Feel Better Fast

Quick-healing techniques for 8 common maladies.

Fever 

Do... 

• Take acetaminophen (which is found in Tylenol) as directed to lower your fever temporarily until the illness makes its way through your system.
• Drink plenty of liquids. A fever can cause perspiration, and if you don’t replenish those fluids, you could become dehydrated.

Don’t... 

• Try to work through it. Going to the gym or out for drinks with friends can further stress your body and hamper recovery.
• Cool your skin with ice packs when you overheat; ice can actually burn your skin. Use a cold washcloth instead.

Call your doctor if… 

• You have a fever that’s over 101 degrees Fahrenheit, you have a headache and neck pain, or your fever doesn’t break after two solid days. Most fevers are viral and go away in a day or two. But in some cases a fever could be the sign of something more serious, like a kidney infection, pneumonia, or meningitis.