Tags
dengue fever, high fever with dengue, marking the solstice, to lower fever or let it run its course, where is the sun's shadow on the june solstice
Sarah y Eloy help with the sunflower painting for their wash room. June 2013
My friend Sarah dropped off a care package last month when I was recovering from dengue. In that thoughtful assortment of goodies was a blister pack of pain relievers. “I’ll bet you’ve taken a lot of these,” she smiled.
Sarah is a nurse, and I squirmed a bit when I answered, “Actually, I haven’t taken anything for the pain.” I added, “If I take medicine for the pain, it will lower my fever, and I feel as if that fever is there to burn out the virus. If I lower the fever, the virus lingers in my body for a longer period of time…”
I also stated that I felt it my duty to keep my infectious disease ‘quarantined’ during the fever stage so that I did not infect other people or other areas. I knew that the clinic was a short distance away in case of an emergency. (After the fever passed and I was stronger, I visited the clinic.)
FIND THE RIGHT MOSQUITO
I would never advise others to avoid pain killers or fever medications, but fifteen years ago I took fever reducers and was sick for two weeks. This time the high fever lasted less than two days, though the evolution of this dengue was totally different from the last. (There was also an added complication of the tag-along chikungunya virus that was hiding in the background.)
I suspect there are as many people who believe in the power of a fever, as there are people who think it’s best to lower a high fever as soon as possible. Several reputable sites have published articles about the ‘benefits of fever:
Catch the Fever – It will help you fight off infection (EurekAlert/Global Source for Science News)
“New research published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology demonstrates that elevated body temperature plays a vital role on the generation of effective T-cell mediated immune response… “Having a fever might be uncomfortable,” said John Wherry, Ph.D., Deputy Editor of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology, “but this research report and several others are showing that having a fever is part of an effective immune response. We had previously thought that the microbes that infect us simply can’t replicate as well when we have fevers, but this new work also suggests that the immune system might be temporarily enhanced functionally when our temperatures rise with fever. Although very high body temperatures are dangerous and should be controlled, this study shows that we may need to reconsider how and when we treat most mild fevers.” “FEDERATION OF AMERICAN SOCIETIES FOR EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY”
The Benefits of Fever (New York Times)
(From NYTimes: “In 1980, Dr. Barton D. Schmitt, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, published a now classic article about what he termed “fever phobia.” Many parents, he wrote, believed that untreated fevers might rise to critical levels and that even moderate and low-grade fevers could have serious neurological effects (that is, as parents we tend to suspect that our children’s brains may melt).”)
Benefits of Fever (Mercola)
“Remember, the point of the fever is to stimulate the immune system and create an inhospitable environment for invading organisms, essentially turning up the heat high enough that the invading microbes cannot live. So anytime you lower a fever artificially you’re making your body more hospitable to the invading pathogens”
Host Response to the Dengue Virus
All you’d want to know about Dengue- From NATURE:
“Introduction- Dengue viral infections can result in a range of symptoms. Some people show no symptoms or just have mild signs of the disease, but others develop severe complications. How does the body respond to a dengue infection? What factors put some people at greater risk of developing severe dengue illnesses than other people?”
I’m curious to see how others feel about treating fevers; as long as there are no complications, do you let the fever run its course or do you think it should be lowered?
(I am feeling much stronger, and the ankle pain is getting better! I even brushed paint on several boards yesterday, and my hands did not protest! If there’s sunshine over your head at high noon, mark the shadow! Happy June Solstice, everyone!) Z
Zeebra Designs & Destinations 
Happy Solstice to you, too, Lisa! I’m so glad you’re on the mend!
si.. i was able to photograph the noon shadow… but at sunset the sun was behind the clouds. made for a serene end of day, however..
ps. i don’t think my last comment reached you.. sometimes the pages won’t load and i finally give up… wil be back soon… z
Very interesting, I seem to remember through the years that doctors always treated the fever, no matter what the degrees were. IMHO, if it’s a high fever, you want to lower it, especially in children because they run the risk of seizures. As far as myself, generally I take antibiotics for infections to keep them under control, but have never taken anything special for a fever. Keep getting well amiga, we think about you daily, hugs
si.. i’ve had several sinus infections and wow, those antibiotics did their job pronto.. and i was very grateful!
hope john continues to mend and you’re soon on your way to see your loved ones…
Happy solstice Z! I never thought about not reducing a fever, but what you say makes sense. Similarly, when I have an intestinal issue, putting it politely, rather than taking something to alleviate the situation, I let it “run” its course because my feeling is that my body needs to get rid of whatever it is that is bothering my system. Also, when craving a particular food, I have to go out and get it. I believe that there is something in that food that my body is telling me I need. Be well my friend. I have been watching the skies for that magic carpet!
i’m with you on thelower GI distress, and if another day doesn’t allow it to heal, then i make a tea from the guava leaves (fresh) that works with such amazing results that i remain amazed… i belive in meds, even for the lower GI when needed, but when someone is in the ‘outback’ and it’s something that’s not getting better… wow, it’s a nice rx to have nearby!
Lucky you to have the guava leaves!
I rarely have a fever, but when I do, fluids and rest are fine up to about 100.. After that, it’s time to get it down.
With children and youth, letting a fever run is dangerous. When I was very young, I had pneumonia, and a fever of 105. They used some extraordinary if old fashioned methods in the hospital to lower it (think ice bath) but as the doctors said, if they hadn’t dealt with it when they did, I might very well not be here now, or be living a seriously damaged life. I’ve seen fever-stricken children in seizure, and it’s not a pretty sight.
There’s no doubt that, as a society, we over-medicate. On the other hand, as someone who remembers polio and scarlet fever, and who’s seen life in a world without measles vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis, I’m fairly well convinced of the value of modern medicine. 🙂
However you choose to do it — just keep getting well!
oh my, that is/was a veyr high fever for anyone, especially a child.. there’s no wonder you were adored by so many.. you were the little engine that could..they surely worried over youfor a long time…
would you believe that i’ve had scarlet fever? i was a teenager and wasn’t too sic, but had the classic rash, which was then tested and diagnosed…
and yes, my son might have died without the high fever/pain warning that took us to the doctors, who sent him to the best hospital/bone doctor, and where we spent the next month of our lives… he has a staph infection in his hip (bone) and later when i was saying how thankful i was for modern medicine, a doctor friend said, ‘he would have died ten years ago, b/c you can amputate a leg but not a hip…
i agree, dear kind/wise linda, that it’s important to use the ‘big guns’ when needed!
hope all’s well there.. still weird weather here, but most likely typical for what leads to the el nino cycle..
My brother had this. Sending healing thoughts and prayers your way~
i’ll bet he says that he never wants to be that sick again! thanks, i am much better!
Glad to hear that you are getting better, Lisa.
thank you.. i’m much better !
Z, glad you are progressing. Good discussion on the role of fever. I think staying hydrated and resting are essential. I am also a believer that you can sweat out a cold, so doing some exertion can help. But, I do tend to over medicate for my back and limbs when exerting. Take care, BTG
in the states, i always felt best with “allergies” when i closed myself in a sun-baked car in the summertime.. ah, my breathing was much easier almost instantly…
i don’t like to take meds for the pains, because i tend to do too much as it is, and if i am not feeling the pain, i will continue to work and possibly negate my healing or make the injury worse!
hope you’re pain free right now!
Yoga will stretch a few muscles to pain points on occasion. But, it is a good hurt. I can relate to the allergies as Charlotte is a city of trees.
Excellent post, Z. Here are my thoughts on fever control: I’ve had dengue before and now I think I may have Chikungunya. I usually let a fever run its course, but in the case of these mosquito born viruses, the pain can be excruciating. With Dengue, I had a high fever and I took Aleve to alleviate the bone pain. However, it also reduced my fever.
With the possible onset of Chikungunya, my fever is low grade, and the pain is not debilitating, so I am only drinking turmeric tea for joint relief. But, if the pain gets worse, I will probably take a pain killer only to get some relief.
I’m not one for taking a lot of medicine anyway. But, with these tropical viruses, it is very scary to me. I can live with a fever, but I have a hard time dealing with the pain. I have many Nicaraguan friends who know the uses of medicinal plants, and I try to use medicinal teas and other natural homegrown remedies to help with a variety of symptoms.
Glad to hear you are feeling better. 🙂 I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I am only having sympathy pains with my many friends here who have Chickungunya. So far, so good. I hate pain.
check out the comment here, as i think this is a real person, and his offer seems sound.. it’s worth a try.. scroll down the comments and you’ll see it === it’s a long one
…
i painted for three or four hours yesterday – the floor project upstairs, and i did well… today a bit stiff, but hey, i have been inactive for over six weeks.. that’s natural, but yes, the stiffness is in the ankles again, but it’s getting better each day..
i hope you dodge this bullet, but if not, that it’s a fast recovery for you and ron.
z
I read this comment and it sounds like something that we need to try. Today is not a good day for either of us. The symptoms are worsening. Now my right elbow feels like it’s been broken. We don’t have high fevers, so that’s why we thought we dodged the bullet. This is the most bizarre thing I have ever encountered. First my pinky finger, now my elbow and the soles of my feet are starting to have sharp intermittent pains. So weird. Plus, today’s my birthday and we were going to go out and celebrate, but neither of us feel up to it. Oh boo hoo for me. I hate to be a whiner. My neighbors blasted me out of bed at 5 am this morning by placing BIG speakers at my front door and sang happy birthday to me. Facebook is down, and I can’t read any birthday messages. It is so funny, I’m kind of giddy with the bizarreness of my day. It’s one birthday I will never forget. xxxooo
you poor dear/dears! what a classic latin way to be greeted with happy birthday wishes— giant speakers at your door!
since i was fighitng the co-infection, i am not sure what side effects were linked to what, but the skin on my feeet has peeled three times now. i had three different kinds of rashes, and yes, i had about three ‘spells’ where i felt great – even pondered going for a jog one day then thought better of it…. about day 20, according to one site, the next round of pain sets in, and i hate to tell you, but it’s much worse than the first round – at least for those of us fighting it here.. your bug might be different…
ankles, hands (we dread having to shake hands) shoulders are the three areas that hurt most.. for the ankles, it’s when they are flexed – if i am still, nothing hurts.
it still hurts to grip a pen/pencil.. mornings are always worse than afternoons… after walkking 5 or so minutes, the stiffness is all but gone.
i am relieved that most of my pain is gone except for the first half hour of waking/walking….
there is light at the end of the tunnel!
Hi Lisa, just read your post, all my sympathy, quick and thorough recovery. Take care:-)
Moshe
thank you so much.. yes, i am feeling much better..
Happy Solstice Lisa. Good to hear you’re getting better.
Alison
thank you so much.. you’ve definitely witnessed many outbreaks during your travels… and yes, it feels great to be getting well!
Yay, to getting stronger!!!! Happy Summer Solstice to you too, Z!!!! 🙂 xxxxx
si.. i photographed the noon shadow and byb sunset, the sun was hiding behind the clouds… i took a great candle-light photo last night, as the electricity went off again (and is still not on..) happy new solstice year!
I haven’t had a fever in many, many years, so I hadn’t thought about it at all. I suppose a fever of 102 or so would be okay with me. I would at least look up the danger zone for adults and take medicine as I approached that temperature I suppose.
I am a frequent visitor to a “Dengue Zone” and I surely hope I never contract the disease!
Glad you’re feeling better and can paint!
oh yes, you should keep an eye o the news to be sure the dengue or chiikungunya or even the new zita (sp?) it starts with a z.. is not in your area…
since i’ve had dengue more than once, i was a little more relaxed as i knew wht to expect and knew that the meds would not be very helpful.. so i decided to let it run its course this time.
glad you’re dodging dengue! hope you continue with a perfect score!
Dengue – what an awful virus to get. My sympathies with you. Be cautious with a fever; like heat-stroke, too high a temperature can kill you. Need to stay hydrated! So pleased you are feeling better now, continue to improve…
i definitely appreciate and respect your feedback.. and yes, that fever is there to tell there’s something wrong.. with dengue, we know what that is and there’s no magic pill to make it go away.. but like my son with the infection in his bone/hip, that was a critical fever/pain that got hiim to the doctors that saved his life…
yes, i am better, and so happy to be moving without the old-person gait of someone 30 or 40 years older than i!
I’m glad you’re feeling better, Lisa, though it’s such a slow process. I think it’s wise to let your body heal itself as much as possible; I feel the same about painkillers and fever reducers. Thanks for educating us about the benefits of letting a fever run its course. Get well soon!! 🙂
i think a timeout social hour at your balcony would do well…. heading there on the magic carpet. reserve a seat for me!
I have never researched it but I always suspected as much. It’s just really miserable to suffer through, especially when it is so hot and humid. They also used to say “Feed a cold, starve a fever” but was never sure why. Glad you are on the mend – we have missed you the last few days – we have grown accustomed to your face (do you know what movie that is from?) Best wishes, Pat
yes, it’s not fun when the fever is high, though i slept through most of my fever.. stopping only to drink and take the temp and go back to sleep…
thanks for your kind words..
ha.. i found it!
thanks amiga!
God to hear you are getting better. I see some points in letting a fever burn out the virus; but I also know that when little children are running a high fever for a period of time, it can affect their brain.
yes, i aqgree – a child’s health can change very rapidly from ok to critical..
thank you so much for your feedback and input on this subject…
lisa
It’s good that you trust your intuition – hope you are getting better day by day!
amiga, it’s always great to hear from you and think of you, your beautiful photos and soul… thank you!
It’s so good to hear from you too, my friend! I will try now to come back to blogging more. You must get well!
i am better! yippee! thank you!
😀💖
Doesn’t sound like much fun, glad to hear you are getting stronger. I always use a holistic approach, but thankfully haven’t had to try it with such an illness. Hopefully you at least experienced some visions use can explore in your art 🙂
thanks, james.. i am feeling much better… no visions this round, but the first round with dengue produced a few hallucinations while under the fever’s effects… i was able to paint for a few hours yesterday, and i’m a bit stiff today b/c of that, but maybe it’s b/c i was inactive for six weeks! glad to be moving forward again…
So glad you are putting out of this and you also provide lessons for us as well. Many thanks, and keep recovering your strength.
thank you.. i am feeling much better.. whew!
I am a bit like you and avoid medicine. I was sick last fall for two months with fever on and off. The doctor never diagnosed what I was ailing from even after tests, but gave me antibiotics. I did not take them until the second month and they did nothing, or should I say, maybe made the illness last longer since my immunity was lowered. I got sick twice from the same thing. Others got the mystery respiratory illness too and it lasted for over a month. Medicine works but it also makes sense to tough it out when one can.
ooh; a bad respiratory illness knocked me down for a month in 2012.. you have my sympathy.. it’s not fun when one wants to be well, and nothing helps, and the dcotors can find nothing wrong aside from ‘ bronchitis….’
i hope that the long days and warm weather is good to you!
Interesting perspective on the hidden glory of a fever. I shall file that away for future reference. Having rarely dealt with fevers, I never gave the issue much thought. But what you say makes sense. I also rarely take pain meds because I believe that pain is the body’s way of slowing me down so that it can heal whatever needs to be healed. I had a physician once tell me to “let pain be my guide,” in dealing with a compression fracture in my spine. Then she gave me muscle relaxers that made me fly like a kite! I skied Jackson Hole 5 days after the injury. Probably not the best medical advice ever given. 😉