Feeling weak, unreasonable fatigue and fever (or chills), we begin to look for a thermometer. What does the column say above the 36.6 ° C mark, and what measures to take if the heat begins?
Why does the temperature rise?
Normal human temperature is not limited to one value, but ranges from 36 to 37.4 ° C - each individually. This temperature is optimal for natural biochemical processes in the body.
As soon as the organism is attacked by viruses, bacteria, protozoa or frostbite, burns, foreign bodies, a protective system of immunity is included. The fight against the disease is accompanied by a rise in temperature - this mechanism is designed to destroy the antigen (its something the organism considers "alien"). Most bacteria and pathogens die already at a temperature of 38 ° C. But often the immune system fails, reacting sharply to the causative agent of the disease - then a very high temperature (39-40 ° C), which is called heat, rises. Most often this happens to children whose immunity has "not learned" to recognize pathogens and reacts sharply to all of them.
What is dangerous high temperature?
The thermometers are designed for a maximum of 42.2 ° C, because after this critical value, protein denaturation occurs in the tissues. This temperature threatens irreversible processes in the brain. Against the background of fever, children sometimes experience febrile convulsions - the baby loses consciousness, and its arms and legs twitch. For those who have experienced similar, the temperature is already considered to be 38 ° C. But until this mark is reached, it is better not to interfere with the natural struggle of the organism and not to bring down the temperature.
How to lower the heat?
To prevent high temperatures (38 ° C or more), they take antipyretics. Among the medicinal products are:
- paracetamol;
- aspirin;
- ibuprofen;
- nimesulide;
- Analgin and substances based on them.
Heat can be reduced and folk ways:
- wiping with warm water;
- wrapping shins with wet towels;
- ingestion of cranberry, cranberry, currant, sea-buckthorn berries;
- plentiful drink (ordinary or mineral water);
- reception of decoctions from leaves and twigs of raspberry, currant, cherry, viburnum.
Strictly contraindicated at high temperature, broths from St. John's wort and a rhodiola rosea (golden root).
Whether it is necessary to address to the doctor?
You need to call an ambulance in cases when:
- the temperature rose above 39.5 ° C (and in children who survived febrile convulsions - above 38 ° C);
- high temperature is accompanied by visual impairment, vomiting, muscle tension in the cervical region, abdominal pain (especially in the elderly);
- in a child under 10 years of age, a dry barking cough accompanies the heat (symptoms of laryngotracheitis).
In other cases, you can take antipyretic and wait for the local doctor.
What does the temperature say?
Among the diseases that occur with a very high temperature (39 ° C and above) are: influenza, chicken pox, pneumonia, acute pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidneys), meningitis and encephalitis, hepatitis A.
But the constant temperature (37 - 38 ° C) without any noticeable symptoms (it is also called subfebrile) is a sign of a slow inflammatory process in the body. In this case it is necessary to undergo examination (it is advisable to apply immediately to several different diagnosticians). If none of the doctors has identified the cause of fever, and you in turn feel wonderful - hide the thermometer far away so as not to fall into the trap called psychosomatics.
What if the temperature is caused by ODS or a cold?
If the heat is caused by a cold, then you need to start antiviral therapy. For example, the innovative antiviral drug Ingavirin, which has shown its effectiveness against influenza viruses such as A, B, adenovirus, parainfluenza virus, and other SARS. The use of the drug in the first two days of the disease contributes to the accelerated removal of viruses from the body, reducing the duration of the disease, reducing the risk of complications