness and anxiety. The patient feels an increased thirst for cold water and the body aches are intolerable. The use of medicine Aconite should always be considered when the fever has risen after sudden exposure to cold winds. There is extreme chill in the body, and the patient desires to be covered up always.

When and How to take Aconite?

Fever is always accompanied by excessive thirst and intense restlessness. Fever is accompanied by chills and feels better by wrapping up. A general recommendation is to start with 30C potency which can be repeated 3-4 times in a day. A higher potency 200C can be taken twice in a day if the symptoms still persist. It is advisable to consult a homeopathic physician before taking it in 1M or higher potency.

2. Bryonia Alba – For Fever with Bodyache

Bryonia Alba is a natural medicine for patients in whom body aches predominate during fever along with chills. Body is cold to touch along with chills. Such a person wants to lie down still to get relief and slight motion worsens his or her condition. There is increased thirst. Symptoms get worse from warmth, movement and touch but one feels better by lying on the painful side.

When and How to take Bryonia Alba?

This medicine is indicated for cases where chills and body pain accompany fever. After carefully matching the symptoms, lower potency 30C can be taken and repeated 2-3 times in a day. 200C potency can be taken once in a day and repeated infrequently. 1M is a high potency and should be used cautiously;  it is important to consult a homeopathic practitioner before repeating this potency particularly.

3. Eupatorium Perfoliatum – For Fever With Bone Pain

Eupatorium Perfoliatum is one of the most efficient fever remedies in homeopathy. It is of great help to treat fever when the patient experiences severe bone pain. This remedy provides quick relief from pain. The main indication that can be given more importance while taking Eupatorium Perfoliatum for fever is that the character of fever is periodic (repeated at certain fixed intervals). The chill stage is accompanied by intense aching and bone pains. The patient shivers and shakes with agonising pain in the head and eyes. The character of pain is bruised and the patient feels as if beaten. Though it can be given for any kind of fever, it is a leading remedy for dengue fever and malaria.

How and When to take Eupatorium Perfoliatum?

Eupatorium Perfoliatum is the ideal natural medicine when extreme pains accompany fever. This remedy is capable of managing fever in any age group. Eupatorium Perfoliatum can be used in 30C potency for mild cases of fever and other complaints such as great soreness and bone pain. It can be repeated as frequently as three to four times a day. 200C and 1M potency should be used only after careful matching of the disease symptoms with the symptoms of the patient.

4. Gelsemium – For Fever With Weakness

Gelsemium has been considered an excellent remedy for treatment of Influenza for long. It is very beneficial in fever cases where the patients suffer from weakness, dizziness and even the tendency to faint. There is an absence of thirst in most cases. Though it is a prominent medicine for influenza, in some cases, it can be used in early stage of typhoid fever with great exhaustion, dizziness with the patient preferring to be covered.

When and How to take Gelsemium?

Gelsemium shows all the characteristics of viral influenza. There is body ache, myalgia (musclular pain), sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, dullness, weakness and headache. When these symptoms are prominent, Gelsemium  should be considered. It works well in all potencies but it is best to start with 30C, it can be repeated up to 3-4 times in a day. It can be taken twice in 200C potency. It is advisable to consult a homeopath before administration in 1M potency.

5. Rhus Tox – For Fever with Extreme Bodyache

Rhus Tox is one of the top natural medicines for persons who have fever with extreme body aches, leading to restlessness. Such a person wants to remain in motion to get relief. Rhus Tox is also the natural medicine for fever as a result of getting wet in rain. During fever, there is shivering all over the body, tongue becomes dry with stretching pain in body, along with mental and physical weakness.

When and how to take Rhus tox?

Rhus tox is often indicated in fever with pain and great restlessness in the body. It has demonstrated good results in both low (30C) and high (200C and 1M) potencies. It can be frequently repeated 3-4 times in a day in 30C potency. Higher potencies are not to be repeated very often; it is advisable to wait. After taking 200C potency, it is advisable to wait and should be only repeated twice in a day. For 1M or higher potency, please consult your local experienced homeopath.

6. Belladona – Homeopathic medicine for fever of inflammatory origin

Belladona is one of the first remedies to be thought of in those cases where there is fever with pain in throat, which is is also sore, red and inflamed . During fever, the head becomes hot, but the feet are cold. Internally it feels cold but externally there is very strong burning heat.

When and How to take Belladona?

Belladonna stands for cases of high fever with no thirst, and burning heat in the head but a cold feeling in the feet. Belladonna 30 & Belladona 200 are the most common potencies used for the treatment. 30C requires frequent repetition, and they should be given 2-3 times a day till the expected result is seen. 200C is a high potency, it is advised not to repeat frequently. 1M is a very high potency and should be used cautiously.

7. Arsenic Album – For Fever With Marked Exhaustion

Arsenic album can be thought of in cases of typhoid and malaria fever. Periodicity is marked with body burning pains, weakness, restlessness, exhaustion and aggravation during night. The complaint gets worse by the slightest movement and feels better after applying heat. In the heat stage, there is an inclination to uncover, as there is dry heat with thirst. At the end of the fever stage, there is cold and clammy sweat. Sometimes along with fever, gastric symptoms also exist such as colic, nausea, loose stool with heaviness in stomach.

When and how to take Arsenic Album?

Arsenic is one of the best remedies for fever due to malaria or typhoid. There is great debility, restlessness and chill. It can be administered in 30C potency, which can be repeated 2 times a day. If there is no improvement at all with low potency dose, it is advisable to consult a good homeopath before taking 200C or 1M potency.

Types Of Fever

 Five main types of fever are:

Intermittent fever: The temperature is high but falls to normal (37.2 degree C or below) each day. This type of fever is seen in malaria.

Remittent fever: In this type of fever, body temperature fluctuates, though it falls, it never falls all the way back to normal. This type of fever is associated with infectious diseases such as infective endocarditis, rickettsiae infections, brucellosis, among others.

Continuous fever: It is also called sustained fever. The fever is prolonged with little or no change in temperature over the course of the day. Temperature remains above normal throughout the course of 24 hours and does not fluctuate more than 1 degree Celsius in 24 hours. This type of fever occurs in lobar pneumonia, typhoid (step –ladder pattern, a stepwise increase in temperature with a high plateau) and urinary tract infection.

Hectic Fever: In this fever type, there are wide swings in temperature. Intermittent or remittent fever is considered hectic with a temperature difference of at least 1.4 degree Celsius between the highest and the lowest temperature. This fever pattern is indicative of an abscess or pyogenic infection such as pyelonephritis.

Relapsing Fever: This is a type of intermittent fever that comes up again after days or weeks of normal temperatures. With animal bites and disease like malaria, this fever is common.

There is no specific medicine in homeopathy to bring down the temperature, but natural remedies target the infection instead. This is because the temperature is the only index through which the progress of the infection inside the body is reflected. The rise in body temperature is directly proportional to the extent of infection. An increase in temperature indicates a further spread of infection while a decrease in temperature shows that the infection is fading away. If the body temperature is abruptly brought down without halting the infection process, there is no way to find out what is going on inside the body and to what degree the infection is still present in the body. So, the end result is that the fever no doubt is gone, but its root cause — the infection, is still there. Natural medicines act by putting a check on the infection, preventing its further progress and the temperature thus is automatically brought down gradually as the infection declines. The remedies also make sure that no weakness or other residual effects of fever remain in the body. Homeopathy has a huge number of natural medicines to deal with fever cases.

Causes Of Fever

 Fever or a higher-than-normal body temperature could result from:

1. Infections: Viral or bacterial infections is the most common cause of fever. This includes colds, flu, gastroenteritis or infection in the ears, skin, throat or bladder.

2. Environmental factors: Heat strokes due to high ambient temperature or prolonged strenuous exercise and extreme sunburn can all raise the body temperature.

3. Inflammatory diseases: Rheumatoid arthritis, which causes the lining of your joints to become inflamed, is one example of an inflammatory condition (synovium); lupus and inflammatory bowel diseases can cause fever.

4. Hormonal disorders: This includes hyperthyroidism which can increase the body temperature.

5. Drugs: The side effects of some medicines, including those used to treat high blood pressure, seizures, and antibiotics can cause fever.

6. Cancer: A malignant (cancerous) growth can cause fever.

7. Several vaccinations

8. Alcohol withdrawal

9. Teething in babies

Symptoms Of Fever

Temperature higher than 100.4 F (38 C) in adults and children

When someone has fever, depending on what causes fever, they may also have the following symptoms:

A. Shivering and feeling cold when nobody else is feeling cold

1. Headache: Pain in the head often accompanies a fever.

2. Muscle aches: Having sharp or constant aches can be due to fever.

3. Rash: Red bumps may be noticed on the skin along with fever

4. Restlessness: One may feel restless while having fever.

5. Weakness or fatigue: One may feel decrease in muscle strength during fever.

6. Sweating

7. Low appetite: A variety of infections can cause fever along with lack of appetite.

8. Signs of dehydration

9. Increased sensitivity to pain

10. Lack of  energy and feeling sleepy

11. Difficulty in concentrating

B. If a baby has a fever, these symptoms are prominent:

1. Feel hot to the touch

2. Have flushed cheeks

3. Sweaty

Some children show frightening side effect of fever called febrile seizures. They most likely occur with a fever of at least 100.4 degree Farenheit (38 degree Celsius). In some cases, children may have seizure before developing a fever. These seizures happen in 2-4 % of children under age 5. These seizures are short lived and harmless, but in 2.5 % and 5 % of children, who have complex febrile seizure, develop epilepsy.

With high fever, there may also be irritability, confusion, delirium, and seizures.

Pathophysiology Of Fever

Specific body temperature is a balance of heat production and heat loss. Hypothalamus (a gland in the brain) also called as the body thermostat monitors this balance. Even in a healthy condition the body temperature varies, it can be lower in the morning and higher in the late afternoon and evening.

Fever is a response of our immune system to foreign invaders. These foreign invaders include viruses, bacteria, fungi, drugs or toxins. These foreign invaders are considered pyrogens (fever producing substances) which trigger the immune response of the body. Pyrogens signals the hypothalamus that sets the body temperature higher in order to help the body fight against the infection. This prompt complex process results in more heat production and restricts heat loss. The body produces heat when one shivers in fever.  Wrapping blanket around body in chilled state of fever is a way to retain body heat.

 

Role Of Homeopathic medicines in treating Zika Virus

Zika virus is transmitted to people through bite of an infected mosquito belonging to Aedes species. These mosquitoes are day biters and are the same ones involved in spreading the dengue and chikungunya fever. However the illness caused by Zika virus is much milder than that in dengue fever. The illness from Zika virus can last from few days to a week. Zika virus can also be transmitted from one person to another through sexual contact and also from infected mother to fetus. Severe complications and death are uncommon.

Symptoms of Zika virus Infection

Eighty percent of the infected with Zika virus do not develop any symptoms. Those having symptoms complain of fever, skin rash of maculopapular nature, joint pains, headache and conjunctivitis. In December 2015 an association was found between serious birth defect called as microcephaly (small heads) in babies born in a mother having Zika infection during pregnancy due to transplacental crossing of virus. Microcephaly leads to developmental issues in children. Ongoing Researches are also trying to find out if any relation exists  between this virus and Guillain –Barre syndrome where life threatening paralysis appears.

 Homeopathic Medicines for Zika Virus

Homeopathic medicines Eupatorium Perfoliatum, Belladonna, Rhus Tox can be safely used in Zika virus infection treatment. These medicines come the closest in treating the symptoms of Zika virus infection. In an epidemics when a huge number of person are attacked by acute and similar sufferings from similar cause, Homeopathy can be of great prophylactic help. Homeopathy has been highly successful in treating epidemic diseases. Among them are cholera, dengue fever, yellow fever typhus, and conjunctivitis. Records show that during epidemics , homeopathic medicines are of great help in reducing the  mortality when compared to those put under conventional system of medicines. One very popular example is of homeopathic medicine Belladonna as prophylactic for treating scarlatina epidemics.  In year 1801 when scarlatina prevailed epidemically among children, those who were given homeopathic medicine Belladonna as a prophylactic remained unaffected with this highly  infectious disease. So homeopathy has a huge role to play as prophylactic when a disease spreads abruptly over a large area . So in such cases , a single medicine that is most closely allied to the symptoms picture of the disease can be used as a prophylactic. Thus , Homeopathic medicine Eupatorium Perfoliatum can be used as  prophylactic in Zika virus infection as this medicine has the closest match to the  symptom set presented in Zika virus infection.