Usually, an increase in temperature in an adult accompanies a cold or other inflammatory processes in the body. But in some cases, the temperature rises to 38 degrees without obvious symptoms of the disease.
Most doctors consider the increase in temperature as a favorable factor, indicating the confrontation of the body to various negative influences. The matter is that the raised temperature promotes destruction of pathogenic microorganisms and to acceleration of synthesis of an interferon which strengthens immunity. However, sometimes the temperature of 38 without symptoms lasts for several days.
Causes of temperature increase
As already noted, the temperature rise to 38 is caused by colds, the main symptom is headache. Also, the elevated temperature is observed in situations:
- physical overstrain;
- strong stressful experiences;
- overheating, first of all, as a result of a long stay in the sun;
- disorders of the digestive system;
- allergic manifestations;
- reactive response to the introduction of the vaccine;
- alcohol abuse.
A temperature of 38.5 and higher without symptoms can signal that lacunar or follicular angina begins (in catarrhal angina, the temperature rises slightly).
If the temperature above 38 degrees without symptoms lasts 3 or more days, this can be a manifestation:
- rheumatism;
- heart attack;
- inflammation of the kidneys (with a strong stitching pain in the lower back);
- vegetative vascular dystonia accompanied by irregular blood pressure;
- pneumonia.
The most unpleasant syndrome is the persistence of fever for several weeks and even months. This is most likely:
- a sign of development in the body of a tumor;
- serious endocrine disorders;
- leukemia ;
- diffuse changes in the liver or lungs.
The patient does not feel any clearly expressed symptoms of the disease, but, nevertheless, they are noted:
- weakness;
- irritability;
- sharp weight loss;
- hair loss.
Is it worth it to bring down the temperature?
If the thermometer rose to 38 degrees, then the temperature should not be knocked down, except when a person has serious pathological changes in the cardiovascular system, or he recently suffered a stroke, a heart attack. When the temperature is raised to 40 ... 41 degrees, measures should be taken to reduce the temperature indexes, as at 42 degrees there is convulsions and irreversible destructive processes occur in the structures of the brain. If the temperature is close to 38 degrees, it keeps alone - two days, then it is necessary to provide measures to alleviate the patient's condition:
- First of all, give a lot of drink, so the rise in temperature is necessarily accompanied by dehydration of the body. The best way to restore the water balance is suited to beverages with an acidic taste: hot tea with lemon and honey, fruit and herbal teas, berry fruit drinks, rose hips infusion or table mineral water.
- An effective way to reduce temperature is rubbing the body with alcohol. A fast-acting remedy is an enema with a febrifuge dissolved in 50 ml of boiled water.
However, if the body temperature has risen to 38 without symptoms and lasts for several days, do not delay the visit to the doctor. Studies conducted by specialists can help in diagnosing serious diseases. The timely treatment and implementation of all medical recommendations are often the key to a successful recovery.