I used to not take anything for fevers until I contracted H1N1 (swine flu). The doctor told me that my body was so exhausted from the pain (the sore throat was like nothing I’d ever experienced — like I’d swallowed a razor!) that my body didn’t have the energy to fight the illness. She recommended alternating paracetamol (acetaminophen) and ibuprofen. (Our doctors don’t work on commission — they’re pretty reluctant to prescribe anything at all.)

If you choose to only take paracetamol, or nothing at all, that’s fine — but the important thing is to follow the advice of medical professionals. Grandma might have known that chicken soup is good for you, but Grandma might also have told you to put butter on burns (dangerous!).