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Well I’ve been sick for the past week and battled with a fever in the midst of it. So what did I do? Well, it may not be what you think. I didn’t take a tylenol or an antibiotic. I simply let it run its course. Everyone seems to think you must knock a fever out at all cost. Do we think differently? Not usually. The doctor will give you the same advice. Take a tylenol and get plenty of rest and whatever infection will go away in time. But is a fever truly that bad?

Yes, there are nasty symptoms of a fever. A fever can be accompanied by headaches, nausea, rash, and the dreaded runs. But have you ever stopped to think why you’re body is taking on a fever? The fever isn’t what makes you sick. The fever is simply one of your bodies many defense systems put in place to knock out a bug or a virus.

Should you let a fever run its course. In most cases, YES.

When your body takes on a fever, the higher temperature creates an unfavorable environment for most unwanted viral and bacterial strains. White blood cells rapidly multiply and get to work on wiping out the ‘intruders’. Therefore the body stands a better chance of recovering quickly from the infection.

However, any fever is cause for concern and you should contact your doctor if you have  symptoms. If you’re pretty sure you just have a little bug and your temp isn’t up above 101, I would recommend staying the course and letting your body get to work on eliminating the infection. Of course, in all instances keep an eye on your body temp by regularly checking it every few hours. If your temp. is above 101 or reaches that point at any time contact a doctor immediately. A fever at 103 or above left unchecked is extremely dangerous and sometimes fatal.