just wondering, im always hearing this but really don't know the definitive answer.
sweat out a cold - is it a fact or myth?
- Thread starter turbomazda
- Start date
- Status
Common cruddy cold caused by a virus, right?
One of the body's defense mechanisms against viri is a fever.
Not long ago, one of many medical research studies indicated that a fever can be useful id fighting off a cold.
Excess fever that harms the body's own cells is bad, of course.
I suppose that one can assume the body sweating indicates internal excess heat and the body is trying to cool itself off. The excess internal heat may be creating a hostile environment for the viri. Thus, the sweating is indicating the body is fighting back.
So, sweat young man, sweat. Soak those sheets!!!!
Just ensure the body's temp doesn't jump too high and harm thine own cells.
For the typical cold I doubt you'll have to worry about a too-high body temp but some viral invasions are definitely dangerous so the body will fight back hard...perhaps a fight to the death..... either the viri win or your trillions of cells working semi-harmoniously will win.
Good luck!!!!
One of the body's defense mechanisms against viri is a fever.
Not long ago, one of many medical research studies indicated that a fever can be useful id fighting off a cold.
Excess fever that harms the body's own cells is bad, of course.
I suppose that one can assume the body sweating indicates internal excess heat and the body is trying to cool itself off. The excess internal heat may be creating a hostile environment for the viri. Thus, the sweating is indicating the body is fighting back.
So, sweat young man, sweat. Soak those sheets!!!!
Just ensure the body's temp doesn't jump too high and harm thine own cells.
For the typical cold I doubt you'll have to worry about a too-high body temp but some viral invasions are definitely dangerous so the body will fight back hard...perhaps a fight to the death..... either the viri win or your trillions of cells working semi-harmoniously will win.
Good luck!!!!
As Obbop said a fever of 101 or so and maybe 103 for kids does help. But I think that what people have observed is that when a fever "breaks" thats when sweating really begins. So people confuse the "cause" and "effect" you sweat bc the fever actually broke. If you cover up when you have a fever you could easily go too far and cause some body damage.
\
So in general I would be very careful to induce more warmth when you already have a fever.
\
So in general I would be very careful to induce more warmth when you already have a fever.
what about physical work or exercise causing the sweating?
Heck no. The worst thing you can do if you have a cold is to do any strenous excercise or work. My mother is a nurse, she knows. The best thing to do is rest and drink plenty of fluids.
BTW, feed a fever AND feed a cold..
Best thing to do with a cold is resign yourself that you'll feel better when you feel better, and deal.
Of course, Nyquil in large amounts helps you not worry about the symptoms so much....
Of course, Nyquil in large amounts helps you not worry about the symptoms so much....
JHZR2
Staff member
There is nothing more uncomfortable to me than feeling lousy while being freezing... I prefer the cold to being hot, but with a fever, I HATE the cold.
I never really thought about it in the moment, but t makes total sense not to cover one's self up... As lousy as it is.
I only hope Ive not damaged myself! I dont get sick very often at all though...
JMH
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2002
- Messages
- 39,793
As others confirm ..this is true. It's also why treating symptoms (fever being one) can prolong your bout with whatever you have. Most of the symptoms are the body's way of coping/fighting the antagonistic agent.
They can be darn inconvenient.
Hmm..wonder how much damage I did as a kid when I just piled on the blankets (due to the chills associated with fever) ..and just knew I was better when I got hot and uncomfortable
Odd as it may seem to some of you, I, at times, embrace that feeling of the slight chill (the mild fever) and wrapping up in a blanket and indulge myself in the peaceful solitude that it provides.
Quote:
Hmm..wonder how much damage I did as a kid when I just piled on the blankets (due to the chills associated with fever) ..and just knew I was better when I got hot and uncomfortableI hope my mother took my temperature often. Then again, it could explain a few things
I used to do that too, although I took it a step further. I would turn the heat up all the way, cover myself with a heavy blanket and sit on a heating pad on it's highest setting.
i dont see how this would be true. most organisms, bacteria etc all THRIVE in hotter tempartures. infact they speed up reproduction as the temp rises.
maybe i am missing something here but i just dont get it. keep it copasetic. and you learn to accept it. you know you're so pathetic.
maybe i am missing something here but i just dont get it. keep it copasetic. and you learn to accept it. you know you're so pathetic.
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2003
- Messages
- 23,587
A fever is nothing but a symptom of an immune response. As such, the fever itself isn't what helps fight off anything, but it shows the immune system is responding to an infection (viral or bacterial). Obviously a high a fever can be dangerous and is also an excessive burden on the body (cardovascular system. A moderate fever is just fine with your average viral cold infection. A fever which is not accompanied by sweating can be very dangerous. Remaining hydrated is of course essential essential.
Not sure what the original poster meant by "sweating out a cold." Hitting the tracks or the pool isn't going to work well for most folks.
In college we had to do forced runs 4 times a week and once in a while this would actually help with a cold. I don't mean a really bad cold but I can usually help my cold by going for a long run. I may just be fooling myself into thinking it helps though.
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2003
- Messages
- 23,587
Maybe an otherwise rather healthy and in good shape individual's immune system may get a little boost by some exercise. The caveat is that the cold or flu symptoms should be limited to above the neck. Any signs of respiratory infection (bronchitis), body aches and fever certainly are clear signs to not put any additional strain on the body. Next time stay in bed and see if you can sleep off (let the immune system do its job) the cold instead.
Some folks may know of Kneipp therapy, the orgin of hydrotherapy. Kneipp was a monk in the 19th century who cured his own tuberculosis by jumping into the river Danube in the winter. One can only presume that the shock jump-started an immune response that could overwhelm the disease. It may work for some...
Some folks may know of Kneipp therapy, the orgin of hydrotherapy. Kneipp was a monk in the 19th century who cured his own tuberculosis by jumping into the river Danube in the winter. One can only presume that the shock jump-started an immune response that could overwhelm the disease. It may work for some...
Warlord, I'd guess that you are getting a little more oxygen, which I believe can help (maybe a little more vitamin D than sitting inside under a blanket too).
mori, that's just insane...I think the cold may have killed the TB bugs, and maybe he was just lucky that they were weaker than him.
mori, that's just insane...I think the cold may have killed the TB bugs, and maybe he was just lucky that they were weaker than him.
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2003
- Messages
- 23,587
I'm not sure if TB bacteria are sensitive to cold. I doubt the cold killed the bacteria, because he just went for a short dip. I guess he had read Nitzsche, who coined the phrase "That which does not kill us makes us stronger."
Have to chime in again,
One of the newer medical studies appearing in the New England Journal of Medicine, I believe, DID state that it appears the higher internal body temperature attained by the functioning of the immune system does impede the replication of viri associated with several viral types, including the common cold.
Impede or stop viral replication along with antibodies attacking those viri and the victim has began the process of eliminating that pesky cold or whatever ails thee.
There was no mention of increased internal heat (fever) being effective against bacterial infections, that I can recall.
So, fighting a fever caused by a viral infection may actually prolong the misery.
YMMV
One of the newer medical studies appearing in the New England Journal of Medicine, I believe, DID state that it appears the higher internal body temperature attained by the functioning of the immune system does impede the replication of viri associated with several viral types, including the common cold.
Impede or stop viral replication along with antibodies attacking those viri and the victim has began the process of eliminating that pesky cold or whatever ails thee.
There was no mention of increased internal heat (fever) being effective against bacterial infections, that I can recall.
So, fighting a fever caused by a viral infection may actually prolong the misery.
YMMV
I think that is true. My daughter who was a neonatal nurse and practitioner is very adamant about not using a Tylenol, etc. on children unless the temp is above 102.
- Status
