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What is a fever? |
Health
Fevers usually happen when your body is sick with something like a virus or bacteria. Normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (sometimes a bit higher or lower for some people) and a fever is when you’re body gets warmer, generally 100.5 degrees or higher.
Because it can make you feel so crummy, it might be hard to believe that fevers are actually your body’s way of helping you! Many types of germs can’t survive at a higher temperature, so by making you hotter, a fever is often encouraging your germs to pack up and leave! A fever can also simply be a signal from your body that something is wrong so that you know to get the rest, fluids, or medical help that you need to get better.
Do you ever feel cold and get the shivers when you have a fever? The reason this happens is that a special part in your brain called the “hypothalamus” sets a new higher temperature for your body and, until you reach it, you feel cold! The reason you sometimes shiver, too, is that it helps you create heat to reach that new temperature quickly.
Although they can be pretty uncomfortable, the good news about fevers is that they usually go away within just a few days!
Get Well Soon
There are plenty of things you can do when you’re not feeling well to help you feel better soon!
For example, sometimes taking a nice bath and changing your clothes will make you feel better, especially if you’ve been lying in bed feeling icky all day long. Sleeping is also very helpful, as it gives your body lots of time to rest and fight off whatever is making you feel sick.
Drinking warm tea or having a bowl of chicken soup also helps a lot of people to feel better when they are sick. Getting a nice Get Well Card from a friend or watching your favorite movie can also make you smile when you’re not well!
