Wow! There has been a lot of kiddos with spring and summer (almost) viruses right?!? Rashes and fevers EVERYWHERE (for grown ups too!).
I thought this would be a great time to talk to you again about fever and the important role it has in our immune function. I want you to embrace the fever! It’s not unusual for children especially, to have fever. Although it may be uncomfortable, its not dangerous until over 105 (some say even 108).
You see, fever is our body’s way of making itself inhospitable to bacteria and viruses that invade it. So when you have a fever (or your little one does) give a little gratitude that you have a functioning immune system!
**Please note it’s never normal for a child under 3 months to have a fever…have them checked out.**
In addition to making the body inhospitable temperature wise to the invading bug, fever also activates the immune cells responsible for attacking the invading bug and clearing it from the body. (You can read about it in the full study from the Yale Medical Journal on Pub Med here if you are a #science freak like me.) It’s even stated that fever INCREASES your survival rate of many illnesses.
So why are we giving acetaminophen and ibuprofen for fever reduction?
Because a drug company told us to (or told our pediatrician/doctor to). But it’s not healing, it’s not helping, its prolonging the illness AND exposing our littles (and ourselves) to so many toxic additives in those over-the-counter and prescription concoctions. I would go as far to say its HARMING to give these medications.
Here’s why:
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is liver toxic, and not in a holistic practitioner “oh that Burger King meal is toxic” I mean its the #2 cause of liver failure in the U.S. (more common than viral hepatitis that people are so eager to vaccinate for). To make a long story, short…acetaminophen reduces in large amounts Glutathione, an antioxidant made in the body that is responsible for scavenging free radicals. When you burn up Glutathione with Tylenol, you leave dramatically increased free-radical damage to cells and DNA all over the body.
So I can use ibuprofen then right?
Nope. See above. Fevers are good and there are many other safer methods for pain relief. Not to mention there are toxic ingredients added such as propylene glycol (hello antifreeze for your little?), butylparaben (endocrine disruptor), the list goes on and on. Not to mention that there are many studies about the dangers of the combination of vaccines and pain/fever reduction medications. It’s best to stay away.
So what do I do when my kiddo or I have a fever?
Comfort. The number one thing you can do is comfort. Don’t reduce the fever (even with natural methods like essential oils). Offer bone broth or breast milk (if the child still nurses), plenty of fluids. A fever reduced will be a fever longer and return between dosing than just riding the fever out for the body to do its job.
Here is my updated complete Fever’s Checklist: http://eepurl.com/cbROWf
Questions? I’m here!