Can You Do An Infrared Sauna With A Fever?

An infrared sauna is not recommended if you have a fever. During the sickness, your body already experiences high temperature. Sauna can increase it, dehydrate your body, and cause heat stress. The heat generated in the Sauna can worsen the fever. Without a hurry, the safe option is to wait until your fever has diminished before you use the Sauna.

Is it Safe to Go to Sauna with a Fever?

Due to the threat of further overheating, sauna sessions are considered unsafe for feverish individuals. It can lead to potential health hazards, such as severe dehydration. These conditions indicate that your cardiovascular system bears extra stress, which can influence the risk of physical complications. 

In Franklin, Tennessee, people seeking health benefits and relaxation go to infrared sauna studios. If you are one of those individuals, remember that each sauna session must be safe and enjoyable. Prioritize your well-being and go for a sauna when your body is at a normal temperature.

Risks Of Saunas With A Fever

If you have a fever, using an infrared sauna comes with some risks. Here are the reasons why infrared sauna and fever go against each other.

1. Dehydration:

Fever itself causes dehydration and excessive sweating. Similarly, a sauna session also induces fluid and electrolyte loss. It is now easier to understand what may happen if you combine both. If you go to the sauna with a fever, you are at a high risk for further dehydration. It can worsen the fever symptoms and put extra pressure on your kidneys.

2. Heat Stress:

Having a fever means your immune system is fighting against infections by raising the body temperature. That’s why an infrared sauna may not be a good idea, as it will add further strain to your cardiovascular system and body functions. A feverish person can experience increased heart rate and blood pressure after sauna. In severe cases, heart failure can also occur.

3. Dizziness and Fainting:

Vasodilation is a mechanism that involves the widening of blood vessels and the lowering of blood pressure. The temperature of a sauna room can trigger the condition, and it can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and even fainting. An individual with a fever can also face severe symptoms in a hot environment like a sauna.

4. Worsening Fever:

Fever is an uncomfortable feeling due to excessive body temperature. The advised action for treating fever is to cool down your body. But the sauna will do the opposite. It will increase the body temperature, prolonging your illness and discomfort.

Sauna with a Fever: Safety Tips in a Nutshell

Though saunas are discouraged when you have a fever, some people use them even when feverish. Here are some safety tips you must follow if you decide to go for a sauna with a fever. 

Hydration

We lose electrolytes during sauna sessions. So, refilling the lost electrolytes is crucial. You must keep your body hydrated before, during, and after the sauna session. Water is the simplest and the best liquid for our body's rehydration. You can swallow sports drinks, coconut water, and diluted fruit juices for more electrolyte support.

Take it easy

Your body fights hard during a fever. So, do not put additional pressure on it when you are sick. During fever, your sauna session should be shorter (5 to 10 minutes). Or, you should take a session only if you feel well.   

Know when to quit

Saunas are excellent for health but not a cure for a fever. Listening to your body carefully is crucial in such a situation because it knows best. If you feel dizzy or nauseous during the session, stop sauna immediately. Instead, prioritize rest and recovery over the sauna when you are feverish.

Taking a sauna when you have a fever is strongly discouraged. It can make you experience excessive body temperature and discomfort. Besides, you may notice moderate to severe health conditions during and after the sauna session. When you have a fever, try to cool down your body rather than increase its temperature. For the best medical advice, contact a doctor or health expert who can help you decide.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can a sauna cause fever?

Infrared saunas raise body temperature temporarily. However, it is not fever. Your body temperature will return to normal after a while.

2. Should I stay in a hot room if I have a fever?

You should avoid hot rooms when you have a fever. It can worsen the condition.

3. Is it okay to go to the sauna when you are sick?

It depends on the type of your sickness. Generally, you should avoid sauna when you are severely ill.