Fever as mentioned above is a normal response of our body to some harmful exogenous or endogenous factor. In order to prevent its appearance, we should be particularly careful about the transmission of infections, especially viral infections that are typically more contagious. We must follow the vaccination programs for children and adults, as issued by the P.O.Y. and KEELPNO. Great care is needed in observing personal hygiene measures to prevent the transmission of viruses. If someone is sick, they should stay at home for at least seven days after the onset of symptoms and definitely for 24 hours after the fever has subsided.
Patients should eat well, drink plenty of water and juices rich in vitamin C, get enough sleep and avoid smoking. They should also take care to frequently ventilate the space they live in, wash their hands thoroughly with simple soap and water before touching any surface, especially if they live in the same space as healthy people. Patients who sneeze or cough should use tissues or make sure to cough into the inner surface of their elbow. Healthy people who care for or live with patients in the same house must necessarily wear a mask and gloves when they come into contact with them and wash their hands well whenever they touch the patient or commonly used surfaces. For this reason, special disposable antiseptic wipes or special antiseptic hand solutions can also be used. The use of nutritional supplements rich in vitamins, zinc and herbal ingredients (propolis, echinacea) contribute to strengthening the immune system. The prevention of transmission is also achieved by avoiding places where people are crowded in winter (e.g. coffee shops) and by regular ventilation of these places.
The regular annual check up with a clinical examination by the doctor and the necessary laboratory tests prevents on a large scale the prevention of neoplasms such as of the breast and cervix in women, of the prostate in men and of the colon.
Proper nutrition plays an important role in maintaining the body’s good health and its effective defense against diseases. It has been shown that the Mediterranean diet significantly increases life expectancy and significantly reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and malignancies. The daily diet should include olive oil as a fat source, plenty of fruits, vegetables, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. . In combination with diet, daily physical exercise is necessary (about 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily).
However, because fever as a symptom corresponds to a multitude of diseases from every cause and every system of the body, every time it persists beyond three days or is accompanied by other symptoms, it should lead us to seek medical advice.
Angelos P. Karatzaferis, Specialist Pathologist/ Scientific Associate for the GET WELL Natural Corner service
Excellent Graduate of the School of Medicine of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Specialty in Internal Pathology at the Pathological Physiology Clinic of the University of Athens
