Should People Sick with Fever be Kept Warm or Cool?

Question

I was sick with the flu two weeks ago with a high fever. My mom said it was better to give me cold towels to put on my body to force the fever down -- however, my dad said it was better to keep me warm because the high temperature was to kill the virus. Either way, I still got over the bug -- but would either of those had helped me heal faster? Which one?

Answer 1

Just stay comfortable. When the fever is rising, you feel chilly. When it is coming down, you sweat and feel hot. Too many blankets can hinder the fall of temperature. When the fever is very high, a tepid bath or sponging helps the temperature come down faster.

Answer 2

A fever is not to kill the virus, it is a sign of infection. Your mom was right to use cold towels to keep the fever down. (I hope they weren't too cold) They are supposed to be lukewarm, or a lukewarm bath works just as well.

Answer 3

Keeping person warm sometimes effects negatively. (such during high temp; 40 C esp.)In this case you can apply cold to thighs.
Addition to that in normal cases cold application suppresses the immune system. If you are not sure i advise you keep patient in normal room temperature.
Wish you healthy days

Answer 4

Stay in bed and put a damp, cold towel on your forehead then put on a lot of covers to keep you warm, Your parents were both right!

Answer 5

your mum was quite right, if you have a high temperature you need to bring it down by using cool towels, although taking some Neurofen would have done the trick, and might have been more comfortable than cold towels.

Answer 6

You certainly don't want to raise a temperature by being too warm, therefore, you want to remain cool but not cold.

Answer 7

for the most part warm but if you get too high as in over 102 then it needs to be brought down

Answer 8

warm because if you keep the room to cool then it can cause your body to experiencing chills, which can make you feel even worse than you already do.

Answer 9

warm!