Cold & Flu

  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Cold & Flu

Check Your Symptoms - What to do for Fever Symptoms

By Kristina Duda, R.N., About.com

Updated: April 16, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

4 of 6

How to Reduce a Fever Without Medication

There are a few options if you would prefer to try to reduce a fever without medication. These may also help if medication is not reducing the fever quickly enough.

  • Taking a bath in lukewarm water -- be sure the water is not cold, if it causes shivering, that may cause the body temperature to increase.


  • Cool packs or cool rags under the arms, on the forehead and in the groin area -- be sure the packs are not too cold.


  • Be sure not to wrap the person with a fever in blankets or warm clothes. Although they may feel cold, added layers will only prevent the body temperature from dropping like it should. Dress the person in one layer of comfortable clothes, provided the environmental temperature is comfortable.

Explore Cold & Flu

About.com Special Features

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.

Cold & Flu

  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Cold & Flu
  4. Check Your Symptoms
  5. Reduce Fever Without Medication - How to Reduce a Fever Without Medication

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.