Does body temperature rise. Increased human body temperature. High temperature in a child

About ways to measure body temperature

It would seem that there is nothing complicated in measuring body temperature. If you don’t have a thermometer at hand, you can touch the sick person’s forehead with your lips, but errors often occur here; this method will not allow you to accurately determine the temperature.

Another more accurate technique is pulse counting. An increase in temperature of 1 degree leads to an increase in heart rate of 10 beats per minute. Thus, you can roughly calculate how much your temperature has increased, knowing your normal heart rate. Fever is also indicated by an increase in the frequency of respiratory movements. Normally, children take approximately 25 breaths per minute, and adults take up to 15 breaths.

Measuring body temperature with a thermometer is carried out not only in the armpit, but also orally or rectally (holding the thermometer in the mouth or anus). For young children, a thermometer is sometimes placed in the groin fold. There are a number of rules that should be followed when measuring temperature to avoid getting a false result.

• The skin at the measurement site should be dry.
• During the measurement, you cannot make any movements, it is advisable not to talk.
• When measuring the temperature in the armpit, the thermometer should be held for about 3 minutes (the norm is 36.2 - 37.0 degrees).
• If you use the oral method, then the thermometer should be held for 1.5 minutes (the normal value is 36.6 - 37.2 degrees).
• When measuring the temperature in the anus, it is enough to hold the thermometer for one minute (the norm with this method is 36.8 - 37.6 degrees)

Normal and pathological: when is it time to “bring down” the temperature?

It is generally accepted that the normal body temperature is 36.6 degrees, however, as you can see, this is quite relative. The temperature can reach 37.0 degrees and is considered normal; it usually rises to such levels in the evening or in the hot season, after physical activity. Therefore, if before going to bed you saw the number 37.0 on the thermometer, then there is nothing to worry about yet. When the temperature exceeds this limit, we can already talk about fever. It is also characterized by a feeling of heat or chills, redness of the skin.

When should you lower your temperature?

Doctors at our clinic recommend using antipyretics when the body temperature in children reaches 38.5 degrees, and in adults – 39.0 degrees. But even in these cases, you should not take a large dose of an antipyretic; it is enough to reduce the temperature by 1.0 - 1.5 degrees so that the effective fight against infection continues without a threat to the body.

A dangerous sign of fever is the paleness of the skin, its “marbling”, while the skin remains cold to the touch. This indicates spasm of peripheral vessels. This phenomenon is usually more common in children and is followed by seizures. In such cases, it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance.

Infectious fever

With bacterial or viral infections, the temperature almost always rises. How much it increases depends, firstly, on the amount of the pathogen, and secondly, on the state of the person’s body. For example, in older people, even an acute infection may be accompanied by a slight increase in temperature.

It is curious that with various infectious diseases, body temperature can behave differently: rise in the morning and fall in the evening, increase by a certain number of degrees and decrease after a few days. Depending on this, different types of fevers were identified - perverted, relapsing and others. For doctors, this is a very valuable diagnostic criterion, since the type of fever makes it possible to narrow down the range of suspected diseases. Therefore, during infection, the temperature should be measured in the morning and evening, preferably during the day.

What infections increase the temperature?

Usually, during an acute infection, a sharp temperature jump occurs, and general signs of intoxication occur: weakness, dizziness or nausea.

1. If the fever is accompanied by a cough, sore throat or chest, difficulty breathing, or hoarseness, then we are talking about a respiratory infectious disease.
2. If the body temperature rises, and along with it diarrhea begins, nausea or vomiting, and abdominal pain occur, then there is virtually no doubt that this is an intestinal infection.
3. A third option is also possible, when, against the background of fever, a sore throat, redness of the pharyngeal mucosa occurs, sometimes a cough and runny nose are noted, as well as abdominal pain and diarrhea. In this case, rotavirus infection or the so-called “intestinal flu” should be suspected. But for any symptoms, it is better to seek help from our doctors.
4. Sometimes a local infection in an area of ​​the body can cause a fever. For example, fever is often accompanied by carbuncles, abscesses or cellulitis. It also occurs with (, kidney carbuncle). Only in the case of acute fever almost never occurs, because the absorption capacity of the bladder mucosa is minimal, and substances that cause an increase in temperature practically do not penetrate into the blood.

Sluggish chronic infectious processes in the body can also cause fever, especially during the period of exacerbation. However, a slight increase in temperature is often observed during normal times, when there are practically no other obvious symptoms of the disease.

When does the temperature still rise?

1. An unexplained increase in body temperature is noted when oncological diseases. This usually becomes one of the first symptoms, along with weakness, apathy, loss of appetite, sudden weight loss and depressive mood. In such cases, the elevated temperature lasts a long time, but remains febrile, that is, it does not exceed 38.5 degrees. As a rule, with tumors the fever is wavy. Body temperature slowly increases, and upon reaching its peak, it also slowly decreases. Then there comes a period when the temperature remains normal, and then it begins to rise again.
2. At lymphogranulomatosis or Hodgkin's disease Undulating fever is also common, although other types may occur. An increase in temperature in this case is accompanied by chills, and when it decreases, heavy sweat occurs. Increased sweating is usually observed at night. Along with this, Hodgkin's disease manifests itself as enlarged lymph nodes, and sometimes there is skin itching.
3. Body temperature rises when acute leukemia. It is often confused with a sore throat, since there is pain when swallowing, a feeling of palpitations, enlarged lymph nodes, and often increased bleeding (hematomas appear on the skin). But even before the appearance of these symptoms, patients note a sharp and unmotivated weakness. It is noteworthy that antibacterial therapy does not give positive results, that is, the temperature does not decrease.
4. Fever may also indicate endocrine diseases. For example, it almost always appears with thyrotoxicosis. In this case, the body temperature usually remains subfebrile, that is, it does not rise above 37.5 degrees, although during periods of exacerbations (crises) a significant excess of this limit can be observed. In addition to fever, thyrotoxicosis is associated with mood swings, tearfulness, increased excitability, insomnia, sudden loss of body weight due to increased appetite, trembling of the tip of the tongue and fingers, and menstrual irregularities in women. With hyperfunction of the parathyroid glands, the temperature can increase to 38 - 39 degrees. In the case of hyperparathyroidism, patients complain of severe thirst, frequent urge to urinate, nausea, drowsiness, and itchy skin.
5. Particular attention should be paid to fever that appears several weeks after respiratory illnesses (most often after a sore throat), since it may indicate the development of rheumatic myocarditis. Usually the body temperature rises slightly - up to 37.0 - 37.5 degrees, however, such a fever is a very serious reason to contact our doctor. In addition, body temperature may increase when endocarditis or, but in this case, the main attention is not paid to the pain in the chest, which cannot be relieved with available analgesics.
6. Interestingly, the temperature often rises when peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum, although it also does not exceed 37.5 degrees. The fever gets worse if it occurs internal bleeding. Its symptoms are sharp, stabbing pains, vomiting “coffee grounds” or tarry stool, as well as sudden and increasing weakness.
7. Cerebral disorders(, traumatic brain injuries or brain tumors) provoke an increase in temperature, irritating the center of its regulation in the brain. Fever can be very different.
8. Drug fever most often occurs in response to the use of antibiotics and some other drugs, and it is part of an allergic reaction, therefore it is usually accompanied by itchy skin and rashes.

What to do at elevated temperatures?

Many, having discovered that they have an elevated temperature, immediately try to reduce it, using antipyretic drugs available to everyone. However, their thoughtless use can cause even more harm than the fever itself, because elevated temperature is not a disease, but just a symptom, so suppressing it without identifying the cause is not always correct.

This is especially true for infectious diseases, when infectious agents must die under conditions of elevated temperature. If you try to lower the temperature, the infectious agents will remain alive and unharmed in the body.

Therefore, do not rush to run for pills, but lower your temperature wisely when the need arises, our specialists will help you with this. If fever has been bothering you for a long time, you should contact one of our doctors: as you can see, it can indicate many non-infectious diseases, so additional research is necessary.

To assess the condition of a person with a high temperature, let's find out why this happens to the body.

Normal body temperature

The normal human temperature is on average 36.6 C. This temperature is optimal for the biochemical processes occurring in the body, but each organism is individual, so it is possible to consider a temperature from 36 to 37.4 C normal for some individuals (we are talking about a long-term condition and in if there are no symptoms of any disease). In order to make a diagnosis of habitually elevated temperature, you need to be examined by a doctor.

Why does body temperature rise

In all other situations, an increase in body temperature above normal indicates that the body is trying to fight something. In most cases, these are foreign agents in the body - bacteria, viruses, protozoa, or a consequence of physical impact on the body (burn, frostbite, foreign body). At elevated temperatures, the existence of agents in the body becomes difficult; infections, for example, die at a temperature of about 38 C.

But any organism, like a mechanism, is not perfect and can malfunction. In the case of fever, we can observe this when the body, due to the individual characteristics of the immune system, reacts too violently to various infections, and the temperature rises too high, for most people it is 38.5 C. But again, for children and adults who had early febrile convulsions at high temperatures (if you don’t know, ask your parents or your doctor, but usually this is not forgotten, as it is accompanied by a short-term loss of consciousness) a critical temperature can be considered 37.5-38 C.

Complications of elevated temperature

When the temperature is too high, disturbances occur in the transmission of nerve impulses, and this can lead to irreversible consequences in the cerebral cortex and subcortical structures, including respiratory arrest. In all cases of critically high temperature, antipyretic drugs are taken. All of them affect the thermoregulation center in the subcortical structures of the brain. Auxiliary methods, and this is primarily wiping the surface of the body with warm water, is aimed at increasing blood flow on the surface of the body and promoting the evaporation of moisture, which leads to a temporary and not very significant decrease in temperature. Wiping with a weak solution of vinegar at the present stage, after research has been carried out, is considered inappropriate since it has exactly the same results as just warm water.

A prolonged increase in temperature (more than two weeks), despite the degree of increase, requires examination of the body. During which the cause should be clarified or a diagnosis of habitually low-grade fever should be made. Be patient and contact several doctors with the results of the examination. If the results of tests and examinations do not reveal any pathology, do not measure your temperature again without showing any symptoms, otherwise you risk developing psychosomatic diseases. A good doctor should answer you exactly why you constantly have a low-grade fever (37-37.4) and whether anything needs to be done. There are a great many reasons for a long-term elevated temperature, and if you are not a doctor, do not even try to diagnose yourself, and it is impractical to occupy your head with information that you do not need at all.

How to measure temperature correctly.

In our country, probably more than 90% of people measure their body temperature in the armpit.

The armpit should be dry. Measurements are taken in a calm state 1 hour after any physical activity. It is not recommended to drink hot tea, coffee, etc. before taking measurements.

All this is recommended when clarifying the existence of a long-term high temperature. In emergency cases, when there are complaints of poor health, measurements are taken under any conditions. Mercury, alcohol, and electronic thermometers are used. If you have doubts about the correctness of the measurements, measure the temperature of healthy people and take another thermometer.

When measuring the temperature in the rectum, a temperature of 37 degrees C should be considered normal. Women should consider their menstrual cycle. It is normal for the temperature in the rectum to rise to 38 degrees C during the period of ovulation, which is days 15-25 of a 28-day cycle.

I consider measuring in the oral cavity inappropriate.

Recently, ear thermometers have appeared on sale and are considered the most accurate. When measuring in the ear canal, the norm is the same as when measuring in the armpit. But young children usually react nervously to the procedure.

The following conditions require calling an ambulance:

A. In any case, at a temperature of 39.5 and above.

b.High temperature is accompanied by vomiting, blurred vision, stiffness of movements, muscle tension in the cervical spine (it is impossible to tilt the chin to the sternum).

V. High temperature is accompanied by severe abdominal pain. Especially in the elderly, even with moderate abdominal pain or fever, I advise you to call an ambulance.

d. In a child under ten years of age, the temperature is accompanied by a barking, dry cough, and difficulty breathing. There is a high probability of developing inflammatory narrowing of the larynx, the so-called laryngotracheitis or false croup. The algorithm of action in this case is to humidify the inhaled air, trying not to scare, calming, take the child to the bathroom, pour hot water to produce steam, inhale humidified, but of course not hot air, so being at least 70 centimeters from hot water. If there is no bathroom, an improvised tent with a source of steam. But if the child still gets scared and does not calm down, then stop trying and just wait for an ambulance.

d. A sharp rise in temperature over 1-2 hours above 38 degrees C in a child under 6 years of age who has previously experienced convulsions at high temperatures.
The algorithm of action is to give an antipyretic (dosages must be agreed in advance with the pediatrician or see below), call an ambulance.

In what cases should you take an antipyretic drug to reduce body temperature:

A. Body temperature is above 38.5 degrees. C (if there is a history of febrile convulsions, then at a temperature of 37.5 degrees C).

b At a temperature below the above figures only in the case of severe symptoms in the form of a headache, a feeling of aches throughout the body, and general weakness. significantly interferes with sleep and rest.

In all other cases, you need to allow the body to take advantage of the increased temperature, helping it remove the so-called infection-fighting products. (dead leukocytes, macrophages, remnants of bacteria and viruses in the form of toxins).

I will give you my preferred herbal folk remedies.

Folk remedies for fever

A. In first place are fruit drinks with cranberries - take as much as your body requires.
b. Fruit drinks from currants, sea buckthorn, lingonberries.
V. Any alkaline mineral water with a low percentage of mineralization or just clean boiled water.

The following plants are contraindicated for use at elevated body temperatures: St. John's wort, golden root (Rhodiola rosea).

In any case, if the temperature rises for more than five days, I recommend consulting a doctor.

A. The onset of the disease, when did the elevated temperature appear and can you associate its appearance with anything? (hypothermia, increased physical activity, emotional stress).

b. Have you had any contact with people with fever in the next two weeks?

V. Have you had any illness with fever in the next two months? (remember, you may have suffered some kind of ailment “on your feet”).

d. Have you had a tick bite this season? (it is appropriate to remember even the contact of a tick with the skin without a bite).

d. It is very important to remember if you live in endemic areas for hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), and these are areas of the Far East, Siberia, the Urals, the Volgovyat region, whether you had contact with rodents or their waste products. First of all, fresh excrement is dangerous, since the virus is contained in it for a week. The latent period of this disease is from 7 days to 1.5 months.

e. Indicate the nature of the manifestation of increased body temperature (absorbent, constant, or with a gradual increase at a certain time of the day).

h. Check whether you received vaccinations within two weeks.

and. Tell your doctor clearly what other symptoms accompany high body temperature. (catarrhal - cough, runny nose, pain or sore throat, etc., dyspeptic - nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loose stools, etc.)
All this will allow the doctor to prescribe examinations and treatment in a more targeted and timely manner.

Over-the-counter medications used to reduce body temperature.

1. paracetamol in various names. Single dosage for adults: 0.5-1 g. daily up to 2 g. the period between doses is at least 4 hours, for children 15 mg per kilogram of the child’s weight (for information, 1 gram is 1000 mg). For example, a child weighing 10 kg requires 150 mg - in practice, this is a little more than half a tablet of 0.25 grams. It is available both in tablets of 0.5 g and 0.25 g, and in syrups and rectal suppositories. Can be used from infancy. Paracetamol is included in almost all combined cold medications (Fervex, Theraflu, Coldrex).
For infants, it is better to use it in rectal suppositories.

2. Nurofen (ibuprofen) adult dosage 0.4g. , children's 0.2 g Recommended for children with caution; used in children with intolerance or weak effect of paracetamol.

3. nise (nimesulide) is available in both powders (nimesil) and tablets. The adult dosage is 0.1 g...for children 1.5 milligrams per kilogram of the child’s weight, that is, with a weight of 10 kg, 15 mg is required. A little more than one tenth of a tablet. Daily dosage no more than 3 times a day

4. Analgin - adult 0.5 g...children 5-10 mg per kg of child’s weight That is, with 10 kg of weight, a maximum of 100 mg is required - this is a fifth of the tablet. Daily allowance up to three times a day. Not recommended for frequent use by children.

5. Aspirin - adult single dosage 0.5-1 g. Daily dose up to four times a day, contraindicated for children.

At elevated temperatures, all physiotherapy, water treatments, mud therapy, and massage are canceled.

Diseases that occur with a very high (above 39 degrees C) temperature.

Influenza is a viral disease accompanied by a sharp rise in temperature, severe joint aches and muscle pain. Catarrhal symptoms (runny nose, cough, sore throat, etc.) appear on the 3rd-4th day of illness, and with a normal ARVI, first the symptoms of a cold, then a gradual rise in temperature.

Sore throat – severe pain in the throat when swallowing and at rest.

Varicella (chickenpox), measles They can also begin with a high temperature and only on days 2-4 the appearance of a rash in the form of vesicles (bubbles filled with liquid).

Pneumonia (lung inflammation) Almost always, except for patients with reduced immunity and the elderly, it is accompanied by high fever. A distinctive feature is the appearance of pain in the chest, which intensifies with deep breathing, shortness of breath, and a dry cough at the beginning of the disease. All these symptoms are in most cases accompanied by a feeling of anxiety and fear.

Acute pyelonephritis(inflammation of the kidneys), along with high temperature, pain in the projection of the kidneys comes to the fore (just below the 12th ribs, with irradiation (rebound) to the side, usually on one side. Swelling in the face, high blood pressure. The appearance of protein in urine tests.

Acute glomerulonephritis, the same as pyelonephritis only with the involvement of the pathological reaction of the immune system in the process. Characterized by the appearance of red blood cells in urine tests. Compared to pyelonephritis, it has a higher percentage of complications and is more prone to becoming chronic.

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome- an infectious disease transmitted from rodents, mainly from voles. It is characterized by a decrease, and sometimes a complete absence of urination in the first days of the disease, redness of the skin, and severe muscle pain.

Gastroenterocolitis(salmonellosis, dysentery, paratyphoid fever, typhoid fever, cholera, etc.) The main dyspeptic syndrome is nausea, vomiting, loose stools, abdominal pain.

Meningitis and encephalitis(including tick-borne) - inflammation of the meninges of an infectious nature. The main syndrome is meningeal - severe headaches, blurred vision, nausea, tension in the neck muscles (it is impossible to bring the chin to the chest). Meningitis is characterized by the appearance of pinpoint hemorrhagic rashes on the skin of the legs and the anterior wall of the abdomen.

Viral hepatitis A– the main symptom is “jaundice”, the skin and sclera become icteric in color.

Diseases occurring with moderately elevated body temperature (37-38 degrees C).

Exacerbations of chronic diseases such as:

Chronic bronchitis, complaints of cough, both dry and with sputum, shortness of breath.

Bronchial asthma of an infectious-allergic nature - complaints of nighttime, sometimes daytime attacks of lack of air.

Pulmonary tuberculosis, complaints of prolonged cough, severe general weakness, sometimes streaks of blood in the sputum.

Tuberculosis of other organs and tissues.

Chronic myocarditis, endocarditis, is characterized by prolonged pain in the heart area, arrhythmic uneven heartbeat

Chronic pyelonephritis.

chronic glomerulonephritis - the symptoms are the same as in acute ones, only less pronounced.

Chronic salpingoopharitis is a gynecological disease characterized by pain in the lower abdomen, discharge, and pain when urinating.

The following diseases occur with low-grade fever:

Viral hepatitis B and C, complaints of general weakness, joint pain, in the later stages “jaundice” occurs.

Diseases of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis, nodular and diffuse goiter, thyrotoxicosis) main symptoms are a feeling of a lump in the throat, rapid heartbeat, sweating, irritability.

Acute and chronic cystitis, complaints of painful urination.

Acute and exacerbation of chronic prostatitis, a male disease characterized by difficult and often painful urination.

Sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea, syphilis, as well as opportunistic (may not manifest as a disease) urogenital infections - toxoplasmosis, mycoplasmosis, ureoplasmosis.

A large group of cancer diseases, one of the symptoms of which may be a slightly elevated temperature.

Basic tests and examinations that can be prescribed by a doctor if you have a long-term low-grade fever (increased body temperature within 37-38 degrees C).

1. Complete blood test - allows you to judge by the number of leukocytes and the value of ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) whether there is any inflammation in the body. The amount of hemoglobin can indirectly indicate the presence of gastrointestinal diseases.

2. A complete urine test indicates the condition of the urinary system. First of all, the number of leukocytes, red blood cells and protein in the urine, as well as specific gravity.

3. Biochemical blood test (blood from a vein):. CRP and rheumatoid factor - their presence often indicates hyperactivity of the body's immune system and manifests itself in rheumatic diseases. Liver tests can diagnose hepatitis.

4. Markers of hepatitis B and C are prescribed to exclude corresponding viral hepatitis.

5. HIV- to exclude acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

6. Blood test for RV - to detect syphilis.

7. Mantoux reaction, respectively, tuberculosis.

8. A stool test is prescribed for suspected diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and helminthic infestation. Positive occult blood in the analysis is a very important diagnostic sign.

9. A blood test for thyroid hormones should be done after consulting an endocrinologist and examining the thyroid gland.

10. Fluorography – even without diseases, it is recommended to undergo it once every two years. It is possible to prescribe FLG by a doctor if pneumonia, pleurisy, bronchitis, tuberculosis, or lung cancer are suspected. Modern digital fluorographs make it possible to make a diagnosis without resorting to extensive radiography. Accordingly, a low dose of X-ray radiation is used and only in unclear cases additional examinations with an X-ray and tomograph are required. Magnetic resonance imaging is considered the most accurate.

11 Ultrasound of internal organs and the thyroid gland is performed to diagnose diseases of the kidneys, liver, pelvic organs, and thyroid gland.

12 ECG, ECHO KG, to exclude myocarditis, pericarditis, endocarditis.

Tests and examinations are prescribed by the doctor selectively, based on clinical need.

Therapist - Shutov A.I.

Heat– a typical symptom in many diseases. It is by focusing on temperature that we often determine whether a person is sick or not. But this is not entirely correct, because temperature is only a manifestation of the disease, and not the disease itself. Therefore, bringing down the temperature does not mean recovery. It is necessary not only to fight high fever, but to determine what disease caused it and treat it. And for this you need to see a doctor.

Signs of a high fever

The following signs (symptoms) may indicate that the temperature is rising:

• , sudden fatigue, general painful condition;
• chills (mild chills at slightly elevated temperatures and severe chills at high temperatures);
• dry skin and lips;
• , body aches;
• loss of appetite;
• sweating (“breaks into a sweat”);

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it would be a good idea to take a thermometer.

What is considered a high temperature?

Normal temperature is generally considered to be 36.6°C. But in fact, temperatures within a fairly wide range are normal.

During the day, body temperature fluctuates quite a bit. The lowest temperature is observed in the morning, immediately after waking up; maximum - in the evening, at the end of the day. The difference can be somewhere around 0.5°C. Physical activity, stress, ordinary meals, drinking alcohol, staying in a bathhouse or on the beach can raise the temperature. In women, temperature fluctuations are also associated with ovulation. A few days before ovulation, the temperature decreases, and when ovulation occurs, it increases.

On average, a normal temperature is considered to be between 35° and 37°C. In children under 3 years of age, a temperature of up to 37.5°C is also considered normal. Where you take your temperature matters. You can focus on 36.6°C if you place a thermometer under your arm. If the thermometer is held in the mouth ( oral temperature), then the normal temperature will be 0.5°C higher (36.8-37.3°C). In order to obtain normal values ​​when measuring temperature in the rectum ( rectal temperature), you will need to add another half a degree (the norm is 37.3-37.7°C). Based on the measurement of the temperature under the arm, an elevated temperature is a temperature in the range of 37-38°C, a high temperature is above 38°C.

A temperature that rises above 38°C or a temperature of up to 38°C that persists for a long time is cause for concern ( low-grade fever).

When is an increase in temperature dangerous?

High body temperature is an undoubted sign that some pathological process, usually of an inflammatory nature, is developing in the body. The higher the temperature, the faster it rises or the longer it lasts, the more serious the problem that caused it may be. This is why high temperatures are scary.

Meanwhile, in itself, an increase in temperature in most cases is a protective reaction to the penetration of infection. At high temperatures, the activity of pathogenic microorganisms decreases, and the body’s defenses, on the contrary, intensify: metabolism and blood circulation accelerate, and antibodies are released faster. But this increases the load on many organs and systems: cardiovascular, respiratory. High temperature depresses the nervous system and leads to dehydration. Possible circulatory disorders in internal organs (due to increased viscosity and blood clotting). Therefore, a high temperature that lasts for a long time can pose a danger in itself. Extremely high temperatures (above 41°C) are also dangerous.

Should I lower the temperature or not?

There is no need to rush to lower the temperature. First of all, the patient must be examined by a doctor. You should follow the doctor’s recommendations: if he advises you to lower your temperature, then you should lower it. The doctor makes decisions based on the general picture of the disease and assessment of the patient’s condition, that is, recommendations are always individual.

However, if the patient has a severe fever and the temperature is high (39°C or higher), then he can be given an antipyretic drug, strictly following the instructions on the package. At the same time, you need to understand that you are fighting a symptom, not a disease.

The correct course of treatment involves identifying the cause of the high temperature and carrying out a set of measures aimed at treating the disease that caused its increase.

Causes of high temperature

Any inflammatory process can cause an increase in temperature. The nature of inflammation can be different - bacterial, viral, fungal. In most cases, the temperature is a concomitant symptom: for example, with otitis media, the ear hurts (“twitches”) and the temperature is elevated...

Temperature attracts special attention when no other symptoms are observed. Temperature against the background of standard signs of ARVI is ordinary, but only one high temperature is frightening.

Diseases that may cause a high fever without other symptoms:

chronic diseases of the urinary system (chronic,), in women -. Along with low-grade fever, abdominal pain and urination problems may occur;

chronic myocarditis and endocarditis. In this case, the usual symptom is pain in the heart area;

autoimmune diseases (rheumatism, systemic lupus erythematosus, etc.).

This, of course, is not a complete list of diseases that can cause fever

High temperature in a child

The child will not say that he has a high temperature. Even relatively older children, including students in elementary school, as a rule, cannot correctly assess their well-being. Therefore, parents need to closely monitor the child’s condition. You can suspect an increase in temperature based on the following signs:

• the child becomes unexpectedly lethargic or, conversely, restless and capricious;
• he is tormented by thirst (he asks for a drink all the time);
• mucous membranes become dry (dry lips, tongue);
• bright blush or, conversely, unusual pallor;
• eyes become red or shiny;
• the child is sweating;
• pulse and breathing increase. The normal heart rate is 100-130 beats per minute while sleeping and 140-160 while awake. By two years, the frequency decreases to 100-140 beats per minute. The normal breathing rate also depends on age; for a two-month-old child it is 35-48 breaths per minute, for an age from one to three 28-35 breaths.

You can measure body temperature in the armpit or groin cavity with a mercury thermometer (it most accurately shows the temperature), rectally - only with an electronic one. It is possible to measure the temperature rectally only in a small child (up to 4-5 months); older children resist the procedure, as it is unpleasant. To measure the temperature rectally, the tip of the thermometer is lubricated with baby cream, the child’s legs rise, as if washing. The tip of the thermometer is inserted into the rectum to a depth of 2 cm.

We should not forget that in children under one year of age, a normal temperature is considered to be a temperature of up to 37.5°C, and even up to 3 years of age, such a temperature does not always mean that the child is sick. You cannot measure the temperature when the child is very worried, crying, or is tightly wrapped up - the temperature in these cases will be expected to be higher. A hot bath or too high a room temperature can also raise your body temperature.

In young children, the temperature can rise up to 38.3°C for reasons unrelated to illness, such as.

As a rule, high body temperature is considered a manifestation of a cold. However, this is only partly true.

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There is hardly a single person who has never had a fever. As a rule, it (high body temperature, fever, hyperthermia) is considered a manifestation of a cold. However, this is not always true.

The temperature, as a rule, rises under the influence of special substances - pyrogens. They can be produced either by our own immune cells or be waste products of various pathogens.

The exact role of hyperthermia in fighting infection has not yet been established. It is believed that at elevated body temperatures, protective reactions are activated in the body. But everything is good in moderation - if the thermometer shows 38-39 degrees Celsius, then the need of organs and tissues for oxygen and nutrients increases significantly, and, consequently, the load on the heart and lungs increases. Therefore, if the body temperature goes beyond 38 degrees, it is recommended to take antipyretic drugs, and if this same fever is poorly tolerated (tachycardia or shortness of breath occurs), then at a lower temperature.

Reasons for rising temperature

Frequent

If an increase in body temperature is accompanied by a runny nose, sore throat, or cough, questions about its cause probably will not arise. It is clear that you have become a victim of an acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI), and in the coming days you will have to lie under a blanket, armed with a handkerchief and hot tea.

While ARVI is the most common cause of fever in cold latitudes, in the southern countries the palm belongs to intestinal infections. With them, an increase in body temperature occurs against the background of typical gastrointestinal disorders - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and bloating.

Rare

Body temperature can increase significantly with an overdose or intolerance to certain medications (anaesthetics, psychostimulants, antidepressants, salicylates, etc.) and in case of poisoning with toxic substances (cocadinitrocresol, dinitrophenol, etc.) acting on the hypothalamus - the part of the brain where the temperature center is located. regulation. This condition is called malignant hyperthermia.

Sometimes it is caused by congenital or acquired diseases of the hypothalamus.

Banal

It happens that in the summer, after spending several hours in the sun, or in the winter, after steaming in a bathhouse, you feel a headache and aches throughout your body. The thermometer will show 37 degrees with tenths. In this case, fever indicates general overheating.

The best thing to do is take a cool shower and lie down in a well-ventilated area. If the temperature has not decreased in the evening or has exceeded 38 degrees Celsius, this indicates serious heat stroke. In this case, medical assistance is necessary.

Extraordinary

Sometimes fever is psychogenic, that is, it can arise from certain experiences and fears. Most often it occurs in children with an excitable nervous system after an infection. If this condition is detected, parents need to show their child to a pediatric psychoneurologist.

Dangerous

If, after hypothermia or an acute respiratory viral infection, shortness of breath appears, the temperature rises, and at night your underwear becomes wet from sweat, a visit to the doctor is necessary - most likely, you have “earned” pneumonia (pneumonia). The doctor’s phonendoscope and X-ray machine will clarify the diagnosis, and it is best to be treated in the pulmonology department of the hospital - pneumonia is not to be trifled with.

If, simultaneously with a rise in temperature, a sharp pain in the abdomen appears, do not delay calling the emergency medical service. In such a situation, there is a high probability of acute surgical disease (appendicitis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, etc.), and only timely surgery will help avoid disastrous consequences.

Exotic

Particular attention should be paid to fever that appears during or immediately after a visit to one of the warm countries. It may be the first sign indicating that you have caught some kind, for example, typhus, encephalitis, hemorrhagic fever. And the most common cause of fever among travelers is malaria - a serious but completely curable disease. The main thing is to contact an infectious disease specialist in time.

Prolonged fever

It happens that low-grade (37-38 degrees) fever lasts for weeks or even months. This condition requires careful diagnosis.

Fever of infectious nature

If prolonged fever is accompanied by enlarged lymph nodes, weight loss, and unstable stools, this may be a sign of dangerous diseases such as HIV infection or malignant neoplasm. Therefore, all patients with long-term fever are prescribed an HIV antibody test and a consultation with an oncologist - there is no such thing as excessive vigilance in relation to such diseases.

Fever of non-infectious nature

A prolonged rise in temperature also accompanies autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. However, fever is not the first thing such patients complain about.

It happens that the endocrine system is “responsible” for long-term fever. Most often, the thyroid gland is the culprit if it produces excessive amounts of hormones. This condition is called thyrotoxicosis, and in addition to elevated body temperature, it is characterized by weight loss, tachycardia, extrasystole, irritability and (over time) characteristic bulging eyes (exophthalmos). An endocrinologist will help you cope with this.

These are just the most common causes of hyperthermia, but the list could go on. So if you feel unwell, use a thermometer - perhaps it will help you find out about a health problem in time and take appropriate measures.

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