Fever induction is a method of raising the body’s core temperature for benefitting the immune system. It can be used for acute conditions such as the flu or viral colds, and for chronic conditions such as Epstein Barre Syndrome.
Contraindications: People with a history of heart problems; high fever with flushed red complexion should seek medical attention.
Hot baths, hot tubs, saunas, sweat lodges, and mineral spring baths are all time-honored fever induction techniques. The mechanics are simple: external application of heat for an extended period of time raises the core temperature of the body to at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is critical, as most viruses and bacteria can’t survive above 100 degrees. Classic healing modalities consider the body’s fever response to be a competent and natural way to combat unwanted infections. While a raging fever associated with scarlet fever for example is undesirable and must be treated quickly to avoid damage to the heart and nervous system, a regular fever with aches and pains is the type of fever that we consider to be normal and appropriate.
Furthermore, timely application of fever induction during a viral cold or flu (the first 2–4 hours) can stave off the problem entirely, or greatly reduce the severity of the symptoms associated with such infections. This is particularly significant, as allopathic medicine has no treatment other than flu vaccines for viral infections. So, imagine that your body is in the pre-symptomatic incubation period and you do some fever induction because all of your friends are succumbing to “the flu”. You soak in a bath or sit in the sauna and raise your core temperature to 101 degrees and wipe out the majority of viruses before they begin to replicate. Simple, right? It turns out to be the lowest impact way to deal with the problem. The body can very easily withstand a short-term elevation of temperature—that’s what a fever is, actually!
This is particularly significant because most NSAIDs(over the counter, anti-inflammatory drugs), taken in large quantities, cause stress to the liver and kidneys over time. It is even more relevant when we consider the negative consequences for elderly and pediatric patients from the over-administration of palliative measures that are presumed to reduce the risk of danger to such patients with routine illnesses. It turns out that working against the body’s natural immune responses can affect the immune system’s ability to successfully ward off infections over a period of time level.
Therefore, a practice of intervention that impedes the natural immune responses of the body would logically make one more susceptible to chronic infection such as chronic fatigue or Epstein Barre Syndrome. It is not uncommon for people with these conditions to have a low basal body temperature that falls within the “normal” clinical range. Where 98.6 degrees is considered ideal, allopathic medicine doesn’t consider 97 degrees to be anything to be concerned about. But, if we consider that viruses thrive in normal temperatures, what happens in a body that is never fully at optimal temperature?
Chronic aches and pain are associated with long-term auto immune conditions of all spectra. They are physical symptoms of virus replication in muscle and nerve tissue. Therefore, raising the core temperature of the body turns out to be an effective treatment strategy for chronic conditions as well. One can liken it to resetting a thermostat on a car motor. We all know that overheating an engine can result in costly and permanent damage in a car. Similarly, a defective thermostat that causes below-normal temperatures in a motor can result in widespread and varied problems in emission and sensor equipment in internal combustion motors. Changing the thermostat will get the engine to operate back within the normal range that it is designed to work within, and emissions and other functions return to normal. So it is with the human body: raising the core temperature enables the immune system to do what it is designed to do—fight infections on a broad spectrum of conditions (viruses and low impact bacteria).
Finally, the easiest way to do fever induction at home is to run a hot bath and soak for at least 45 minutes. It is best to have clothing ready to prevent getting chilled after your bath. During an active flu or viral cold, bathing before getting dressed warmly and promptly getting in bed to “sweat it out” is a great way to beat the achy muscles associated with these conditions.