FEVER - Should you Fight It? (Research in 2024)

One of the first things a parent will do when a child runs a fever is to reach for the fever-reducing medication. But, is fever a bad thing? Should you fight it? Or, should you let it do what your body wants it to do?
Fever! Should you treat it, is a subject sure to irritate many a parent and health-care provider. I wish I had included a chapter about it in Lies My Doctor Told Me. Here's what you need to know, with the research listed below.
Research:
2021 journal: academic.oup.com/emph/article...
Fever Questioned: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8...
Value of Fever: evolutionmedicine.files.wordp...
Evidence Against fighting Fever: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
CD8 T cells enhanced by fever: jlb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/d...
Treating fever gave worse outcome: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1...
No improvement in outcome treating fever: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2...
Fever is 600,000,000 years old: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
Lowering fever to prevent febrile seizures: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1...
Lowering fever to prevent febrile seizures: www.acepnow.com/article/emerg...
Rethinking Fever: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
Evolution of Fever: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
Fever in Adults: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
A20 gene & Fever: www.medicalnewstoday.com/arti...
NF, A20 & Fever: www.pnas.org/content/pnas/115...
Even Reptiles use Fever to fight Infection: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
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[@KenDBerryMD]

Fighting a Fever is as silly as putting Ice on a Sprained Ankle! Wait, what?? WATCH- kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKCZc4RsiZdrm80

[@plouviere1171]

KenDBerryMD you should write a sequel lies my dr told me!

[@doug196]

So best not to try to lower a fever if we get Covid 19 I presume?

[@doncherney8649]

Doug yes, your body knows best. You’re fighting against yourself by trying to lowering it. The Dr. is right, most doctors don’t know this information.

[@priscillalara2203]

What should I do with a child who has had four febrile seizure?

[@witransplant595]

I feel vindicated. I always let my kids ride things out and they always bounced back quickly. I was always scolded by doctors and made to feel like an idiot.

[@travelandeating74]

I just don't understand why doctors recommend the opposite!

[@m.b.ortega544]

@@travelandeating74 Most Western doctors are drug pushers, not healers. How many times don't they recommend Advil and Tylenol?

[@KenDBerryMD]

You were doing the proper thing

[@hdb5166]

What weak idiots refuse is you doing so, your children's immune system becomes stronger.

[@mikebarnea4789]

I go back and forth with my wife on this every time anyone in the house gets a fever.

[@gregbacon819]

Anyone ever hear of a self induced fever? Whenever I feel a cold coming on, I soak in a hot tub and take my temp up to 102F-ish, hold it there for 20 min or as long as I can stand it. This generally works to kill off whatever is beginning to give me symptoms. Nips it in the bud! My high school chemistry teacher taught me that in the 1980’s, and it has worked well many times.

[@wisdomtales4739]

It works..I do it every time i get fever.really powerful way

[@jfitzpatrick6108]

As a kid I always heard "sweat IT out" where IT was the infectious agent. Wrap patient in blankets _AND_ keep the patient _hydrated_ with plenty of fluids - water, fruit juices, tea, etc.

[@diannhazelton9808]

That's how I was raised. And every time the fever broke I felt better

[@TheSugarnate]

Same. I was always told this by my dad growing up. And I practice it to the day. Ever been sick and get the chills, feel like you can't get warm enough even though your face is hot to the touch? I think this is the body's way to "trick" you into helping it raise its temperature further by bundling up.

[@phillipoleary2532]

I never heard that, but I always just went to bed, wrapped up and rode it out even though my partner thought I were mad.

[@vu4y3fo846y]

I got sick last week with a stomach bug, and the fever kept me up at night, but I didn't try and stop it. After a few days, it had run it's course and I'm better now.

[@KenDBerryMD]

We will get better when we let the fever do what it was designed to do!

[@maypex18]

@@KenDBerryMD yeah but can't you go int convulsions if it gets to high

[@andytaylor1588]

@@maypex18 He stated in the video, to see a doc if it goes above 104*F/40*C. Convulsions happen above those temps.

[@BijouLover8]

SOME CONVULSIONS HAPPEN BECAUSE YOU SWEATED OUT ALL YOUR MINERALS ANND ELTROLITES. KEEP YOUR BODY HYDRATED WITH WATER AND PEDALITE WITH MINERALS...COCONUT WATER. MAGNESIUM/POTASSIUM HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

[@questfortruth665]

Basic logic would conclude that if viruses have trouble surviving in more tropical zones where the temperature is higher, then the body's natural tendency towards fighting this would be to heat up. I'm not a doctor, but I'm logical.

[@KenDBerryMD]

You're exactly right. But, you know how most doctors are...

[@benjaminbailey1586]

@Questfortruth, are you sure you're not a doctor, or Volcan sounds like something Spock or Bones would say...

[@jeil5676]

I always thought there were more viruses in tropical zones.

[@fku9697]

@@KenDBerryMD you aren't a doctor, you keto shill.

[@jonvalbonne]

@@fku9697 Why would anyone be a keto shill? There's little money in it compared to CICO, cholesterol, plant based and all the other great cons out there!

[@MM-mn4ts]

After a fever my child always made some significant development or growth.

[@Rachel0731]

Mary W were they high fevers? My child just had a random fever (no other symptoms) and we have been at home, so I doubt she was exposed to anything. I was thinking growth spurt or molars but I wasn’t sure if that was plausible.

[@Joao-ur7ey]

It was always intuitively for me, honestly. Not just this, but fast too. If you pay attention, most sick people lost their appetite, but the common procedure is too always push and force food down on them. After all I've learned about fasting, it started to make sense that the body loses appetite when sick because he's healing itself and all the energy is focused on fighting the infection/illness. Last year I got a pretty nasty cold and for the first time tried to actually listen to my body and don't had eaten nothing at all, letting as well the fever do it's job. I got alway better in just three days.

[@FlashGordon1023]

Yeah! Chapter 1 of Lies My Doctor told me II. :) Whenever I get the sniffles or start feeling sick, I take a hot shower and go to bed. 99% of the time, I wake up fine.

[@belkiscastaneda6178]

I’m a pharmacist and have been telling this to people for years. No one listens

[@billytheweasel]

Thanks Belis. People, even with all the info, still do stupid stuff. Idiocracy is a documentary.

[@kevinchong7991]

Well, we has a name for them.. 🐑🐑🐑🐑

[@jetstreams2986]

@@billytheweasel it's not stupidity that's lack of knowledge & not the Opposite The moment one is is Crying in pain with High Temperature Body ache 🌡️ & tell them ohh don't worry that's Good baby what are you Saying ?

[@Boogan-D]

I soak in a 108F Hot Tub, for about 45 minutes, about every other day. Sometimes, every day. I'm 5'7" and 142 pounds. After a long hot soaking, I cool off in a self designed 65F room with a tornado fan and massage table. The whole process takes about a hour and a half. It makes me feel great. Much better than mindless web browsing. I've been doing it for 20 years. I listen to audiobooks in the process. My self induced "fevers" has made me have an outstanding immune system (IMHO). I haven't had a cold or flu in over ten years.

[@elizabethprov2894]

Tom Doyle brilliant!

[@EkAks]

I wish I could fit into my bathtub. Don’t own a jacuzzi either.

[@billytheweasel]

Dr Rhonda Patrick on "Found My Fitness" channel is all over saunas. She's got the science. Check her!

[@audrey3688]

I have always believed that a fever was a good thing. Glad to hear confirmation of it from you!

[@halfheartedhomestead1909]

Currently on 14 day quarantine for flu-like syndrome. Both my daughter and I were sick. Sent to ER by pediatrician for chest x-ray for suspected pneumonia and covid-19 in my child. She was negative for both flu and strep. She had a fever if 102.2°, but remained happy and playful. (I am a nurse and understand research). I was then lectured and shamed by staff and given the "febrile seizure lecture". Reluctantly I allowed them to give her some Tylenol, because I didn't want a CPS investigation. It was her only dose of a fever reducer. Of course she was refused covid-19 testing, sent home on quarantine. Later that night I too fell ill with moderate fever and respiratory symptoms. 36 hours later, she was symptom free, now I am too. I believe in letting that baby burn.

[@billytheweasel]

My MD was an Engineer and he understands research. Lucky! I tell people why I let fever roll. Never helps.

[@danr9999]

Thanks for putting this video out Dr Berry! Been hearing this more and more from medical folks I trust.

[@patmike3406]

Thank you for providing the research links. Very informative.

[@kikisf415]

I completely agree, and I am glad that you mentioned using your judgement I.e lethargy to contact healthcare provider! Thank you as always I enjoy watching your videos and plan to practice the way you educate!

[@bruce350]

I've always sweated out an illness (to the point of the sheets being dripping wet!). Great to know there's good research to back up what everyone has told me is crazy!

[@rhoz5191]

Great info. Dr. Berry...your video with Matt and Megha was the best. I learned so much. By the way, I’m glad you haven’t changed your thumbnail. It’s just fine and easily recognized.

[@toskamarie2061]

I couldn't love you anymore. You, Jason Fung, and Fledge Fitness changed my life. Fevers are sooo scary, thank you for clarifying.

[@CarbageMan]

I had to have my stomach pumped as a child, for acidosis, because my pediatrician told my parents to give me adult asperin (repeatedly) to bring down a fever. They changed pediatricians.

[@Sammilicious70]

I love that you posted research!!! Yay!!! We are all sick at my house...all this fever is creating a whole lot of sweat...it smells like a gym...but some are getting to the other side of it, as we all will!

[@gracewalk4155]

Great info. TY Dr Berry. Stay blessed 🙏 Watching from Portugal 🇵🇹

[@Joshua-tq3km]

It's makes more sense to treat the cause of the fever instead of taking away your body's natural defense

[@beverlyescalera4933]

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!! I have been saying this for years to my family, friends and yes to some MD's and have gotten nothing but a hard time from all of them. It's so nice to finally be vindicated. Please continue your fine work educating people interested in the truth. Be well my friend 🤗💖

[@rinunculartoo3006]

I always wondered why the Dr. gave my family Aspirin or Paracetamol to fight fevers when it was the fever that was fighting the infection.

[@Kiki-yo4hi]

Don't Assume, KNOW. Good Video and Explanation.Thank You.

[@JK-nk8cp]

Thanks. Dr. Berry! You have taught me SO much! 💗

[@tom_olofsson]

Great job of getting the word out.

[@rdbare4216]

I concluded this long ago! Many thanks for this video.

[@marynguyen6417]

I never forgot what my professor in microbiology taught us almost 30 years ago that fever is the way the body fights against infections, and he said we shouldn't use medication to lower fever! Back then he already emphasized the importance of gut health to our wellbeing , and he suggested to eat fermented food everyday...

[@GiveItToGod7777]

Thank you so much. I had been wondering about this.

[@BlaBla-rx7yl]

Always appreciate your well done 👍 videos !!! They make sense !! I usually don’t agree with doctors 🥼 because it doesnt make sense to try to lower fevers with medicine !!! U are a good doctor 👨‍⚕️ natives do other things to lower fevers and that was what I always agreed with. So thank you I am subscribed and I enjoy all your educational videos , thanks 😊

[@teresacelmins3681]

Thank you for talking about that.

[@scoooterbob2321]

A voice of reason and logic... you could get demonetized for that. This is good advice.

[@buddhimangalee70]

Very true ! I am fortunate that My kids Pediatrician gave me that advice ! Thank you Doctor !!

[@jukeman57]

Thanks doc. Read your first published book then gave it to my GP. Picked up your recently revised book, “Lies My Doctor Told Me”. Plan start reading it this week.

[@KenDBerryMD]

Thank you so much!

[@missdollydaisy]

Thank you Dr Berry, great advice. Greetings from Spain.

[@AnnabellaRedwood]

I've always encouraged a fever. It meant I got over flu's so much easier. I had really bad CFS and I found myself each time I got sick with an infection that I was able to fight it so much better. It's been the best thing I've done to help my body and to build a stronger immune system.

[@my-yt-inputs2580]

Back in the mid to late 80's when my son was young there was information out at that time about not treating a fever unless it was over like 105 or so. It was widely distributed but it was out there. I think my son's mother could have single handedly kept Tylenol afloat. lol Fast forward to current times when my son now has a young daughter I did some searching recently but it seems the previous information is not really out there anymore. It's good to see this info posted especially with the research links.

[@troylynn2686]

I’m sure there’s a limit on the fever but I believe you are 100% right. Also high blood pressure is a symptom and shouldn’t be treated unless it reaches a high position. Should fix whatever the problem is causing the blood pressure. Thanks for all your work Doc.

[@chrisdonnasaffel9663]

I have been doing this for years now.

[@andytaylor1588]

Thank you Dr. Berry. As a diabetes addict and resource waster, I do get frequent fevers and have always taken Acetaminophen to feel more comfortable and to stop the shakes from the fevers. I will give it my best effort to stop doing this.

[@krispeterson1021]

And when that fever breaks... Damn that feels good Wow..! Total relief ..

[@vletuswolfborn2693]

The game changers of netflix, I would like a comprehensive outlook on that, I have been on keto and intermediate fasting for a year and I would like you to explain this to the millions that have only seen the game changers and nothing else. It could be a game changer in their life!

[@worfkeg]

have said and championed this for years!

[@oliviawhitney7022]

Thank you!! This was so helpful!

[@mtnbikehead]

Light to mod exercise is often great for improving the immune system. Helps minor colds go away. If sick, with a fever already, best to skip exercise and flake out on couch, high intensity workouts are great if your immunity if it is not already fighting something, and provided you get good nutrition and rest immediately after your exercise. Let the fever ride unless you /loved ones are getting too weak and dehydrated or can’t get rest. Eat real food.

[@dmiceli3820]

Thank you for doing God's work.

[@thesaintmustwalkalone708]

600 million years is not God's Work.

[@rhondae8222]

Hi, Dr Berry. Thank you, so kindly, for this great information on fever. I often wondered what was the reason for fever. And based on what you said about fever compared to my experience with it, I can plainly see the benefits👍🙂

[@learntocookketo]

Maybe you should work on “Lies my doctor told me 2”!!

[@jucxox]

Please do a follow up video with a response to the FAQ’s within the comment section to clear up any confusion to your claims and elaborate more on warnings for higher temps.

[@loriwest8700]

In the last year and a half I have found myself taking a fever reducer before I go to any doctors appointments. I will let you guess as to the reason why. Thank you for this information.

[@Kas33345]

This was a great vid. We actually did experiments in my Microbiology class while in college to prove this very point. My ND 40 years ago told me not to give my son fever reducing product, to let his body do what it was designed to do. Peak, burn itself out and heal. Thank you for sharing. :)

[@sylvainster30]

Congrats on 1.0M subs ✌🏼😎👍🏼

[@robinrevell5873]

Thank you, Dr. Berry, for educating people. I've been telling people this, along with not taking antuiussives. I am a respiratory therapist and let me say, the cough is good! It's a mechanical response to mucus and foreign objects and your body is working to eject it. Another crazy thing is antiussives in combo with expectorants. This is crazy! One is to stop coughing and one is to thin mucus to help make the cough more productive. Crazy!!!

[@motomuto3313]

When I get a fever, and feeling poorly, I pile on the blankets turn the electric blanket to 11, and try to get some rest. This works most of the times I've done it. I have a quart of cool water on my night table in case of thirst.

[@Flowmada]

If it's over 105 or prolonged, that was the only time I've understood that a fever needed to be controlled. Like ice on a sprained ankle, if the inflammation gets out of control it can cause additional damage to tissues due to the excess amount of cells and nutrients sent to respond. Otherwise, you just need to look at studies about healing time in individuals on anti-inflammatory medications vs people not on medication to see how inflammation in the body helps improve healing. Shoot, you can even see it in athletes that lose muscle/strength gains compared to other athletes that didn't take anti-inflammatory medications to also see how less inflammation can literally make the body weaker. Inflammation is a healing process - it must be tactfully controlled - this is what doctors should specialize in, not medications. Medications rarely treat disease, just symptoms. If a doctor told you that your fever was helping fight your sickness and wasn't dangerous, but reducing it might prolong your illness - Would you still want the acetaminophen? Overall, it's disappointing living in a time when food is made to make people addicts, medications are made to keep people sick, and laws are made to protect only the wealthy. Meanwhile, the truth of it all merely involves not simply believing what your dietician, doctor, lawyer, or news/media tells you and performing some simple Google searches for unbiased knowledge.

[@rosalrosa5346]

Yes you're right I shared it with family and friends.

[@mn-kt6em]

I wish you were my OB and my son’s pediatrician. I have been doing a ketogenic diet for two years and I’m 15 weeks pregnant with my second pregnancy. My doctor is concerned because I haven’t gained weight yet at 15 weeks . I’ve been getting ultrasounds every two weeks(for 2 small sub chorionic hematomas) and baby looks great. I am eating a very nutrient dense diet focused on meat and eggs first. I run 4 miles a day and feel great this pregnancy. Compared this to my first pregnancy, I gained 30 pounds, had extreme morning sickness until 20 weeks but made up for the weight purely in the second half of my pregnancy, wasn’t as active and ate mainly pancakes and granola bars . I was hoping you could do more videos on birth and pregnancy. Perhaps on epidurals and your thoughts .

[@patvaughn9987]

I love your videos! Your explanations are usually great, however more lay people could understand even better if you took a few moments to explain some of the more technical lab/blood and cell components you listed out. (Ex: polymorphonucleocites, interleukin, T-cells, etc.). I have noticed this in a few of your other videos and thought, oops, your audience just got lost. Keep up the great work! Pat Vaughn MEd RRT...,retired RCP educator.

[@dasein9980]

Doctor, thanks for the video. I am wondering if you would be able to do videos on autoimmune related inflammation. I also wonder what you know about reactive hypoglycemia.

[@megaswenson]

He's already covered all of that, in other videos.

[@richardkimble1191]

Thank you Dr. Berry

[@openbutterflies]

I had always been told that a high fever in either an adult or a child could lead to brain damage and you didn't address that. Is that inaccurate, too? I also thought that children could tolerate a higher fever than adults could. Sheesh. It's amazing how much mis-information I've lived with for 73 years! Thanks for this one, Dr. Berry.

[@sister1964]

As a nurse - I had a patient who died because their temp was too high. Although I totally agree with Dr Berry - high temp should be monitored!

[@vin5388]

Was it the temperature or that which caused the temperature? Aside from heat stroke ,which is an external source . Fever is a friend - that's assuming natural selection is smarter than us.

[@sharroon7574]

@@vin5388 there is a limit, you can get siezures ....

[@EkAks]

Maybe because of an electrolyte imbalance. Fevers can easily dehydrate the patient.

[@valeriestevens5250]

I remember reading long ago that a fever spike was needed to initiate interferon production.

[@konstantinusstoyanov9749]

Thumbs up, I wasn't aware of

[@JohnnyRay920]

Hey Doc, have you noticed people doing keto/carnivore having a lower than normal body temp?? Last weekend, I came down with a head cold and was feeling a little feverish with body aches. So I checked my temp and it was 98.0 ! I checked it again the next day and it was 98.4. I'm 53 and I've never seen my temp below 98.6 before. Of course, I don't often check it either.

[@ultimatecouponlady]

Good information! I used to "sweat my colds out" by having it hot in my room and being under lots of blankets and I always felt better in a couple of days. This time I got a cold with a fever, took acetaminophen to reduce my fever. Fever went away but the cold lasted for about a week; went from my head to my chest and I had to take antibiotics for the chest congestion. I should have "sweated it out" like I normally do but got nervous with this Covid-19 that's going around.

[@dimpsthealien333]

Thank you!!!

[@abdulelahkhunji6871]

What an amazing information, how man is ignorant about science even by big doctors. Thanks ❤️👍

[@laurenamaral6964]

Thank you

[@gloriabrown8669]

I always hunker down under blankets and work up a sweat and drink warm water, cold water upset my stomach when I have a fever.

[@sherip1270]

From my experiences in life, I am torn on this subject. Yes, fever is a tremendous healing tool, but fever can also lead to dangerous dehydration, nausea and vomiting. Thought on this Dr. B?

[@Jemmeh]

He did mention it, if it's over 104 or goes on for a long while. Or if you have certain conditions/medicine.

[@katimelton773]

When I was in high school and college learning about viruses and bacteria we were always taught that fever was your body's first defense against infection. Viruses especially are vulnerable heat changes. The best thing to do for a viral fever is to bundle up, and get in bed. Sleep it off. I always questioned the tactic of lowering fevers that didn't reach danger levels. Yes, kids (and adults) feel better when their fever is reduced, but it always seemed to me that they didn't recover as quickly, or needed antibiotics to recover. Now we know that most kids during the antibiotic age have messed up their metabolisms and immune systems by over dosing on antibiotics. But there are still lots of doctors who still prescribe antibiotics like candy and recommend acetamenophin and ibuprophen to reduce fever. Our situation with COVID-19 would be comical if people hadn't died from taking fever reducers.

[@Sunshine.500]

Dr. B. I really appreciate the info in this video. Growing up , I was taught: A high fever can possibly damage your hearing, is this very possible? What is your input please ... Thanks doc, Lyn

[@Jemmeh]

I'd love to hear what you'd recommend for a common cold. Aside from living a healthy lifestyle. A lot of cough syrups and the like are now sugar free but they're still loaded with dyes and fever-reducers. I question if these medicines may be extending the cold even if they temporarily offer some pain relief. There are things like herbal teas (echinacea, elderberry, etc) that claim to help but I'm not sure if they're really helping or if the sickness is just happening to pass.

[@Wayman_Simmang]

Hi Ken. wish you would wear an external mic or your pods. It would give much better sound quality like you use to have when you wore airpods.. :)

[@phaidonnikolaus9841]

This wonderful human being should be canonised. We all thank him for his selfless service and care.

[@MicheleLHarvey]

Dr. Berry could please do a video on pneumonia, home care? My husband has pneumonia (not serious enough to be hospitalized, thank goodness.) He is on a 2nd course of antibiotics and I'd just like to know your top suggestions (besides bed rest,) to help him mend faster. Thanks!

[@blueshinystar]

Thank God Dr ken Berry you are the best!!! Neisha, and baby Beckett so lucky to have you⭐️❤️

[@andyandcallie]

I always agree with Dr. Berry, however... I tend to suffer from very high fevers (104, 105, etc.). When this happens, I cannot function, I hallucinate, etc. and therefore, I must try to reduce the fever before my brain boils like a bag of peas in a microwave! With this type of fever, I cannot even dial the phone to summon 911. So for people like us, fever is extremely dangerous and not a good thing!

[@freebirdlaura]

While working as a home health aide, a patient with pancreatic cancer wood Spike fevers up to 106! Soon as she would shutter from the chills.. a sign fever was rising. I would already have washcloths in the freezer & ice ready. 1 cloth for her forehead, 1 around the back of her neck, 1 in each fold of arms and legs. This would be a 4 to 8 hr fight. Then one phenergan suppository. My patient was an OR RN her caregiver was a RN as well. I had to make a change in my employment from working private-pay to working Medicare. About a month later I dropped in to see how she was doing. They had finally learned why she was getting the high fever's she had. Because she could no longer eat solid food she had IV nutrition. They were keeping the bags in the refrigerator. Seems that's not supposed to be cold!

[@roadiemort3589]

Three years ago I was in a vehicle accident and spent 3 months in hospital, after the first month I had received pressure sores from not being turned enough, then they shipped me to a hospital closer to my home and fed me tylenol 3 about 10 a day to keep my fever down they said, needless to say the pressure sores got infected badly requiring debrading and spread to my thigh which also required surgery and a drain bag installed. Stage 3 and 4 bed sores that came an 1/8 of an inch from my spine and killing me, so yes let the fever do it's job.

[@PartTimeDetector]

That sounds awful. I hope everything healed properly.

[@thegirlnextdoor2739]

This was intuitive to me as a mom. I let fever do its job whenever my kids were sick (I did keep an eye and use a thermometer in case it got over 104) and they recovered in good time from whatever ailed them. Had to fight the in-laws on this, but it was one of many battles that I knew was worth fighting. That, and only eating when hungry (and not rewarding with food) and the old wives tale about catching a cold because it's cold outside... My in-laws were quite the bullies, actually...

[@gabrielakania7262]

Wonderful explanations 🙏thank you Dr. Berrry. Just a quick question as my 6 year old has had a high temperature for almost 24 h. The highest it went last night was 40.03C now for last few hours stays on39.4 and isn’t going down. How long do we leave it like that? My son drinks a bit of water, is pretty happy on bed, calm, sleeping…. Can I please have some suggestions? Much appreciate, Gabriela

[@smhm5092]

Dr Ken - can you do an item on your recommendations on what best to do if someone has a fever - thank you

[@covered231]

Yes!!! So glad to see a MD saying this. We're corporately killing our immune systems by preventing fevers and taking antibiotics unnecessarily.

[@phardim]

So, what should one do? Hard to just stand by.

[@BrianAdams-dt1ks]

I think I'm now getting over my own covid story with no fever now for nearly six days. My main symptom was HIGH fever and revulsion of food. I had no congestion (except mild sinus pain at first) or pain of any kind, just this hell fever. I always did like to let the body do its thing on its own, but when my temp hit 103.9 I got scared and took some acetaminophen and motrin to get it down. Hopefully this crap is OVER.

[@duffmanyeahoh]

When I used to take medication for fever when I was younger, after I got better it always felt like something died in my stomach. Years later I actually learned that something letterly died in my stomach and even when I got better I felt like shit. Now when I do get a fever I know, usually the cause is my own faullt. Either lack of sleep, bad eating habbits or to much stress. These days I let the fever flow through my body WITHOUT any medication and after the fever I always feel REBORN.

[@MrBewbielover]

My grandma used to bundle blankets on to and say "sweat the flu out".

[@KenDBerryMD]

This is exactly what my grandma did too!

[@julieo4580]

Yes!! And if you got a weird bump on skin, put raw bacon on it to draw it out. Lol.

[@Johannore]

That's what I do too. Put on all the blankets I can find and then sleep.

[@shitboxoffroad]

For some reason when I felt ill I always felt like taking a really long hot shower, even with a fever.

[@june049]

Steven Arcand My mom always gave us hot toddies and the next morning we were up and in the front yard playing. We survived on cods liver oil, and toddies when it was serious. We were never admitted to to hospital our entire childhoods, and I don’t recall an ER visit for any sickness.

[@robby7997]

I have never heard of a doctor trying to lower a fever

[@hossskul544]

Thank you ,thank you ,thank you for finally making a video about this from an educated professional, I have been wondering about this my whole life why nature would have evolved the ability of fever only to damage or kill the organism , it never made sense. I was hurt to have a fever would cause brain damage…

[@everybodyluvsmonkeys]

I just am afraid to let my kids fever go above 103 because I've seen it spike quickly so I tend to give them a fever reducer. But a lower fever I leave but I do get what you are saying. For myself I hardly ever take a fever reducer.

[@loue6563]

i had pneumonia a few times as a child. Once we were snowed in. No fever reducer in site. Mine went to 106.6...the highest the thermometer would go... and I had hallucination, I can still see the floating heads and what I thought was the world exploding. My mom finally did get a hold of a doctor and he had her put me in the tub with cold water....NOT FUN!! It hurt so bad. Don't know if it helped or hurt. I did eventually stop hallucinating. And it did bring temp down enough that the hallucinations stopped. I believe I had hand, foot and mouth at the same time as all the skin on my feet came off and I had sores on my hands and in my mouth as well, I also had histoplasmosis the summer following this. Needless to say, my lungs were not in great condition for some time.

[@elizabethprov2894]

We don’t lower fevers in our home unless our children are inconsolable, very uncomfortable. Most of the time it’ll resolve itself in a day or two. It’s VERY rare that we need to give them fever reducers.

[@ryanfeeley2407]

Sad thing from a public health perspective is treating a fever has been shown to *increase* duration of viral shedding for several common respiratory viruses.

[@casswoof1569]

My mother (an old school nurse), would say of my children when they were younger 'oh she/he feels warm, u should give them some panadol'. My response was always no they are fine, maybe they are fighting an infection...consequently they rarely got sick and still rarely do.

[@julieelmore3827]

Shared on FB...

[@annietoday6814]

One half hour long ad has to be played IN FULL, before a second ad, and then I can watch this video Dr Berry!.... They will stop you by hook and Crook!