Cold & Allergyfārè

Fever

Also called:FeverHigh temperaturePyrexia

From the TCM perspective: TCM 'fa re'; divided into external contraction and internal injury.

Overview

Fever is elevated body temperature or a subjective sensation of heat. The Suwen 'Treatise on Heat' states that heat diseases belong to the category of cold damage. TCM distinguishes externally-contracted fever (wind-cold, wind-heat, interior heat) from internal-injury fever such as yin-deficiency fever, based on pattern, course and accompanying signs.

☯Common patterns (syndrome differentiation)

Wind-cold exterior pattern

Key distinguishing signs: Marked chills, mild fever, no sweat, headache and body ache, clear nasal discharge, thin white coat, floating tight pulse.
Treatment principle: Release the exterior with warm-acrid method

Wind-heat exterior pattern

Key distinguishing signs: Prominent fever, mild wind aversion, sweating, sore dry throat, yellow discharge, red tongue tip, thin yellow coat, floating rapid pulse.
Treatment principle: Release with cool-acrid method and clear heat

Exuberant interior heat

Key distinguishing signs: High fever with aversion to heat rather than cold, red face, thirst, profuse sweat, agitation or confusion, constipation, dark urine, red tongue with yellow coat, surging rapid pulse.
Treatment principle: Clear heat, generate fluids and drain fire

Yin-deficiency fever

Key distinguishing signs: Afternoon or evening tidal heat, heat in palms/soles, night sweats, thin build, dry mouth, red tongue with little coat, fine rapid pulse.
Treatment principle: Nourish yin and clear heat

Daily self-care

Rest and hydrate, dress appropriately and ventilate the room; monitor and record temperature and accompanying symptoms.
Do not use antipyretics or antibiotics blindly; for high fever with discomfort, age-appropriate labeled fever care is reasonable.
During infectious fever eat lightly; recurrent low-grade fever needs investigation (infection, immune, endocrine).

When to seek medical help

The following warning signs require prompt medical evaluation — do not rely on self-treatment:

Temperature ≥40°C (104°F), persistent high fever, or fever with seizure, confusion, rash or breathlessness: urgent care.
Any fever in an infant under 3 months, or a child who is lethargic, repeatedly vomiting or dehydrated: emergency now.
Fever over three days, fever in pregnancy, or with immune suppression or serious underlying disease: prompt evaluation.

Medical disclaimer: Educational content about traditional Chinese medicine for information only; it is not a diagnosis or treatment and does not replace a qualified clinician. If symptoms worsen or warning signs appear, seek medical care.

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