Vijay Patel Vijay Patel Asked 7 months ago

What temp bath for fever?

My son has a fever, and we're giving him a sponge bath to try and bring his temperature down. I always get confused about the water temperature. What is the ideal temperature for a bath when someone has a fever?

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6 answers

Rekha Devi Rekha Devi Joined Jan 2026 7 months ago
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For fever, especially if it's high, a lukewarm bath can help bring the temperature down. Not cold, not hot, just body temperature or slightly cooler. It gives some relief. But also, with any persistent fever, get it checked, especially if you have other health conditions like thyroid that can affect your overall well-being.

Manish Sharma Manish Sharma Joined May 2026 5 months ago

Oh god, fever makes me so anxious, especially if it's high. I always get confused about the bath temperature. Is it better to be slightly cool or just room temperature? I've heard too cold can actually make it worse. What's the safest temp, does anyone know for sure?

Shilpa Gupta Shilpa Gupta Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago

I've tried many things for fever over the years. For a bath, it should be lukewarm, like comfortably warm to your elbow, not cold. A cold bath can actually make the body shiver and increase the temperature. Just gentle sponging is also very effective, especially under the armpits and groin. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

Arjun Patel Arjun Patel Joined May 2026 5 months ago

When you have a fever, the body is fighting something, so rest is crucial. For a bath, lukewarm water, not cold, helps reduce the body temp gradually. Cold can shock the system. Focus on hydration and easy-to-digest food. Once fever breaks, light exercise can be resumed after a day or two of feeling completely well.

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Neha Joshi Neha Joshi Joined Jan 2026 7 months ago

Oh, fever can be so worrying! It's important to remember not to use cold water for a bath, as that can make you shiver and raise your temperature even more. Lukewarm is the key, maybe just a little cooler than your normal body temperature. If the fever is really high or not coming down, please call your doctor, don't overthink it, just get help.

Sameer Khan Sameer Khan Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

For fever, a tepid (lukewarm) sponge bath or shower is recommended. The water should feel slightly cool, not cold, to the touch, usually around 29-32°C (85-90°F). The aim is to help the body dissipate heat without causing shivering, which can increase temperature. Always consult a doctor for persistent or high fever.

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