When you’re sick with a fever, you want to do everything you can to alleviate your symptoms and recover more quickly. A shower can be comforting and helpful when you have a fever, but the right temperature often depends on the situation.
Lukewarm showers are a great option because they don’t raise your body temperature, and they’re more comfortable than a cold shower.
This article will break down the benefits of a hot or cold shower when sick with fever, as well as how you can look after yourself when you have a fever.
Benefits of Showers When Sick
A fever is usually a symptom of another illness or an infection. Your immune system has raised your core body temperature in order to fight off a pathogen, but this has the unfortunate side effect of giving you a fever.
Fever symptoms can be unpleasant, and they include things like headaches, chills, body aches, nausea, and a decreased appetite. Taking a shower when you’re sick can be a good way to make you feel better and fight off the illness.
Showers are an important way to maintain good hygiene, so you’re less likely to get sick from something else. A shower can also alleviate any body aches or other symptoms that you might have when you’re sick. This might include reducing inflammation that causes pain or loosening congestion.
Showers are also great for improving your circulation, which will be beneficial for recovery. Finally, showers just feel nice. They’re comforting and relaxing, and all of this contributes to a quicker recovery.
Hot Showers: Pros and Cons
If you’ve got chills from a fever as well as other symptoms, then a hot shower might be incredibly tempting. Here are a few potential benefits as well as downsides surrounding a hot shower.
Pros of Hot Showers
The heat from a hot shower can be incredibly soothing if you have any body pains. It will also increase your circulation, allowing your blood to flow more freely through your body. Most people have a fever as a symptom of another illness, often a cold or a chest infection.
In this case, you will find that the steam from the hot shower is great for soothing a sore throat and relieving congestion. If you add essential oils, this steam can be even more beneficial. Hot showers are also very relaxing, so if you shower before you go to bed, you are more likely to sleep properly.
Sleep is a vital part of recovery, especially if you have a fever.
Cons of Hot Showers
However, hot showers aren’t always the best option if you have a high temperature. The heat of the shower can increase your temperature even further, which might make your fever symptoms worse. If you already have a high fever, this could be dangerous.
The initial symptoms might be that you start to feel dizzy or lightheaded. If this happens too quickly, you might even faint in the shower or shortly after leaving the shower. This could result in an injury if you fall badly when you faint.
Another potential issue could be that you become more dehydrated because your body temperature has risen even more. A fever can cause dehydration anyway, and a hot shower can make this worse.
Cold Showers: Pros and Cons
Some people decide to have a cold shower, especially if they have a fever. While this isn’t as comfortable as a hot shower, there are a few good reasons to consider a cold shower, as well as some potential problems.
Pros of Cold Showers
One of the biggest upsides to a cold shower, especially in contrast to hot showers, is that it will lower your body temperature. This will counteract the symptoms of a fever and might provide some relief from a headache or other issues.
Cold showers are also proven to boost the immune system, which will be helpful when you’re trying to fight off an illness or infection. Studies have shown that cold showers stimulate white blood cell production, which strengthens your immune system.
If you have inflammation and muscle pain, cold showers can provide some relief as well. You might also feel more alert after you get out of the shower.
Cons of Cold Showers
Unfortunately, cold showers tend to be much less comfortable than hot showers, and the colder they are, the worse the experience might be. If you’re feeling unwell and uncomfortable anyway, you might want to avoid cold showers for this reason.
While one of the benefits of a cold shower is that it reduces your body temperature, an extreme drop in temperature can cause a shock to your system. This might cause excessive shivering, which, if you have a fever, might result in your temperature rising once you leave the shower.
If you have respiratory problems, a cold shower can make it more difficult to catch your breath.
When to Choose a Hot Shower
The best type of shower often comes down to your circumstances and symptoms. If you have no fever or a mild fever, then a hot shower might be more beneficial. If you have a fever, then avoid an extremely hot shower.
A warm shower can be comfortable without risking dizziness or blood pressure drops. Hot showers are especially good if you have a respiratory illness like a cold, flu, or chest infection.
This is because the steam relieves congestion in your nasal passages, which can make your headache feel better and can even make it easier to breathe while you’re in the shower. The hot water will also soothe muscle aches. A hot shower can be helpful if you have muscle pain for other reasons as well, such as arthritis or a mild injury.
When to Choose a Cold Shower
Cold showers are good for you even if you’re not sick because they can help build up your immune system. However, a cold or, ideally, lukewarm shower can be great if you have a fever, as it will lower your body temperature.
While a too-cold shower might shock the system, a lukewarm shower is more comfortable and will still reduce your fever symptoms.
The Role of Shower Filters When Sick With Fever
Showers can be effective ways to treat a fever at home, as well as potentially improve your immune system. In addition to controlling the temperature of your shower, you can also use a shower filter to get rid of any impurities and bacteria.
When you’re sick, it’s best to avoid any extra potential causes of illnesses. Your immune system is already stressed out, so a cleaner and more hygienic shower can prevent any additional symptoms or stresses to your body.
AquaBliss provides showerheads and shower filters that are designed with your health and comfort in mind. A filter can make it easier for you to recover while hopefully working to prevent any other illnesses in the future.
Personal Care Tips When Sick With a Fever
A fever can make you feel miserable, and, in some cases, it can be dangerous. If you are concerned about your fever, take your temperature and contact a doctor. A temperature above 103°F can be dangerous, as can a fever that lasts for more than a few days.
Some troubling symptoms, like vomiting, difficulty breathing, a stiff neck, or a rapid heart rate, can be signs that you have a serious health condition. If you or someone else loses consciousness or has other troubling symptoms, get emergency medical attention.
However, while a fever can be severe, most people can treat it at home without going to the emergency room. Over-the-counter painkillers can reduce a fever, as well as treat the headache and muscle aches that go with it.
Make sure that you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, as excess sweating can cause dehydration. Sports drinks are a great option because they also provide electrolytes. Try to eat a little and often if you don’t have an appetite.
Some home remedies can offer relief and help your general well-being as you recover from a disease or infection. Cold packs can bring your temperature down rapidly, while a sponge bath can bring it down in a controlled manner.
Final Thoughts
Fevers are a common but unpleasant symptom of a lot of illnesses and diseases, including bacterial infections. However, there are a few ways to relieve the symptoms at home. Your shower can be really helpful.
Hot showers can make you feel better if you have a mild fever, aches, and pains, as well as congestion, or other respiratory problems. Cold showers and lukewarm showers are great for lowering your body temperature.
The best type of shower depends on your circumstances. But in any case, you can improve your showers by getting a showerhead filter that filters the water and meets your needs. Please check out the AquaBliss collection to make your showers more comfortable and healthier.
**Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance.**
