Saunas offer a relaxing escape and are often associated with various health benefits. Many people consider using a sauna for general wellness or to unwind from daily stress. However, when experiencing a fever, the body is already under considerable strain, leading to questions about the safety of combining sauna use with illness.
How Saunas Impact the Body
Saunas are heated rooms, typically ranging from 158°F to 212°F (70°C to 100°C), designed to induce sweating. The heat causes the skin temperature to rise, often reaching around 104°F (40°C), which in turn prompts heavy sweating, a process that helps the body regulate its temperature. As the body works to cool itself, the heart rate increases, similar to the effects of low to moderate exercise, potentially reaching 100-150 beats per minute. This increased heart rate widens blood vessels and improves circulation throughout the body. While the skin temperature rises significantly, the internal core body temperature typically increases by only 1-2°C.
Risks of Combining Sauna and Fever
Using a sauna when you have a fever can pose several health risks. A fever indicates your body is actively fighting an infection, and introducing additional heat can worsen your condition.
Exacerbated Dehydration
Both a fever and a sauna cause the body to lose fluids through sweating. Entering a sauna intensifies fluid loss, with a short session potentially resulting in the loss of about a pint of sweat. This rapid and excessive fluid depletion can lead to severe dehydration, making symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and headaches worse, and can impair the body’s ability to cool itself effectively.
Increased Body Temperature
A sauna can dangerously elevate an already high body temperature, potentially leading to hyperthermia. While saunas induce a temporary, artificial fever that some believe can combat infections by creating an inhospitable environment for viruses and bacteria, a natural fever is a specific immune response. This additional heat stress can intensify fever symptoms and potentially lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, especially if you are already unwell.
Cardiovascular Strain
Both a fever and sauna use place stress on the heart. During a fever, the heart works harder to circulate blood and regulate body temperature. Combining these two stressors can significantly increase the burden on the cardiovascular system, potentially overwhelming your body. This increased strain can elevate the risk of complications, particularly for individuals with underlying heart conditions, and in severe cases, it could even lead to myocarditis or arrhythmia.
Impaired Immune Response
While regular sauna use may support the immune system by increasing white blood cell production, adding this stress during an active infection might hinder your body’s ability to fight off the illness. Introducing the additional physiological stress of a sauna could divert resources, potentially prolonging recovery or worsening symptoms rather than aiding the immune response.
Safe Practices During a Fever
When experiencing a fever, prioritizing rest and hydration is paramount for recovery. It is generally advisable to avoid saunas until your fever has subsided and you feel fully recovered. Instead, focus on drinking plenty of fluids, such as water, electrolyte solutions, or broth, to prevent dehydration. Over-the-counter fever reducers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help manage discomfort and lower your temperature, but always follow dosage guidelines. To help alleviate discomfort, cool compresses applied to the forehead, neck, and wrists can offer relief; lukewarm baths can also help lower body temperature and provide comfort, especially for children, but avoid cold baths or showers, as they can cause shivering. If your fever is high, persistent, or accompanied by severe symptoms like a stiff neck, confusion, or repeated vomiting, it is important to seek medical advice.