Does taking a cold shower really bring down the temperature of a fever?

Question

I think I have a 102 or 103 degree fever. I don't want to take a cold shower yet because I don't know if it's safe. I think it was brought on by extensive football training this week, and I haven't trained in a long time. I play high school varsity football and it was time for spring training. It was really hot outside the first two days, but I felt okay until the next day where I started feeling sick. And on the third day I felt so bad that I didn't go because I was afraid I would collapse and die on the field of dehydration, heat stroke, or of an asthma attack. I still feel horrible, so should I go ahead and take a cold shower?

Answer 1

It could be swine flu. People are acting like Swine flu is not out there, but it is. The Centers for Disease Control have confirmed thousands of cases in the US, but they've stopped testing because half of all flu viruses are coming bach H1N1 positive. They predict that there are 100,000 people out there with it, but not everyone is getting tested.



So yes, you could have swine flu. But if you aren't coughing really bad, short of breath, and if your fever doesn't get any worse you should be okay. I'd still go to the doctor and ask to be put on antivirals, just to make sure. You shouldn't be running a fever like this from football, you have some sort of virus. Take it easy.



I don't think a cold shower will hurt. They say it puts you in shock but I've done it plenty of times and it brought my fever down when I was a kid and my mom couldn't get it down any other way. Best of luck to ya sweetie. Get lots of rest & keep yourself hydrated. Monitor your fever. Anything higher, go to the hospital. Keep tylenol or motrin in you.

Answer 2

A cold shower would help to lower a high body temperature because the cold would start to lower your core temperature, however it will not help too much with a fever. In regards to a fever, the best thing to do is take 2-3 Ibuprofen based pills (Advil) and then you can take a shower to make yourself more comfortable while waiting for your fever to lower.

Answer 3

No, the shock to your system won't be good. The best thing to do is get a wash cloth, soak it in rubbing alcohol and wipe yourself down. It will cool your skin without causing you that big shock. Plus be sure to keep cool and carefully drink liquids, something like a sports drink to bring up your electrolytes.

Answer 4

you may pass out from the sudden drop in temperature, so opt for an ice bath instead. hospitals do this by packing patients in ice, packed in plastic bags so there's minimal moisture in bed when the ice melts. when the patient wakes up from the deep sleep that follows, the temp will be much lower.



have someone watch over you in case other stuff happens when you do this at home. better yet, get instructions from hospital staff over the phone to do this right.

Answer 5

Yes, it'll bring your fever down. If yours gets to 104 you should seek out a doctor.



It works because its cooling the outside temperature of your skin, letting more of you cool off. Its perfectly safe.



Make sure to drink a TON of water. If you get worse, you should go see a doctor.

Answer 6

Yep, a cold shower would bring it down. I doubt it's swine flu.