High temperature for several days in an adult. What to do if an adult has a high temperature? In what cases should you take an antipyretic drug to reduce body temperature?

Content

A sudden increase in temperature indicates that inflammatory processes are occurring in the human body. Often, heat simply reflects the course of certain processes or is a consequence of overheating of the body. Although, as a rule, such a symptom is associated with colds. If the mercury column has not risen very high, then you can lower the readings yourself, without consulting a doctor.

What is temperature

Heat – complex indicator thermal state of the body. Its increase (hyperthermia) or decrease (hypothermia) even by a few degrees disrupts the process of human life. This condition can cause the body to become overheated or cold. Flu and colds are common causes of elevated thermometer readings, especially in winter. Knowing how to lower an adult’s temperature and when it should be done can help get rid of an unpleasant symptom.

Temperature is the body's defense response to bacteria or viruses.. It appears in order to prevent the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms, and for the successful destruction of pests by the immune system. Reducing the temperature is necessary only when indicated. If the numbers on the thermometer do not exceed 38.5 °C, the person’s health is satisfactory and there are no chronic serious illnesses, you can get by with folk remedies and let the body fight the infection on its own.

When to lower an adult's temperature

The immune system of an adult, unlike a small child, is already formed, so a slight increase in the thermometer readings (37-37.8 °C) can not be disrupted. Febrile temperature (38 degrees) in the first three days of a cold only serves to benefit the body, so you should not immediately reduce it. At this time, the body intensively fights the disease. In addition, interferon, a protein that fights infections, begins to be produced. Often, at such indicators, viruses and bacteria themselves cannot withstand the heat and die.

If the numbers on the thermometer are close to 39 degrees, then you can bring them back to normal at home (drinking plenty of fluids, wiping, ventilating the room). If the temperature exceeds 39°C, the patient should be taken to the doctor immediately. You should call an ambulance only when the thermometer reads 40-41 degrees. There are certain cases when it is worth reducing the fever:

• if an adult’s temperature persists for more than three days;
• when a doctor prescribed antipyretics to avoid exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• when thermoregulation fails (signs of this condition are: cold sweat, the body does not sweat, severe chills appear, the skin becomes pale);
• if lethargy is accompanied by delirium and confusion.

How to knock down at home

If an increase in temperature is accompanied by aching joints, headaches, and general weakness, then you should try to lower the thermometer readings on your own. Wherein should be taken with caution medications not prescribed by a doctor. After all, they can harm the body. It is possible to lower the temperature of an adult without the use of medications. We must use everything that can cool and not heat the body. Here are the most popular methods:

1. Cooling compresses and wraps. You need to take a basin, pour cool water or yarrow decoction into it. Next, soak a cotton towel in the liquid and apply it to your wrists, groin folds, forehead, and temples. The compress must be changed frequently.
2. Rubbing the body with alcohol, vodka, vinegar. The patient needs to undress and wipe the body with these products. If a person feels very cold, this is a normal reaction, you just need to be patient.
3. Drink plenty of fluids. You need to drink warm tea, adding raspberries, currants, honey - these components will increase sweating, with which the fever will go away. Then you just need to drink a lot of water.
4. Hypertonic solution. Can be cooked remedy, which includes 250 ml of boiled water and 2 tsp. salt. The solution has a preventive effect on the absorption of water through the intestinal walls and its excretion along with feces. You should drink the product in small sips.
5. Enema with chamomile infusion. It is necessary to prepare chamomile infusion in advance. To do this you need to pour 4 tbsp. l. dry flowers with a glass of boiling water and heat the solution in a water bath. After cooling, the broth must be filtered and diluted with water to obtain a volume of 200 ml. Next, you need to pour it into the enema and carry out the procedure.

Rubdowns and compresses

The use of vinegar, alcohol (vodka) compresses and rubdowns is justified by the fact that they utilize heat transfer well and quickly evaporate from the surface of the body. Subsequently, the temperature stabilizes and relief occurs. All that is necessary is to properly prepare a solution of alcohol (in a ratio of 1:1) or vinegar (1:5) and rub it on your neck, armpits, elbows, groin, heels, and popliteal folds. The compress can be placed on the forehead. Next, you just need to lie down without a blanket for a few minutes so that the liquid evaporates from the surface of the body and the fever decreases.

Medicines

When choosing antipyretic drugs, you need to look not at their strength, but at their safety. Often, to improve the patient’s well-being, it is necessary to reduce the thermometer readings by only 1.5 °C. Therefore, the patient should not take one tablet after another if the condition has not returned to normal. Antipyretic anti-inflammatory drugs are not prescribed in a course; it is necessary to fight fever when the temperature has already risen. Adults should not use antipyretic tablets for fever for more than 3 days without consulting a doctor. The most common means are:

Antipyretics for high fever in adults

Hyperthermia is often accompanied by fever, metabolic and circulatory disorders, loss of fluid and salts, so the patient wants to quickly get rid of this condition. Pathological condition can appear in a person of any age category. As a rule, when the temperature rises, the patient feels overwhelmed, headaches and joint pain, performance decreases. To improve the condition, the following antipyretics can help an adult:

1. Paracetamol. The most popular antipyretic drug. Available in the form of tablets, suppositories, suspension, syrup. The product can be used only in the absence of liver diseases (hepatitis, cirrhosis) and renal failure. Rectal or internal single dose should not exceed 500 mg. Paracetamol is not compatible with alcohol and products containing ethanol and phenobarbital. Side effects: itching, skin rash, urticaria.
2. Calpol. It is a frequently used antipyretic agent. The drug is approved during pregnancy. Adults weighing more than 60 kg should take 500 mg of the medicine orally, the frequency of administration is 4 times a day. Contraindications: renal, liver failure, viral hepatitis, alcoholism. Side effects: nausea, itching, dizziness.
3. Efferalgan. Effervescent tablets white. They have antipyretic and analgesic effects. The product must be dissolved in a glass of water (200 ml). Take 2-3 times a day with an interval of 4 hours. The drug does not have a negative effect on water-salt metabolism. Efferalgan is contraindicated in children under 15 years of age. Adverse reactions: itching, Quincke's edema, anemia (anemia).
4. Acetylsalicylic acid. It has anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic effects. Do not use tablets for gastritis, severe kidney disease, or a tendency to bleed. For adults, a single dosage varies from 40 mg to 1 g. Side effects: diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, tinnitus.
5. Aspirin. Available in the form of powder and tablets. The drug has effective antipyretic properties. Adults need to take one tablet 3 times a day after meals. Contraindications: diabetes, stomach ulcer, bronchial asthma. Side effects: general weakness, anemia.
6. Analgin. It has antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Adults should take one tablet 2 times a day. Contraindications: bronchial asthma, severe liver dysfunction. Side effects from taking the medicine are manifested by allergic reactions: rash, itching, Quincke's edema.
7. Askofen. Combination drug. Has an antipyretic effect. The drug is contraindicated for peptic ulcers, gastritis, and liver diseases. Dosage regimen – 2 tablets 3 times a day, washed down with plenty of water. Side effects: vomiting, nausea, stomach pain.
8. Ibuprofen. One of the most effective pain relievers and antipyretics. For an adult, 200 mg of the drug is enough, then the drug can be repeated (no more than 4 tablets per day). Ibuprofen at a fever in an adult is contraindicated for people with liver pathologies, individual intolerance, peptic ulcer stomach. Side effects: diarrhea, dizziness, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat).
9. Moment. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Used to reduce fever and treat pain of moderate to moderate intensity. A single dose for adults is 200 - 800 mg, frequency of use is 3 times a day. The drug is contraindicated during lactation, stomach ulcers, and pregnancy. Side effects: nausea, flatulence, constipation, shortness of breath.
10. Nurofen. White coated tablets are often used for headaches. The dosage of the drug for an adult is 200 mg (one tablet) 3 times a day. The drug is contraindicated for hypertension ( high blood pressure), blood disease, renal dysfunction. Side effects: headache, shortness of breath.

Antibiotics

Any antibacterial drugs should be taken only as prescribed by a doctor. We must understand that Antibiotics do not reduce fever, because they only fight the inflammatory process caused by bacteria. Upon admission antibacterial agents A decrease in the numbers on the thermometer is possible only after a few days (often after 3 days). As a rule, antibiotics are prescribed after the etiology of the disease causing the fever has been established. Most popular antibacterial drugs are:

1. Amoxiclav. Effective Antibiotic, is a semi-synthetic derivative of penicillin. The drug is indicated for the treatment of infectious diseases: pneumonia (pneumonia), pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx), tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils). Dosage – one tablet 500/125 mg 2 times a day. Side effects: nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea.
2. Ceftriaxone. Antibiotic from the 3rd generation cephalosporin group. Prescribed for treatment infectious diseases. The drug is available in powder form for preparing a solution. The medicine should be administered intramuscularly. The drug is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation. Dosage – 500-2000 mg 1 time per day. Side effects: lethargy, drowsiness, itching, nausea.
3. Levomycetin. Antibiotic wide range actions. Active against gram-positive bacteria. Used to treat infectious and inflammatory diseases. Dose for adults – 500 mg 4 times a day. Contraindications: childhood up to 4 weeks, pregnancy, eczema. Side effects: flatulence, diarrhea, anemia.
4. Azithromycin. Semi-synthetic antibiotic. Used to treat infectious diseases of the respiratory system. Dosage for adults: 500 mg once daily. Contraindications: severe kidney pathologies. Side effects: nausea, blurred vision, vomiting.
5. Clarithromycin. An antibiotic of semi-synthetic origin belongs to the group of macrolides. The drug is active against gram-positive microflora: staphylococci, streptococci, listeria. Contraindications: age under 12 years, liver failure. The drug should be taken one tablet at a dosage of 250 mg in the morning and evening. Side effects: sleep disturbance, anxiety, skin redness.

How to get rid of fever in 1 day

To quickly reduce the readings on the thermometer, you need to drink raspberry juice throughout the day. You can also take an ice bath. To do this, completely immerse yourself in water for 5 seconds. After the procedure, you need to wipe yourself dry and go to bed. In addition, you can hold your feet in ice water. Next, without wiping them, you should put on knitted socks made of natural wool, walk continuously in them for 20 minutes and go to bed. To quickly eliminate an unpleasant symptom, you can give an injection with analgin and diphenhydramine, but it is better to seek help from a specialist.

Folk remedies

Many people often use remedies to reduce their temperature traditional medicine, time-tested. The most popular is a hot drink with raspberries, lemon and honey. To prepare it, you need to brew regular black tea, add 2 tsp to it. jam (you can simply grind frozen raspberries), a slice of lemon. When the drink has cooled, add a teaspoon of honey. Mix everything thoroughly and drink in small sips. Other folk remedies for fever in adults:

What not to do at high temperatures

If a person discovers that he has an elevated temperature, but there are no chronic or pathological diseases, then he should not urgently bring it down and take antipyretic drugs, especially if the numbers on the thermometer are not higher than 38 C. We must allow the body to cope with the fever on its own. The patient should be dressed in light clothing and the room should be ventilated periodically. At high mercury levels it is not recommended:

• take antibiotics yourself;
• wrap yourself in a warm blanket;
• drink sugary drinks;
• humidify the air in the room;
• resort to the help of baths, heating pads, mustard plasters.

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Few people like it when the temperature rises. Of course, when this happens, certain measures must be taken. So, a child has a temperature of under 39, what to do, what to do? There is one banal, but very effective way that can help: seeking medical help.

You cannot hesitate in this situation, nor can you practice treatment on your own. At such a high temperature it will be necessary competent diagnostics and prescribing a course of treatment. If you cannot visit the doctor quickly, then while waiting for his arrival, you should definitely lower your temperature. A spoonful of paracetamol or antipyretic syrup will help you. Among other things, administering the drug using an enema or suppository will also be very useful.

What else to do at a temperature of 39

In addition to the above solutions, you can fight the fever by rubbing it with vinegar. Do you know what you can do at a temperature of 39? Try mixing vinegar and water in equal proportions. After this, you need to moisten a napkin in the solution, wring it out and wipe the baby’s hands, neck and chest. There is no need to wrap yourself up or cover yourself. The child should lie in this position for some time.

The vinegar will begin to evaporate, causing the skin to cool somewhat, which will cause a drop in body temperature. In addition to this substance, you can use semi-alcohol, water and cologne rubdowns. The second option is relevant in case of allergies in the baby. If he has cold extremities, this is white hyperthermia, accordingly, it is necessary to rub the child alcohol solution. When the temperature drops, you need to give the child tea; there is no need to force feed.

If an adult has a temperature of 39, but no symptoms

As in the case of sick children, when adults have a temperature of 39 without symptoms, help will be needed professional specialist. If the temperature increases by half a degree, an ambulance is required immediately, because such heat is fraught with convulsions. To cope with such a fever, you need to drink, drink and drink again! When the temperature is elevated, the volume of water in the human body drops sharply, and due to dehydration, a subsequent increase in body temperature occurs. Juices, teas, chicken broths will be useful. This will allow you to replenish the lack of fluid in the body.

Temperature indicators indicate how healthy a person is. At the slightest failure, the values ​​on the thermometer begin to creep up. But if an adult has a temperature of 39, what to do?

A temperature of 39 never occurs without good reason. And if it is also characterized by a painful feeling in the throat or stomach, then this phenomenon is an alarming symptom. In this condition, a person simply feels overwhelmed. These signs also include lethargy, weakness, general malaise, poor sleep and lack of appetite.

At a temperature of 39 degrees, the first thing you need to do is find out what are the reasons for this process. This may include:

• infectious diseases;
• pathological processes of purulent-destructive type;
• collagenosis;
• endocrine system disruption;
• feverish state when taking medications.

There are other reasons that are characterized by a temperature of 39 degrees. For example, teething in babies. If an adult has a toothache and a feverish state, then it is customary to talk about the occurrence of an infectious-inflammatory process.

A temperature of 39 without symptoms in an adult may indicate a violation of heat transfer. Often this phenomenon is promoted by sunstroke, excess weight, and severe physical activity.

Infectious diseases

The most common cause of fever is the occurrence of infectious diseases. This group includes:

• influenza infection;
• colds;
• pneumonia;
• neuritis;
• meningitis;
• otitis;
• sinusitis or sinusitis;
• rhinitis;
• laryngitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis;
• bronchitis.

Also, a temperature of 39 degrees may indicate diseases of the genitourinary or digestive system. Chronic diseases such as prostatitis, inflammation of the ovaries or gums are also characterized by a rise in temperature.

Infectious diseases can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection, and therefore it is impossible to delay the treatment process.

The main symptoms of such ailments are:

• a painful feeling in the throat, head, lower back or stomach;
• weakening and development of a feverish state;
• dry or wet cough;
• diarrhea, vomiting and nausea.

In this case, the high temperature can be maintained for 3-4 days and begin to subside only on the 5th day.
What to do if the temperature is 39? First you need to call a doctor at home. He will conduct an inspection and find out the cause of what is happening. After which he will prescribe treatment.

1. At temperatures above 38.5 degrees, you should take antipyretic drugs in the form of Aspirin, Ibufen, Effelgin. At the same time, you can wipe down with warm water. It is necessary to bring down the temperature no less than four to six hours after taking the medications.
2. For viral infections, antiviral medications are prescribed. It helps the body produce antibodies and fight infection. These include Rematandin, Polyoxidonium, Arbidol, Kagocel.
3. For bacterial infections, broad-spectrum antibiotics of the penicillin or macrolide group are prescribed.
4. For a runny nose, various drops with a vasoconstrictor and anti-inflammatory effect are used. At the same time, it is advised to rinse your nose with saline solution.
5. For a sore throat, you can use lozenges and tablets. It is also necessary to gargle. For coughs, syrups and inhalations are prescribed.

A number of recommendations must be followed.

• Maintain bed rest for three days.
• Maintain drinking regime. The liquid should be warm. You can drink not only water, but also a lemon drink with honey, chamomile tea with linden, raspberry, currant and lingonberry fruit drinks, raisin and apple compotes.
• Ventilate the room and humidify the air.

Temperature measurements should be taken every hour. If the temperature does not go down, then you need to urgently call an ambulance. She will give an injection with a lytic mixture and hospitalize the patient in a hospital.

Pathological process of a purulent-destructive nature

When the temperature is 39 degrees, this may indicate the presence of a purulent focus. The pathological process can affect bone and muscle tissue, the abdominal or thoracic area. More often purulent focus occurs in the lungs and indicates the presence of an acute abscess or gangrene.

Such diseases are very dangerous, and therefore you need to know their signs. The main symptoms are usually:

• painful feeling in the sternum;
• weakness, lethargy, loss of appetite;
• cough with large sputum production;
• putrid breath.

Also, a temperature of 39 may indicate a purulent process in the abdominal cavity. Then the disease is characterized by:

• vomiting without relief;
• bloating;
• retention of stool;
• tension in the abdominal wall;
• severe weakness.

What to do if the temperature is 39 and the above symptoms are observed? The purulent process requires urgent surgical intervention. After this, the patient is prescribed drug therapy, which includes:

• taking antibacterial agents;
• use of mucolytic drugs;
• carrying out detoxification measures;
• performing sanitary bronchoscopy;
• washing the affected cavities with antiseptic agents.

Asymptomatic febrile state

Temperatures of 39 degrees can rise without symptoms. This process can occur as a result of fatigue, a stressful situation, or physical activity.

A temperature of 39.5 degrees often indicates the development of collagenosis. Then the febrile state is accompanied excessive sweating, chills. A little later, patients begin to complain of a painful feeling in the joint tissues and changes in the skin on the facial area.

A febrile state may occur as a result of rheumatoid arthritis as a complication. Other accompanying symptoms include a rash on the skin. In this case, the disease can last a very long time.

A temperature of 39 degrees may indicate the manifestation of thyrotoxicosis. This disease is characterized by a jump in the amount of hormones in the thyroid gland. The disease also manifests itself as a symptom in the form of tachycardia.

An increase in temperature may indicate a reaction to medications. But the feverish state does not last long. And after a few days it is accompanied by rashes on skin and weakness.

How to bring down a temperature of 39 degrees? The temperature in such diseases rarely drops immediately. It can be held until the cause is eliminated.
You can take antipyretics in the form of Paracetamol or Ibufen. You can use this group of products already at an increase of 38.5 degrees.

In fact, high temperatures today are far from uncommon. However, when a high temperature appears in an adult without visible symptoms of the disease, we begin to worry, try to bring it down in every possible way, and if this fails, we turn to doctors for help. In fact, it is important to understand that in adults this is not something out of the ordinary; on the contrary, it is thanks to temperature that we can sometimes notice that something is wrong with our body, immune system.

Causes in adults

It is necessary to understand that a high temperature in an adult is not as dangerous as a fever in a child, who is still at the formative stage and is not yet able to adequately respond to possible negative influences from the outside. When it comes to an increase in temperature in an adult, everything is different. The fact is that the principle of operation of an adult’s immune system has already been established, so it keeps the processes occurring in the body under control.

However, what causes high fever in an adult? There are actually plenty of reasons for this. An increase in body temperature can be influenced by the entry of bacterial and viral infections into the body, and the temperature can also be the result of an allergic reaction, an inflammatory process in joints or tissues, as well as a heart attack, and so on.

One way or another, it is important to understand that a high temperature in an adult is not a disease, but only the body’s reaction to some kind of disorder.

Reducing the temperature

Of course, it is very difficult to tolerate high temperatures. Today there are many ways to bring it down. First of all, you will need to cool down, and then try to drink as much fluid as possible to prevent it. It is very good to drink as much tea with honey, lemon and raspberries as the temperature rises. Sweat on the forehead of a patient who drinks this tea will be a clear sign that the temperature is dropping.

Alternatively, you can use rubbing with alcohol or vodka; this is a completely safe and effective method. Another way to reduce fever is an enema filled with an antipyretic drug diluted with half a glass of boiled water. This procedure is not so pleasant, so it is used more often in cases where the temperature does not drop for a long time.

As for drugs used as antipyretics, they should be used in the most extreme cases. Such tablets and powders contribute to the deterioration of blood clotting and can even cause bleeding. If your temperature does not drop within three days and signs of a cold appear, such as a sore throat, cough and runny nose, you should consult a doctor. The fever may be caused by pneumonia or another illness that requires treatment with antibiotics.

High fever in a nursing mother

It is especially unpleasant, of course, if an increase in temperature is observed in a nursing mother, since her condition will first of all affect the baby. If a mother’s temperature rises during lactation, this is not a reason to stop feeding the baby. The most important thing at such moments is to identify the cause. For example, it could be a common cold, or it could be a sign of lactostasis. In addition, a nursing mother's temperature may increase due to poisoning, infections or inflammation.

Before you start lowering your temperature and panicking, you need to urgently consult a doctor who will help establish a diagnosis and prescribe treatment if necessary.

High temperature in a teenager - reasons

Often, parents of teenagers aged 13 to 15 years are concerned about the increase in temperature in children, while we are talking more about the increase in temperature in boys. In fact, there is no reason to worry, in such cases we are talking about the so-called “growth temperature”, that is, the child begins to grow quickly, the temperature rises, while he himself feels healthy and active. In such cases, treatment will not be required; over time, the teenager’s body temperature will return to normal.

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

Temperature Temperature 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. Most low temperature 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. Exercise stress, 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 kind of pathological process usually of an inflammatory nature. 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 protective forces the body, on the contrary, intensify: metabolism and blood circulation accelerate, antibodies are released faster. But this increases the load on many organs and systems: cardiovascular, respiratory. High temperature is depressing nervous system, leads to dehydration. It is possible that circulatory disorders may occur during 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 big picture diseases 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...

The temperature is noticeable 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. Wherein common symptom– pain in the heart area;

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

This is, of course, far from full list diseases that can cause fever

High temperature in a child

Temperature Temperature The child will not say that he has a high temperature. Even relatively large children, including students in primary school As a rule, they 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. Normal pulse is 100-130 beats per minute during sleep and 140-160 during wakefulness. By two years, the frequency decreases to 100-140 beats per minute. Normal frequency breathing also depends on age, for a two-month-old child it is 35-48 breaths per minute, for ages 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.

When the thermometer shows over 37, this is a reason to be wary. But there is no need to panic and immediately reach for pills. We calmly tell you how to beat the fever.

How can I tell if I have a fever?

First, remember that body temperature varies depending on gender, age, time of day, what you eat, drink, place and method of measuring it. For example, the normal temperature under the armpit is usually a whole degree lower than in the rectum.

Normal values ​​are from 36.5 °C to 37.2 °C. Anything above is a cause for concern.

Typically, rising temperatures are accompanied by unpleasant symptoms- weakness, chilliness, headache or other unexplained discomfort in the body. If you feel that you are sick, but the thermometer shows only a slight deviation from the norm (say, 37.1 ° C), wait an hour or two and measure again.

Is it true that it is best to measure with a mercury thermometer?

No. A mercury thermometer is more familiar and more accurate than an electronic one. But if it suddenly breaks, you can be poisoned by toxic mercury fumes. There is no need to panic when you see your old thermometer, but it is better to replace it with a safer analogue. Moreover, this will soon have to be done anyway: in 2014, Russia signed the Minamata Convention on Mercury and pledged to abandon the sale of mercury thermometers by 2020. What to replace them with?

Glass mercury-free thermometer looks exactly the same as mercury, but is safer and is not inferior to it in accuracy. Inside, instead of a toxic element, there is a metal alloy that will not harm a person if the thermometer breaks.

Digital Thermometer has a greater error compared to glass ones, but cannot break. It is better for them to measure their temperature under the tongue or in the anus. And don’t rush: experts advise waiting a couple more minutes after the beep.

Infrared thermometers measure the temperature in the ears or forehead. The advantage is that it takes them a few seconds, which is why such thermometers are often purchased for children. The disadvantage is not the highest accuracy.

I definitely have a fever. What could it be?

There are many specific situations when the temperature rises. Here are the most common:

You woke up with a slight sore throat that gradually grew worse. After some time, a runny nose developed, and in the evening your temperature rose slightly. Most likely it's a cold.

You have a headache, aches in your muscles and joints, and your temperature has risen sharply. Your condition began to rapidly deteriorate. You probably caught the flu.

Yesterday you got vaccinated, and you have had a low temperature for two days. If there are no other symptoms of illness, this is a normal reaction of the body to the vaccine.

A severe sore throat that lasts longer than three to five days, swollen tonsils and a high temperature are signs of a sore throat.

If you have had the flu and the temperature first subsided, but returned after a couple of days, and all this is accompanied by pain in the chest, wheezing, shortness of breath - it could be pneumonia.

A high temperature is combined with pain in the ear - there is a chance that you have otitis media.

Fever is accompanied by vomiting and/or diarrhea without signs of acute respiratory viral infection - evidence of an intestinal infection.

Slightly elevated temperature that lasts for a long time without any other symptoms, may indicate chronic inflammation or infection (for example, tuberculosis), hormonal disorders, as well as neoplasms.

In women, the temperature may rise slightly after ovulation.

In all these cases, you can consult a doctor online to be sure.

Whatever it is, the first thing I do is reach for the pills, right?

No. In general, doctors have been observing patients with fever for thousands of years, but have not yet come to a clear opinion whether it is always necessary to bring it down with medications.

It is believed that high temperature helps the body cope with infection: in the heat, harmful microbes are even worse off than we are.

Therefore, if the thermometer shows less than 38 °C in the armpit, and you are not very ill, you do not need to take antipyretics.

Well, do you need to drink some hot tea?! And wrap yourself in a blanket!

Drink more water or herbal tea. But no more than 3 liters per day and not hot. Hot drinks burn the mucous membranes and additionally heat the body - this is of no use at a fever.

Take a warm (not hot!) bath. The water temperature should be slightly lower than body temperature, this will help reduce the fever a little.

Dry yourself with a damp towel. Place a cool, damp towel on your forehead and refresh it every 10 to 15 minutes.

Don't bundle up. At temperature, excess heat is generated and it needs to go somewhere. If you wrap yourself in a hundred clothes, it will create a “greenhouse effect” (it is as harmful to the body as it is to the planet). It is better to wear clothes made of light fabrics. And if you feel chilly, cover yourself with a thin blanket.

Ventilate the room so that it is not too stuffy.

And if I feel bad, what’s the best way to knock it down?

If you have a hard time with any change in temperature, there is no need to wait for 38.1 ° C: take paracetamol, ibuprofen or naproxen.

But doctors recommend taking aspirin, familiar to everyone since childhood, only if there are no other drugs at hand. This is an effective, but not the safest medicine: it thins the blood, which can lead to internal bleeding.

It is especially dangerous to take aspirin against the background of the flu. This virus itself increases vascular permeability, and if you add a blood thinning effect acetylsalicylic acid, then the risk of bleeding will increase even more. Aspirin is also contraindicated for people with stomach ulcers and asthmatics.

Paracetamol
500 mg / 3–4 times a day / Maximum daily dose 4 years

Ibuprofen

200–400 mg / Every 4–6 hours / Maximum daily dose 1200 mg.

Naproxen

500–750 mg / 2 times a day / Maximum daily dose 1.75 g.

Aspirin

0.5–1 g / once every 4 hours / Maximum daily dose - 3 g.

Only adults can take aspirin. In children it can cause dangerous syndrome Rhea - the reason liver failure, encephalopathy and death.

When to call a doctor?

Temperature is an alarm beacon, but does not always require immediate medical attention. If there are no other symptoms or they are mild, the doctor will most likely advise you to rest and monitor how you feel. Therefore, in the first three days you can not panic and rest at home. If you strictly need sick leave for this, you will have to see a doctor on the first day.

If the temperature continues to rise stubbornly, and you do not understand the reason, call a doctor at home or at least consult with him remotely.

How and when to apply for sick leave

You can watch

Your nose itches and your throat hurts, the fever lasts less than three days, but overall you feel good.

The temperature lasts 1-3 days, but nothing else bothers you.

You were poisoned, you know exactly what (and it was something harmless like yesterday’s Olivier), the temperature was low, you vomited and felt better.

It's time to call

The temperature lasts longer than three days or rises again a couple of days after the end of the illness.

During the week, the temperature regularly rises to 38 °C.

Along with your temperature sharp pains in the throat, ear and severe cough.

You have been poisoned, you have a fever and signs of dehydration: dry mouth, weakness, dizziness.

A rash appears on any part of the skin.

Your urine has changed color and you feel pain when urinating.

“Pay attention to your skin. At fever it usually turns red. If it is pale, this is an unfavorable symptom; this condition is called “pale hyperthermia.” Then, as a rule, doctors prescribe not only an antipyretic, but also an antispasmodic. If the high temperature cannot be brought down at home or if complications arise, hospitalization may be required.”

When should you call an ambulance?

Call an ambulance if you have a fever (6):

You don't sweat, your skin is dry and very hot to the touch,

You can hardly breathe, and your chest is squeezing in pain,

Vomiting or diarrhea does not stop

Stiff neck

A red rash appears, similar to hemorrhages under the skin,

My stomach hurts a lot,

Severe pain or swelling in any part of the body,

The body is cramping,

Consciousness is confused

It hurts your eyes when you look at the light,

You notice any unusual symptoms that seem dangerous.

You took an antipyretic, but it didn’t work.

Recipe

1. If you feel normal, you don’t need to bring down the temperature below 38 °C with tablets.

2. If the fever is painful, take paracetamol, ibuprofen or naproxen, no matter what the thermometer shows.

3. If the temperature lasts 3 days or is immediately accompanied by others alarming symptoms, call a doctor.

4. If at any temperature you have cramps, vomiting or diarrhea, no sweat, difficulty breathing, sore neck muscles or confusion, call an ambulance.

5. If you have mercury thermometer, replace it with mercury-free, electronic or infrared.

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A high temperature is always scary, especially when it comes to a child. But doctors look at hyperthermia differently and urge not to bring it down to 38.5 C, since at this time intensive production of antibodies against the causative agent of the disease occurs.

Why does high temperature occur? This is a physiological reaction of the body to the introduction of a foreign agent, which are viruses, bacteria, fungi and harmful substances. The body protects itself by creating conditions unsuitable for the reproduction of an infectious agent.

This leads to the conclusion that high fever should be dealt with by treating the cause of the disease, and not by eliminating its symptoms. Of course, if the temperature persists for more than 5 days, it significantly exhausts the person and indicates the development of complications, the addition of a secondary infection (in the case of acute respiratory infections, influenza) or bacterial resistance to the antibiotic (against the background of ongoing antibacterial therapy).

• readings of 38-38.5 C are considered mild fever
• 38.6-39.5 – moderate heat
• more than 39.5 – high fever
• but if the thermometer shows a figure of more than 40.5 C, this condition is already life-threatening

Each person reacts differently to hyperthermia. Some say goodbye to life even at 37 C, while others calmly tolerate a temperature of 39 C without feeling much discomfort. There are also diseases in which the temperature should not be allowed to rise above 38.5 C:

• epilepsy and convulsive readiness (in children who have once had it, it should be knocked down after 37.5C)
• cardiovascular diseases
• severe damage to the central nervous system, etc.

How to reduce fever without medication for an adult

• Create a cool air temperature in the room, 18-20 C, but avoid drafts.
• Drink plenty of fluids room temperature. These can be unsweetened berry fruit drinks, mineral water, compote, weak tea, just water. You need to drink in small portions, but constantly. At the same time, you should ensure that urination is also sufficient.
• Place your feet in a basin of cool water.
• Apply cool compresses to the body: moisten towels or sheets in water and apply to the legs, forehead, neck, wrists, armpits and groin.
• Wipe the body with cool water (20-22 C): alternately moisten parts of the body with water, then let them dry.
• Sit in the bath with a slight warm water(33-35 C), so that the water is waist-deep. Wipe your face with the same water and top part bodies. This method is the most effective because it allows you to simultaneously reduce the temperature and wash away toxins from the skin.
• Apply ice to the projection sites of large vessels (see the article on how to apply ice correctly). Crushed ice should be poured into a plastic bag and alternately applied to certain areas, having previously protected them with a dry cloth: forehead, armpits, area under the knees and groin folds. The duration of the procedure is no more than 5 minutes; applications can be repeated after an interval of 15 minutes.
• Wear light cotton clothing and lie in bed.

A sign of a decrease in temperature is sweating, as well as the disappearance of muscle pain and chills.

How to reduce fever without pills in a child

The temperature in children of the first year of life should not be left to chance. Organs and systems are not yet perfect, and the reaction to hyperthermia can be severe (see).

Older children can also be helped without medication. But there are a few things to consider: if general state severe, the child does not drink or urinate, against the background of a high temperature, cold extremities, and the temperature, having dropped, immediately rises to high levels - you should immediately call an ambulance, because hyperthermia also manifests life-threatening diseases: meningitis, sepsis, pneumonia, etc. .

• Create cool air temperature there should be no drafts in the room where the child is (18-20 C).
• Strip the child down to his panties– heat will evaporate from a large surface of the skin. For babies, first of all, remove the diaper, since it is a source of the greenhouse effect.
• Give your child something to drink. Every 5 minutes you need to give about 5-10 ml of liquid (water at room temperature). Very often, children with fever refuse to drink. You can drink it with a syringe, remove the needle from it, give it to drink in a sippy cup, your favorite bottle, i.e. interest the baby. You should not drink a large volume of water at once, as this may cause vomiting.
• Wipe the baby's body with water temperature approximately 22-25 degrees. You should not wipe your entire body at once, so as not to cause chills. First, the face and forehead are wiped, which are dried with a towel after a minute, then the arms, neck, back, and legs are wiped according to the same principle.
• For children from 3 years old this method is also possible: pour a little into the basin warm water(36-37 C), place the undressed child there and pour water from the same basin on him, except his head, for 2-3 minutes. Then you need to dry the child, dress him in cotton clothes and put him to bed.

What happens to the body at high temperatures?

What should not be done at high temperatures?

If you can tolerate it, then it’s better not to knock it down

You can’t strive to bring it down to 36.6

There is no need to try to bring the temperature down to 36.6 C. Parents make this mistake especially often, trying to bring the child’s temperature down to normal or even lower. If the temperature drops from high numbers by 1.5-2 degrees, this is already good and quite enough to ensure that complications from hyperthermia do not arise, and the body continues to fight the infection.

Don't knock her down from the very first minutes of promotion

Also, do not lower the temperature from the first minutes after it is detected. We must give the body a chance to begin active work against the infectious agent. Well, if you constantly bring down the temperature without allowing it to rise, this is a direct path to a protracted infection and serious drug treatment even banal ARVI.

What not to do at high temperatures

At high temperatures, you cannot use means and methods that contribute to a further increase in temperature:

• alcohol-based compresses
• heaters
• steam room, hot tub and shower
• alcohol
• hot drinks
• sweet drinks
• drinks containing caffeine
• warm clothes, socks, wrapping in blankets, etc.

If you have a humidifier, is it worth using it?

There is no consensus on this issue. It is believed that during high temperatures it is not advisable to turn on humidifiers, since humid air interferes with the evaporation of sweat - the most important mechanism for the natural drop in temperature. It is also believed that with humid air, bacteria and viruses easily enter the lungs and can aggravate the disease. But when the temperature drops, moist air promotes better coughing and liquefaction of sputum, so its use is possible.

Rubbing with alcohol-containing products

This, one might say, folk remedy has both its supporters and opponents.

• Opponents of this method of reducing temperature do not recommend wiping the body with vodka or any alcohol-containing liquids. Alcohol vapor entering the bloodstream through the lungs causes dizziness and headache. A sharp cooling of the skin leads to the fact that the body compensatory begins to produce heat, resulting in severe chills. Those. An additional burden is placed on an already weakened body. For example, in the Republic of Belarus, alcohol rubdown is officially prohibited both in the hospital and for emergency care.
• Supporters recommend rubbing with vodka locally (the child’s hands and feet) and only with a non-strong solution, no more than 40 degrees. Rubbing a baby with vodka is not recommended even by supporters of the method, since the baby’s skin partially performs the respiratory function and there is a risk alcohol poisoning infant very high (see and).

Temperature measurement methods

• Oral - the tip of the thermometer is placed under the tongue, the mouth is closed. The measurement lasts 3 minutes. The norm is up to 37 C. This method is not applicable in children when using a mercury thermometer.
• Rectal - the tip of the thermometer is lubricated with oil and carefully inserted into anus. The result is obtained within 1 minute. The norm is up to 37.5 C. It is most often used in young children, since the measurement is fast and accurate.
• Axillary - The tip of the thermometer is placed in the armpit. Measurement time – 8-10 minutes. The norm is up to 37 C.

Why can’t you lower your temperature with aspirin and analgin?

Aspirin, especially in children under 12 years of age, can lead to the development of a severe pathology - Reye's syndrome, which severely affects the central nervous system and liver. Analgin is not only useless in the treatment of hyperthermia, but it also negatively affects the condition immune system, reducing the number of leukocytes in the blood. And the once recommended hellish mixture of aspirin and analgin is poison for the body!

Yes, the temperature will drop, but the consequences of taking medications, which are practically not used in Europe, can be very serious (allergies, development of ulcers, kidney and liver pathologies). Unfortunately, side effects described in the annotations for this drug, this is exactly real threat, which should not be treated as something very unlikely: 25% of patients taking aspirin or analgin experienced some kind of side effects.

How to reduce fever using folk remedies

Some plants and natural products can also help fight high fever. We only note that they can only be used by adults, since children often develop allergic reactions even for regular food. All liquids suggested below should be drunk slightly warm or at room temperature, but not hot.

• Fruits and berries high in vitamin C: red and black currants, raspberries, strawberries, cherries, oranges, prunes. You can eat them natural, or even better, make fruit drinks from them.
• Plants with diaphoretic effect. We have already found out that due to sweat secreted, body temperature drops. Decoctions or teas made from linden blossom, calendula, oregano, and birch buds will not only quench your thirst, but also activate sweating.
• Another well-known diaphoretic plant is raspberries.. Raspberry branches have a special effect, which should be poured with boiling water and left for half an hour (5 branches per half liter of water). Drink in small sips. The effect will not be long in coming.
• Honey It not only activates sweating, but also has antiviral and antibacterial activity. It can be added to cooled herbal infusions or berry fruit drinks at the rate of a teaspoon per glass.

Remember that hyperthermia is not a disease, but the body’s response to an infection. Pay attention to treating the underlying disease, rather than wasting energy on lowering your temperature!