5 Safe Ways to Reduce a Fever

1. Dress for the temperature. Don't overdress or underdress yourself. Putting on too many clothes retains your body's heat; underdressing encourages shivering, which produces more heat. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothes that allow the air to circulate over your skin.

2. Keep cool. Open a window, turn on the air conditioner, or go outside. Cool, fresh air removes the heat from your body.

3. Drink lots of fluids. Sweating and fast breathing cause your body to lose fluids that need replacing. Carry around a water bottle and sip all day long.

4. Feed the fever. The extra heat you produce burns up fuel that needs replacing with nutritious calories. Calorie-filled, cool smoothies combine the need for food and fluids.

5. Take a cool dip. Soak in a lukewarm bath or shower that is cool enough not to be uncomfortable or make you shiver. Then step out of the tub while still wet and allow your body to cool by evaporation.