Is it good to stay hot when you're sick? The surprising facts about fever management

September 29, 2025 •

4 min read

A fever is the body's natural defense mechanism, intentionally raising its temperature to fight off infection. The idea that it is good to stay hot when you're sick, however, is a widespread misconception that can be more harmful than helpful.

Quick Summary

It is not advisable to intentionally overheat your body, as this can lead to dehydration and other complications, distinguishing a controlled fever from unregulated hyperthermia. Proper management involves supporting your immune system with rest and hydration while avoiding excessive heat.

Key Points

Fever is a defense, not an enemy: A fever is a controlled, therapeutic temperature increase by your immune system to create a hostile environment for pathogens.
Avoid intentional overheating: Deliberately making yourself hotter to 'sweat it out' can cause dangerous hyperthermia, not help your body recover.
Hydration is critical: Excessive sweating from overheating can cause dehydration, worsening your symptoms and delaying recovery.
Stay comfortably cool, not cold: Use light clothing and lukewarm baths to manage discomfort, as cold water can cause shivering and increase your core temperature.
Rest is your best medicine: Allow your body to direct its energy toward fighting the infection by getting plenty of rest.
Know when to call a doctor: Watch for severe symptoms like a very high fever, confusion, or difficulty breathing, which warrant professional medical attention.

Understanding the Immune Response: The Purpose of a Fever

When your body detects an infection, such as from a virus or bacteria, your hypothalamus—the brain's internal thermostat—resets to a higher temperature. This triggers a series of actions, such as shivering to generate heat, which is why you might feel cold even though you have a fever. The purpose of this controlled temperature increase is to create a less hospitable environment for the invading pathogens, as many thrive best at normal body temperature. This elevated temperature also helps to mobilize the immune system, making your immune cells more effective at fighting the infection. In short, a fever is a sign that your body's defenses are active and working as intended.

The Dangers of Intentionally Overheating

While the body's natural fever response is beneficial, deliberately bundling up or sitting in a hot tub to "sweat it out" is dangerous and can lead to hyperthermia, which is distinct from a fever. Hyperthermia is an uncontrolled and dangerous rise in body temperature that overwhelms the body's cooling mechanisms, primarily sweating.

Intentionally increasing your body temperature when you are already running a fever can result in several serious complications:

Dehydration: Sweating excessively depletes your body of fluids and electrolytes, which are essential for recovery. Dehydration can exacerbate symptoms like headaches and fatigue, and in severe cases, it can lead to dangerous drops in blood pressure.
Heatstroke: This is a severe medical emergency that occurs when your body's temperature regulation system fails completely. Symptoms include confusion, slurred speech, unconsciousness, and hot, dry skin. A person who is already fighting an illness is more susceptible to this condition.
Increased Stress on the Body: Pushing your body to extremes can place unnecessary stress on your systems, delaying recovery rather than speeding it up. Your body needs rest to heal, not to battle against forced, artificial heat.

Best Practices for Managing a Fever

Instead of trying to force a higher temperature, the safest and most effective approach is to focus on comfort and support for your immune system. Follow these steps:

Rest is crucial. Avoid strenuous activity, as your immune system needs energy to fight the infection. Your body will naturally encourage this by making you feel fatigued.
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids like water, clear broths, and electrolyte-rich drinks. Avoid caffeinated beverages and alcohol, which can cause dehydration.
Use light bedding and clothing. Dress in loose, comfortable clothes. If you have chills, a light blanket is fine, but avoid piling on heavy covers, which can prevent your body from cooling itself effectively and can lead to overheating.
Try a lukewarm bath. A lukewarm, not cold, bath can help to gently lower your body temperature. Using cold water or ice can cause shivering, which paradoxically generates more heat.
Use cool compresses. Applying a cool, damp washcloth to your forehead, neck, or armpits can provide some temporary relief from the heat.

The Distinction Between a Fever and External Heat

One of the most important distinctions to understand is the difference between fever (endogenous heat) and hyperthermia (exogenous heat). Fever is a controlled, regulated process where the body's thermostat is intentionally raised. Hyperthermia, on the other hand, is an uncontrolled elevation of body temperature caused by external factors (like a hot environment) or internal mechanisms malfunctioning. The latter is a medical emergency.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While most fevers are harmless and resolve on their own, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical care. You should contact a healthcare provider or seek emergency care if you experience any of the following:

A very high fever (above 103-104°F for adults, or lower depending on age, especially in infants).
Severe headache or stiff neck.
Confusion, irritability, or unusual sleepiness.
Difficulty breathing or chest pain.
A new or unexplained rash.
Persistent vomiting or inability to keep fluids down.
A fever that lasts for more than 48-72 hours without a clear cause.

Medication vs. Natural Methods: A Comparison


Feature	Over-the-Counter Medications	Natural/Supportive Methods
Mechanism	Work by blocking the production of fever-causing chemicals (e.g., prostaglandins).	Focus on supporting the body's natural cooling and recovery processes.
Examples	Acetaminophen, ibuprofen. (Note: Aspirin should not be given to children or teens due to the risk of Reye's syndrome).	Rest, hydration, lukewarm baths, light clothing, cool compresses.
Purpose	To reduce fever and discomfort, helping with aches and pains. Can mask symptoms.	To manage symptoms and make the patient more comfortable, while allowing the immune system to do its work.
When to Use	When a fever causes significant discomfort or pain, hindering rest and recovery.	For most fevers, especially if discomfort is mild. Always a good supplement to medication.

Conclusion: Support Your Body, Don't Fight It

In conclusion, the idea that it is good to stay hot when you're sick is a dangerous myth. The heat generated during a fever is a carefully regulated part of your immune response, and attempting to force more heat onto your body through external means can do more harm than good. A fever, within a safe range, is your body's ally, not your enemy. By focusing on providing your body with the rest, hydration, and comfort it needs, you support its natural healing process. For further information on managing fevers safely, refer to reputable sources like the Cleveland Clinic for guidance. Always consult a healthcare professional when in doubt or if you experience severe symptoms.

Sources

Cleveland Clinic: Provides information on fever management and safe practices.
NIH (PubMed Central): Features articles detailing the complex mechanisms of fever and the immune system.
Harvard Health: Offers comprehensive guidance on fever causes, symptoms, and when to seek medical help.
University of Rochester Medical Center: Explains the purpose of a fever and what to do when you have one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sweating is your body's natural cooling mechanism. When your body's internal thermostat resets to a normal temperature, it sheds excess heat through sweating, which is a sign that your fever is beginning to subside.

No, a hot bath is not recommended. It can raise your body temperature and cause your fever to get dangerously high. Instead, use a lukewarm bath or a cool, damp compress to help regulate your temperature more gently.

When you get a fever, your body's internal thermostat is set to a higher temperature. The chills you feel are a signal that your body is generating heat to reach this new, higher set point, similar to how a house's furnace works.

You can manage a fever by resting, staying hydrated, and keeping cool with light clothing and lukewarm baths. For high or uncomfortable fevers, over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help, but they should be used as directed.

Fever is a regulated and controlled rise in body temperature triggered by the immune system. Hyperthermia, on the other hand, is an uncontrolled and dangerous increase in body temperature, often due to overwhelming external heat.

This is a common myth. While sweating does help regulate your temperature, it does not expel the viruses or bacteria that made you sick. Your immune system, not sweating, is responsible for fighting off infections.

An adult should seek medical attention for a fever over 104°F, a fever that lasts more than 72 hours, or if it is accompanied by symptoms like confusion, severe headache, stiff neck, or difficulty breathing.