Fever and chills can make you feel uncomfortable, tired, and weak. They often occur when your body is responding to an infection, including common respiratory illnesses such as flu or other viral infections. In many mild cases, you can manage symptoms at home while your body recovers. However, it is important to know which steps are safe and when medical attention may be necessary.
Rest and Stay Hydrated
One of the simplest ways to support your body during an illness is to get plenty of rest. Avoid strenuous activity and give yourself time to recover. Drinking water, clear broths, and other suitable fluids can help maintain hydration, particularly if you are sweating or have a reduced appetite.
If chills occur, use comfortable clothing or a light blanket rather than wrapping yourself in excessive layers. Staying comfortably warm can help you manage chills without causing overheating.
Monitor Your Fever and Symptoms
Use a reliable thermometer to monitor your temperature and keep track of other symptoms. Fever can occur alongside headaches, body aches, fatigue, cough, congestion, or a sore throat.
If your symptoms are related to a respiratory illness, staying home and limiting close contact with others can help reduce the risk of spreading infection. The CDC recommends returning to normal activities when symptoms are improving overall and you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication.
Consider Over-the-Counter Fever Relief
Some over-the-counter medicines can temporarily reduce fever and relieve associated aches. Acetaminophen, for example, is commonly used to reduce fever and relieve pain when taken according to the product label.
Always check the active ingredients in every medicine you take. Many cold, flu, and nighttime products may contain acetaminophen, so combining multiple products can unintentionally result in taking too much. The FDA advises following the label directions and avoiding more than one acetaminophen-containing product at the same time unless advised by a healthcare professional.
Axiv offers nighttime products formulated for symptom relief, but consumers should always read the Drug Facts label and use any medication only as directed.
When Should You Seek Medical Care?
Home care may be appropriate for mild symptoms, but some warning signs require professional medical attention. Seek urgent medical care for difficulty breathing, chest pain or pressure, confusion, seizures, severe weakness, or inability to urinate.
The CDC also recommends contacting a healthcare provider when a fever lasts longer than four days, symptoms last more than 10 days without improvement, dehydration develops, or symptoms improve and then return or worsen.
Final Thoughts
Fever and chills can often be managed with rest, fluids, symptom monitoring, and appropriately used over-the-counter medicines. Always follow medication labels carefully and speak with a healthcare professional if you are unsure about treatment or your symptoms become severe. For nighttime symptom management, learn more about Axiv NightTime 24 Softgels and review the product information before use.
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