Table of contents:
- What happens when the body has a fever
- Safe rules for bathing when sick with fever
- Tips for caring for yourself during a fever
Many people doubt whether to take a shower when they have a fever for fear of aggravating their condition. So, is it okay to take a shower when you're sick? Find out the full answer in this article.
What happens when the body has a fever
Fever is not actually a disease, but a common symptom of various underlying diseases. Fever is characterized by increased body temperature, body chills, headaches, weakness, and muscle or joint pain.
Fever is the result of an inflammatory process in the body, when the immune system is fighting an infection. This inflammatory process then releases a special chemical compound to be carried to the hypothalamus through the bloodstream. The hypothalamus is a structure in the brain that functions to regulate body temperature.
In the hypothalamus, these chemical compounds will make the body temperature higher (heat). Because of this compound, the body mistakenly thinks that the normal body temperature is actually hot. Well, this is what causes you to have a fever.
In infants and children, fever usually occurs when the body temperature is over 37 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, in adults, fever usually appears when the body temperature reaches 38 to 39 degrees Celsius.
Safe rules for bathing when sick with fever
People with fever are allowed to take a bath. The reason is, bathing is not related to the fever process itself. Even if possible, you are still advised to take a bath twice a day to keep your body clean. Not only that, basically taking a shower when you are sick is still recommended because it can prevent you from getting other infections.
What needs to be considered is the water temperature. Maybe you think that cold water can give a feeling of comfort to a body that is "hot". However, doctors and health professionals around the world do not recommend that you take a cold shower when you are sick or if your item is not fit. This can actually worsen your condition.
A hot body due to fever is a natural instinct that is needed by the body to defend itself. If you take a cold shower, your body will perceive it as a threat to its infection-fighting process. As a result, the body will increase its temperature even more and the fever will get worse. The reason is, cold water works to close the pores so that it inhibits the transfer of body temperature.
In addition, taking a cold shower also risks a sudden drop in body temperature. This will trigger the body to shiver. Therefore, you should avoid taking cold showers when you are sick.
Therefore, in hot body conditions you are advised to use warm water (lukewarm) to equalize body temperature.
Tips for caring for yourself during a fever
If after showering you still feel uncomfortable or feel your body temperature has increased, you can take a pain reliever (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin) to relieve the symptoms. Follow your doctor's instructions or read the label for the correct dosage. Not only that, you also have to be careful not to use more than one drug that contains acetaminophen, such as cough and cold medicines.
Tell your doctor right away if your condition doesn't improve for more than 3 days and your body temperature reaches 39 degrees Celsius or more.
