fever may be a good thing. it helps the body fight off infection by suppressing the growth of bacteria and viruses and activating the immune system. doctors no longer recommend suppressing fever for most people except perhaps for the very young the very old and those with certain medical conditions such as heart disease or lung disease. however if you are uncomfortable then it's fine to take these medications. young people (including those in their early 20s) however should avoid aspirin. tylenol or other medicines with acetaminophen and advil or other medicines with ibuprofen are best. each type of medicine has its own set of risks so check with your doctor or pharmacist as to which type of pain reliever or fever reducer is best for you. be careful not to overdose! these drugs are often mixed in with cough and cold and flu remedies. read the labels and don't take a separate pain remedy if your cough or cold medicine includes it. if you are unsure about the ingredients talk to your pharmacist before taking the medicine.
what should i take for fever and aches?