Fever is the elevation of body temperature above normal, and it varies from person to person, although “normal” generally falls within the range of 97 degrees to 99 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, giving supplements such as echinacea, vitamin C and zinc seem to have potential in controlling fever. Giving vitamin and mineral supplements during a fever may or may not reduce the duration or symptoms. Fever accompanies a wide range of diseases, from the common cold to other, more serious bacterial or viral infections. According to the Mayo Clinic, a fever acts as a warning that something is wrong within the body. Symptoms associated with fever include flushed face, headache, nausea, body aches, little or no appetite and occasionally diarrhea or vomiting. The increased energy expenditure that occurs during a fever increases metabolism, which can increase the need for certain vitamins and minerals. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, research is ongoing to investigate the effectiveness of natural supplements to treat the common cold, fever and flu symptoms.
Because vitamin A, the B complex and vitamin C are involved in the process of metabolism, deficiencies of these nutrients often arise. Vitamin C, found in a majority of fever, cold and flu supplements, has mixed reviews. Studies proving vitamin C is effective in “treating” a fever are as varied as the number of brands of vitamin C on the market. According to MedlinePlus, vitamin C does not seem to affect a fever. However, vitamin C is thought to minimize the length of time a person has the symptoms. Increasing vitamin B complex can be beneficial because these vitamins stimulate the appetite, which is often lacking during a fever. A vitamin A deficiency makes you more susceptible to infection, so replenishing this vitamin during illness will help your immune system fight future attacks. Taking a calcium supplement may be beneficial because of decreased absorption of this mineral during a fever. Iron should not be taken during a fever because the body’s defense mechanisms have pulled all the iron reserves, and adding more can stress the body.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, study results on zinc are inconclusive as to the effectiveness of this mineral in reducing a fever and minimizing cold symptoms. However, because zinc is not absorbed during a fever, its effect would have to occur before or after the illness. Natural Home Fever Reducer Remedies Home Remedies to Reduce an Infant's Fever Vitamin C for Fever How to Treat the Fever for an 8-Month-Old Baby When to Give a Fever Reducer to a Baby? The Best Foods to Eat if You Have a Fever How to Lower a High Fever in a 6-Month-Old Baby Why Might You Feel Nauseous After Taking Vitamins? Can I Take Tylenol & Vitamins When I'm Sick? Can I Take Vitamins If I Am Taking Antibiotics? Why Do Vitamins Make You Sick? Can I Take Protein Shakes When I'm Sick? How to Control Fever and Shivering in Children Causes of White Blood Cells in Urine How Many Calories Does a Fever Burn?
How to Build Up Your Immune System to Fight The Flu Normal Fever Temperature in Babies While Teething When to Take Your Baby to the Hospital for a High Fever Remedies for a High Temperature Fever of 103Fevers consist of an abnormality with your body heat, which causes your temperature to rise 1 degree or more above the average body temperature of 98.6 degrees. There are a variety of reasons why your body temperature rises, but fever is typically caused by fighting off an infection, especially in relation to the cold, flu or other illnesses like pneumonia or gastroenteritis. When fever is in relation to sickness, one remedy often discussed is vitamin C. Vitamin C, also commonly listed as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin necessary for creating collage in most structures of your body, including bones, blood vessels, ligaments, tendons and muscle. Vitamin C is also necessary for absorbing adequate amounts of iron. The vitamin is also required for the synthesis of certain neurotransmitters, especially norepinephrine, which is essential for proper brain function.
Vitamin C is essential for the health of your immune system. Vitamin C has been shown to stimulate both the function and production of white blood cells, or leukocytes, for your immune system, according to Oregon State University's Linus Pauling Institute. White blood cells are specialized defense cells that aid the body in fighting off harmful diseases and other foreign invaders. While vitamin C is integral for the function of your immune system, it is often touted as a way to help treat the common cold or respiratory infection, of which a fever is counted as a symptom. The Mayo Clinic says there is not enough current research, as of 2011, to support the use of vitamin C in treating these afflictions or the resulting symptoms, like a fever. But there is promise in vitamin C shortening the length of time you experience symptoms. Meeting the recommended upper limit of vitamin C is 2,000 mg per day can help your immune system stay healthy and increase your chances of fighting off a fever-causing illness.
While there is no harm in taking a little extra vitamin C through supplements or natural foods like oranges or carrots, too much can cause unwanted side effects. Additional vitamin C is often exported out of the body through urine, but mega doses, such as 10 g or more, can result in diarrhea, vomiting, heartburn, cramps, headache, kidney stones and insomnia. How to Get Rid of Children's Fevers Why to Drink Water if You Have Fever What to Feed a Toddler With a Fever Nine-Month-Old Baby With a Fever The 20 Best Ways to Use Eggs Is Orange Juice Good for a Sore Throat? Is Gatorade Good for You When You're Sick? Are Steam Rooms Good for Skin? Home Remedies for Fever in a ToddlerFever blisters, also called cold sores, are caused by the herpes simplex virus, type 1. The blisters can occur on your lips, cheeks, chin, gums or nostrils. You might experience a tingling sensation one to two days before the initial fever blister outbreak of fluid-filled blisters around your mouth.
These blisters generally last between 10 and 14 days, although they can last longer. The exact cause varies, but illness, sunburn, wind, stress, hormonal changes or a weakened immune system can trigger an outbreak. A variety of vitamins can prevent or fight the herpes simplex virus and banish fever blisters. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that improves immune system function and protects your body from damaging free radicals that can cause fever blisters, according to Alice Feinstein, author of the book "Prevention's Healing with Vitamins." Feinstein reports that vitamin A also reduces the frequency and severity of fever blisters, accelerates the healing process, eases blister pain, repairs damaged tissues, aids in red blood cell formation and increases the amount of collagen in your body. The recommended daily dosage for vitamin A is 900 mcg for men and 700 mcg for women. Foods rich in vitamin A include beef, cod liver oil, eggs, liver, milk, carrots, kale and spinach. Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant that strengthens your immune system and lowers your risk of developing the herpes simplex virus, the virus commonly associated with fever blisters, according to Phyllis Balch, author of the book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing."
Balch explains that vitamin C also aids in collagen production, hydrates your skin, decreases inflammation, accelerates the healing process and helps repair damaged tissues. The recommended daily dosage for vitamin C is 1,000 mg for adults. Foods rich in vitamin C include strawberries, cranberries, grapefruits, broccoli, spinach, kale, Swiss chard, oranges and tomatoes. Zinc is an essential mineral that boosts immune system function and protects you against the herpes simplex virus, notes Steve Blake, author of the book "Vitamins and Minerals Demystified." Blake reports that zinc also helps heal skin sores, relieves blister pain and swelling, prevents the virus from multiplying and stops the blisters from recurring in the future. The recommended daily dosage for zinc is 11 mg for men and 8 mg for women. Foods rich in zinc include oysters, beef shanks, fortified cereals, low-fat fruit yogurt, baked beans, chickpeas and Swiss cheese. Calcium is an important mineral that reduces oxidative stress in the body, lowers your risk of developing fever blisters and cold sores, eliminates fever blister pain, speeds up the healing process, minimizes herpes outbreaks and strengthens your immune system, according to Michael Zimmermann, author of the book "Burgerstein's Handbook of Nutrition: Micronutrients in the Prevention and Therapy of Disease."
The recommended daily dosage for calcium is 1,000 mg for adults. Foods rich in calcium include plain yogurt, sardines, milk, mozzarella, salmon, tofu, ice cream, pudding, fortified soy milk, tortillas, sour cream, ready-to-eat cereals and spinach. Fever Blisters & Orange Juice Vitamins for Cold Sore Prevention The Best Foods to Eat When You Have a Fever Blister Foods to Avoid With Fever Blisters Fever Blisters in an 11-Month-Old Infant Can Food Cause Blisters on the Roof of Your Mouth? How to Stop a Cold Sore From Coming How to Get Rid of a Fever Blister on a Lip Foods That Can Cause Fever Blister Outbreaks Small Red Bumps Around Mouth Bumps in the Corners of the Lips How to Treat Cold Sores With Ice The Fastest Way to Heal a Fever Blister What Causes Fever and Throwing Up in Children? Salt and Cold Sores Foods That Trigger Cold Sores Can Eating Certain Foods Help Heal & Prevent a Herpes Outbreak? Zinc & Cold Sores