Do you take a bath when you are sick?
By robert19ph
@robert19ph (4577)
Philippines
July 7, 2008 2:59am CST
Hello again!
I was sick last week due to an inflamed tonsils. After eating a lot of chocolate and lack of sleep my tonsils got the better of me and got me sick. I can't swallow and I have a very high fever. I took massive dose of anti-biotics, pain and fever reliever. My fever was so high that the medicine is not helping. To lower my fever, I have to take a bath. It took me awhile to get to the bathroom but I was able to take a shower and it lower my fever. After the bath I feel better and I was able to do something else like eat. The anti-biotic took it's effect later and I was fine after two days in bed.
How about you guys, do you take drastic measures to relieve you of your sickness? Whattype of un-orthodox method do you do?
Taking a bath is a good way of lowering high fever and we do it also with our children. It is better than wiping their head and body with cold water to lower fever.
6 people like this
25 responses
@jammyt (2818)
• Philippines
8 Jul 08
Yes, it is a practice in our country. Usually warm water is used and it will be fast only. Yes it does help relieve fever at some point but if not watched closely, it can also be bad. Also, there should be some antibiotics taken too. This will help the virus get away faster.
2 people like this
@robert19ph (4577)
• Philippines
8 Jul 08
Hello jammyt,
Yeah, warm water will help because after you take a bath, your body cool down. A few minutes is ok. Soaking is bad, you might get a pneumonia. I think anti-biotic does not kill virus, it's bacteria that it kills. Without anti-biotic I don't think my body can fight off the bacteria well. 
@dhangski (3194)
• Philippines
7 Jul 08
Good to hear that you're ok now. That's the best thing that you've done. Taking a bath when your fever is really high. It helps the fever to go down. Whenever I have fever, I tend to do same thing. So that the hot temperature inside my body will go out. And that will be a relief. I do that also to my kids.
@robert19ph (4577)
• Philippines
7 Jul 08
Hello dhangski,
Thanks. I am sure glad I am fine now. I just need to take care of my health, specially my tonsil. If I am not careful I get sick frequently.
@robert19ph (4577)
• Philippines
8 Jul 08
Hello dhangski,
I am sure glad to give them to you. I Still have a lot here.
@jairgirl (2877)
• United States
9 Jul 08
hello robert,
i hope by now you are fully recovered.
to answer you question i do take a shower even if i am sick i remember my mom getting upset on me coz she thinks it is not right but despite that old tale i still do and i used to tease her about it coz now doctors do prescribed that a person with fever take a cold shower to cool down the body and freshen up as well.
i hate the feeling of not having a bath in a day so even if i cannot walk i still do.
i remember when i sprained my ankle and they prescribed that it is best to wait till i recovered before i have a shower but i dont listen coz i feel so dirty and i cannot relax knowing i am not having one.
same reason why i need to be cleaned before i go to sleep.
it is like brushing my teeth i cannot live a normal life if i dont brush my teeth.
anyway, get well!
takecare
@robert19ph (4577)
• Philippines
12 Jul 08
Hello jairgirl,
I am feeling better now. I can sometime survive without taking a bath for a day or two. If I don't go out and I am just at home and feeling lazy. I can survive my look and my smell. But my wife can't and so I do it if she is not around.
@jairgirl (2877)
• United States
15 Jul 08
eewwwwwww, a day or two? yikes! LOL
great to know you can stand your smell - it is your smell anyway hahaha!
i think it is alright to do it as long as it is ok with the person who is not taking a bath, sometimes laziness can be sop extreme that you wont feel like doing anything else other than sitting or sleeping.
anyway, great to know you are feeling much better now.
takecare
@Bluepatch (2476)
• Trinidad And Tobago
10 Jul 08
You need to be careful about bathing when you liable to fever.
But, yes, I do bathe when I'm sick.
It gets rid of all the bed clammyness and other sticky areas of your body.
It refreshes you and you feel better afterwards.
1 person likes this
@robert19ph (4577)
• Philippines
12 Jul 08
Hello bluepatch,
Ok. I'll take note of all necessary precaution.
@qhwater (392)
• China
9 Jul 08
that is totally depends on whether taking a bath is ok. if i am just a little sick, i will take shower. i have the habit of taking shower every evening. but if i feel uncomfortable and doctor suggests not to take bath, then i will not do it, of course.
1 person likes this
@robert19ph (4577)
• Philippines
12 Jul 08
Hello qhwater,
That's is true. In some cases taking a bath might make your case worst.
@venkygec (783)
• India
8 Jul 08
Well.. when i get sick i don't feel or i am not in a position to do any work.. i just want to sleep and take some rest. i actually have bath everyday in the morning. but sometimes when i fall sick i don't take bath. but if i feel OK then wouldn't stop from taking bath. Yes! if my mom insists me.. then i take bath.
@robert19ph (4577)
• Philippines
8 Jul 08
Hello venkygec,
Looks like mom wins. She maybe can't stand up your smell anymore and your look.
@mayonaka1616 (555)
• Philippines
8 Jul 08
i don't take a bath when im really hot with fever. but i take a bath on the next day to become refreshed and to lower my temperature. i just dont make it long and i avoid wetting my back.
1 person likes this
@robert19ph (4577)
• Philippines
11 Jul 08
Hello mayonaka1616,
It's ok. You don't have to force your self to do it. It feel better when you are a bit better.
@mayonaka1616 (555)
• Philippines
8 Jul 08
i don't take a bath when i'm really hot with fever. but on the next day, i take a warm bath to make me feel refreshed and to lower my body temperature also.
@robert19ph (4577)
• Philippines
9 Jul 08
Hello mayonaka1616,
That's make sense. If you feel a lot better, taking a bath is really ok.
@rsa101 (37952)
• Philippines
8 Jul 08
Well it depends on the situation, there are times that I am not able to go up because I feel dizzy standing up then I would not dare forcing myself to take a bath. But if fever is pretty much lower and I can manage the dizziness its good to feel a little refreshed by a quick bath since with all the sweating from the meds you took. I am pretty sure that it is quite a sticky feeling you feel after that. That is why you will need to really take a bath.
1 person likes this
@robert19ph (4577)
• Philippines
8 Jul 08
Hello rsa101,
It is sure a sticky feeling. But you can feel that stickiness, when you are in pain, shivering and delirious with fever.
@kiran1978 (4134)
• Australia
9 Jul 08
Hope you feel better soon, you don't sound too good.
I love to take baths when I am sick, it helps relax me. I find baths are great especially if you have stomach pains or cramps it takes the pain away atleast while you are in the bath. Baths are also great in labour and to destress.
1 person likes this
@robert19ph (4577)
• Philippines
12 Jul 08
Hello kiran1978,
I do feel better now. Sorry, it took something time for me to response. I am still catching up with work. Looks like bathing have different effect on everyone.
@mian_26cutie (61)
• Philippines
8 Jul 08
Yeah, sometimes. It's also a way to release the heat inside our body. Sometimes,it could also cause a fever. But when i feel that i could a fever i'll always take a medicine,biogesic will do and then drink one cup of coffee to release perspiration, after that i would feel much better.
1 person likes this
@robert19ph (4577)
• Philippines
8 Jul 08
Hello mian_26cutie,
I never thought coffee will help in all of this. I'll take note of it. Thanks.
@ifglan (1152)
• China
8 Jul 08
hello,friend,i think it all depends the illness we got.For example if it is related to the body temperature,then avoid taking a bath,something like getting a cold or getting a fever,but if not related,then taking a bath will be better,we can always be healthier in that way.
@robert19ph (4577)
• Philippines
9 Jul 08
Hello ifglan,
Yes, you are correct about that. If depends on the sickness you have. I have like an operation, I think taking a bath is bad.
@angel_of_charm (4134)
• Philippines
7 Jul 08
yes i take a bath even when i'm sick..it makes me feel better and you are right it helps cool down the fever..i am sick right now actually..i am having a fever during nights..thing now is i don't drink medicines and pain reliever anymore..i'm taking too much medicine and i cant take more of it..
1 person likes this
@robert19ph (4577)
• Philippines
7 Jul 08
Hello angel_of_charm,
Please get well soon. I hope it is not serious. Water therapy is a good for your health.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
8 Jul 08
hi robert I always do that as its a proven way to reduceyour temp and help your antibiotics to work too, a nice warm shower
really does wonders for you then some bed rest and some hot chicken soup that should do the trick. I have found that cold water often does not help as wellas a warm shower does and it really sortof shocks your body too much,ehile the warm shower does not. lol.
1 person likes this
@robert19ph (4577)
• Philippines
8 Jul 08
Hello Hatley,
I'll take note of that. I am using room temperature water.
I am using room temperature water.
@robert19ph (4577)
• Philippines
7 Jul 08
Hello cbreeze,
That's new to me. I mights feel like you are in a sauna.
@lanyoublue2008 (882)
• China
8 Jul 08
When I have a fever, I think shower with hot water is better than bath which help you recover quickly!
The bath is too slow to let the fever higher again,I think!
@robert19ph (4577)
• Philippines
8 Jul 08
Hello lanyoublue2008,
Most likely the warm water, too hot might skin you off, is better.
@magojordan (3252)
• Philippines
8 Jul 08
When I really feel sick I take sponge baths instead since we don't have a heater at home and heating water is a very gruesome task for someone who is sick. If I would feel better I just take short showers to avoid a relapse.
@robert19ph (4577)
• Philippines
8 Jul 08
Hello magojordan,
A room temperature water well do. Are you alone in your home? It's really bad to get sick with no one taking care of you.
@Wolfechu (1193)
• United States
7 Jul 08
Well, one tip if you can find them for tonsils; Soluble paracetamol (or acetaminophen/tylenol, depending which country you're in). Dissolve them in cold water and gargle with it. Firstly, you get the painkilling aspect from them as usual, secondly they work as an anti-pyretic and bring your temperature down, and thirdly, they act directly on the area affected.
1 person likes this
@robert19ph (4577)
• Philippines
7 Jul 08
Hello Wolfechu,
I'll remember it next time. I'll check if we have some soluble type of paracetamol.
