Low body temperature in an adult often occurs due to the individual characteristics of the body and does not pose any harm to health. But more often hypothermia is evidence of the development of pathological processes. To return the indicators to normal, it is important to identify the main reason that provoked a sharp decrease in the value.

Prolonged low body temperature indicates the development of the disease

What body temperature is considered low in adults?

The indicator changes throughout the day, both for men and women - in the morning it is slightly lower than the usual value, and in the evening, on the contrary, it begins to increase. For a healthy adult, a temperature below 36 degrees for a long time is low.

Why is low temperature dangerous?

Low temperature poses a danger to the body and leads to deterioration in performance:

• brain;
• vestibular apparatus;
• metabolic processes;
• nervous system;
• hearts.

If body temperature drops critically below 32 degrees, a person may fall into a coma. Lack of timely medical assistance increases the risk of death.

Why is body temperature lowered?

Unstable temperature occurs due to the influence of external and internal factors.

Causes		Symptoms
External factors	Internal factors
severe hypothermia	weakened immune system	headache, general weakness, chills, severe loss of energy, drowsiness, nausea, trembling or numbness of the limbs
stress or shock	poisoning by toxic or noxious substances
busy work schedule	exhaustion of the body
drinking excessive amounts of alcohol	lack of vitamins and microelements
lack of rest and proper sleep	the presence of burns and other skin injuries that stimulate the dilation of blood vessels
following a strict diet, fasting	long-term uncontrolled use of antidepressants, tranquilizers or sedatives

A temperature below 35.5 degrees in a person is one of the symptoms of certain diseases.

Cold

A decrease in temperature is observed with a cold due to severe hypothermia. You need to warm up the room, lie down in bed and place a heating pad under your feet. To avoid causing further harm to health, rubbing with alcohol or vinegar is prohibited. With ARVI, as a result of severe exhaustion of the patient’s body, a drop in body temperature and tachycardia is observed.

If you have a cold, be sure to warm your feet, for example with a heating pad.

Vegetovascular dystonia

In addition to a decrease in temperature, it is characterized by general weakness, migraine, sudden surges in blood pressure, nausea and dizziness. You should go through , and .

With vegetative-vascular dystonia, frequent migraine attacks are observed

Dehydration

In case of poisoning, intoxication of the body occurs, which leads to severe dehydration, weakness and a decrease in body temperature. Deterioration of the condition causes convulsions, decreased blood pressure and loss of consciousness. It is necessary to call a doctor as soon as possible, who, depending on the severity of the condition, will prescribe the necessary treatment or take the patient to the hospital. Before the doctor arrives, it is recommended to drink still water, green tea and dried fruit compote.

A decrease in hemoglobin in the blood and a decrease in the number of red blood cells leads to oxygen starvation, and, as a result, a decrease in temperature, deterioration in performance, and severe pallor of the skin.

With anemia, body temperature decreases

Subsequently, the tongue becomes inflamed, a craving for unusual tastes such as raw meat occurs, and hair and nails become brittle. There is a general feeling of weakness and chilliness in the limbs. Treatment should be selected after testing your hemoglobin level.

Pathology of the adrenal glands

The condition is characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, frequent dizziness, heart failure, vomiting and loss of consciousness - treatment must be carried out under the supervision of a qualified specialist.

Frequent pain in the abdominal area indicates pathology of the adrenal glands

Liver failure

Leads to disruption of thermoregulation and lack of glycogen. The main symptoms are loss of appetite, sudden weight loss, nausea, memory loss, and the appearance of a yellowish tint to the skin. Diagnosis is carried out using a biochemical blood test and ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.

If you have liver problems, your skin will turn yellow.

Endocrine system diseases

Diabetes mellitus causes frequent urination, severe thirst and dry mouth, numbness in the limbs, weight loss, and increased appetite. Disturbances in the functioning of the thyroid gland are accompanied by a malfunction of the water-salt balance, which leads to jumps in the value - after a high temperature, after some time, a low value is noted. Symptoms such as dry skin, causeless weight gain, constipation and severe swelling are also noted.

You should be tested for blood sugar levels and thyroid hormone levels.

With diseases of the endocrine system, limbs swell

Viral and bacterial infections

After illness, the functioning of the immune system gradually returns to normal; as recovery progresses, loss of strength and hypothermia are observed. The main feature is that during the day the indicator remains at 37 degrees and above, and in the evening it drops to 35, which is accompanied by severe sweating and drowsiness. On average, this condition lasts up to 2 weeks.

Viral pathologies are characterized by severe sweating

Tumors

The presence of benign or malignant neoplasms leads to impaired coordination of movements, decreased temperature, headaches and a constant feeling of cold in the extremities. We need to do a computed tomography scan.

Carrying a child

In women during pregnancy, the indicator is lower than normal - such a condition, in the absence of pain and deterioration in well-being, does not mean the presence of pathologies and does not require the help of a doctor.

A decrease in body temperature during pregnancy is normal.

There is a decrease in the indicator before the onset of menstruation or during menopause.

Some people have congenital hypothermia - this means that for them a low temperature is considered normal and does not lead to a feeling of discomfort.

What to do at low temperatures

To combat unstable temperatures, make changes to your usual lifestyle:

1. Do exercises and take a contrast shower every day. Go to bed in a pre-ventilated room.
2. Keep your daily diet balanced and drink at least 2 liters of water per day. Eat dark chocolate, drink strong coffee, tea with raspberries or warm milk with honey.
3. Take vitamins to strengthen your immune system. Give up alcohol and cigarettes.
4. Pay more attention to rest, avoid lack of sleep, overexertion and severe stress.
5. Regularly maintain normal body temperature. Choose the right clothes so that they are not too hot or too cold.
6. Stop taking medications without a doctor's prescription.

You can increase the temperature using foot baths - add 5 drops of eucalyptus oil or 1 tbsp to a container with warm water. l. mustard powder. Do the procedure for half an hour several days in a row.

The described integrated approach will help cleanse the body of toxins, dilate blood vessels, normalize metabolic processes and stimulate blood circulation. After the procedures, it is necessary to take temperature measurements again - if the indicator has reached the permissible value, it is recommended to monitor the condition for several days. If your temperature rises or falls, you should be examined by a doctor.

When to call an ambulance

You should call a doctor if:

• the patient has a dangerously low temperature, which led to loss of consciousness;
• after taking the necessary measures, the indicator continues to fall;
• a low value was detected in an elderly person, while his health is deteriorating;
• a decrease in temperature is accompanied by frequent vomiting, increased sweating, choking, severe pain, bleeding, too high or low blood pressure, impaired visual and auditory function.

If the temperature drops to 34 degrees, a heart attack, severe intoxication of the body, anaphylactic shock or internal bleeding is possible - lack of medical assistance can lead to death.

You should be attentive to your health, there are many reasons for the appearance of hypothermia - an incorrect diagnosis, and incorrectly selected treatment will cause significant harm to the body.

A vital function of the human body is thermoregulation. The human body generates heat, maintains it at an optimal level, and carries out temperature exchange with the air environment. Body temperature is an unstable value; it changes insignificantly during the day: in the morning it is low, and in the evening it rises by about a degree. Such fluctuations are caused by daily changes in metabolic processes in the body.

What does it depend on?

Body temperature is a value that shows the thermal state of any living creature. It represents the difference between the production of heat by the body and heat exchange with the air. A person’s temperature constantly fluctuates, which is determined by the following factors:

• age;
• physical condition of the body;
• climatic changes in the environment;
• some diseases;
• period of day;
• pregnancy and other individual characteristics of the body.

Stages of body temperature change

There are two classifications of temperature changes. The first classification reflects the stages of temperature according to thermometer readings, the second - the state of the body depending on temperature fluctuations. According to the first medical classification, body temperature is divided into the following stages:

• low - less than 35°C;
• normal - 35 - 37°C;
• subfebrile - 37 - 38°C;
• febrile - 38 - 39°C;
• pyretic - 39 - 41°C;
• hyperpyretic - more than 41°C.

According to the second classification, the following states of the human body are distinguished depending on temperature fluctuations:

• hypothermia - less than 35°C;
• norm - 35 - 37°C;
• hyperthermia - more than 37°C;
• fever.

What temperature is considered normal?

What should be the normal temperature for a healthy adult? In medicine, 36.6°C is considered normal. This value is not constant; during the day it increases and decreases, but only slightly. There is nothing to worry about if the temperature drops to 35.5°C or rises to 37.5°C, since its fluctuations are greatly influenced by climatic conditions, age and well-being of a person. In people of different ages, the upper limit of normal temperature measured in the axillary fossa is different and has the following values:

• in newborn babies - 36.8°C;
• in six-month-old babies - 37.5°C;
• in one-year-old children - 37.5°C;
• in three-year-old children - 37.5°C;
• in six-year-old children - 37.0°C;
• in people of reproductive age - 36.8°C;
• in older people - 36.3°C.

Usually during the day the body temperature of a healthy person fluctuates within one degree.

The lowest temperatures are observed in the morning immediately after waking up, and the highest in the evening. It should be borne in mind that the female body temperature is on average 0.5°C higher than the male body, and can vary significantly depending on the menstrual cycle.

It is interesting to note that representatives of different nationalities have different body temperatures. For example, in most healthy Japanese people the body does not heat above 36.0°C, and in the inhabitants of the Australian continent the temperature is considered to be 37.0°C. Human organs also have different temperatures: the oral cavity - from 36.8 to 37.3°C, the intestines - from 37.3 to 37.7°C, and the hottest organ is the liver - up to 39°C.

How to measure correctly with a thermometer

To obtain reliable results, the temperature in the armpit should be measured correctly. To do this, you need to perform the following steps sequentially:

• cleanse the skin in the armpit from sweat;
• wipe the thermometer with a dry cloth;
• shake the device until the temperature on the scale drops to 35°C;
• place the thermometer in the armpit so that the mercury capsule fits tightly to the body;
• hold the device for at least 10 minutes;
• Take out the thermometer and see to what point on the scale the mercury has reached.

It is necessary not only to measure the temperature in the mouth with a mercury thermometer correctly, but also carefully so as not to inadvertently bite into a capsule filled with mercury or swallow its contents. The oral temperature of a healthy person is usually 37.3°C. To correctly measure the temperature in your mouth, you need to do the following:

• Before the procedure, lie quietly for a few minutes;
• remove removable dentures from the mouth, if any;
• wipe the thermometer with a dry cloth;
• place the device with a mercury capsule under the tongue;
• close your lips and hold the thermometer for exactly 4 minutes;
• take out the device, determine to what point on the scale the mercury has reached.

Symptoms and causes of increased body temperature

A low-grade fever of 37.0 - 37.5°C is usually considered normal, but is sometimes a sign of pathologies developing in the body. In most cases, a slight increase in body temperature is caused by the following factors:

• prolonged exposure to the sun;
• intense physical activity;
• bath procedures, taking a hot shower;
• cold, viral infection;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• eating hot or spicy food.

Sometimes a rise in temperature to 37°C is provoked not by harmless factors, but by life-threatening diseases. Most often, low-grade fever is established for a long time in case of malignant tumors and early stages of tuberculosis. Therefore, even a slight increase in body temperature should not be treated negligently, and if you feel the slightest discomfort, you should go to the doctor.

Only a medical professional can determine whether a temperature of 37°C is normal for a particular person. In rare cases, doctors have the opportunity to examine amazing patients for whom 38°C is the temperature norm.

A febrile temperature of 37.5 - 38.0°C is a sure sign of the development of an inflammatory reaction in the body. The body of a sick person is deliberately heated to such a level in order to suppress the viability of pathogenic microorganisms in this way.

Therefore, lowering febrile temperature with medications is not recommended. The body needs to be given the opportunity to overcome the infection on its own, and to alleviate the condition, prevent dehydration and get rid of toxic substances, a sick person should drink a lot of warm water.

At a pyretic temperature of 39°C, there is no doubt that an acute inflammatory reaction is occurring in the body. Typically, fever is caused by pathogenic viruses and bacteria that actively multiply in tissues and organs. Less commonly, a significant increase in body temperature is observed with severe injuries and extensive burns.

Pyretic temperature is often accompanied by muscle cramps, so people prone to convulsive conditions must be extremely careful during inflammatory diseases. When the body heats up to 39°C, you must take antipyretic medications. It is not difficult to understand that a fever is starting, since the following symptoms are usually observed:

• malaise, weakness, powerlessness;
• pain in the joints of the limbs;
• weighting of muscles;
• migraine;
• chills;
• heart rhythm disturbance;
• loss of appetite;
• profuse sweating;
• drying of the skin and mucous membranes.

If hyperthermia reaches 40°C, seek immediate medical attention. The highest temperature that the human body can withstand is 42°C. If the body heats up higher, then metabolic reactions in the brain are blocked, the functioning of all organs and systems stops, and the person dies.

The factor that caused the hyperpyretic temperature can only be determined by a medical specialist. But most often, fever is provoked by pathogenic bacteria, viruses, toxic substances, severe burns and frostbite.

You can increase your body temperature in different ways. If the cooling of the body is caused by severe pathologies, then it is impossible to do without medications. If the decrease in temperature is not associated with diseases, then it is not necessary to use pharmaceuticals; it is enough to warm your feet in hot water, sit with a heating pad, and dress warmly. It is also useful to drink hot herbal tea with honey in the evening.

“The norm for each person is an objective, real, individual phenomenon... A normal system is always an optimally functioning system.”

V. Petlenko

Body temperature is a complex indicator of the thermal state of the human body, reflecting the complex relationship between heat production (heat production) of various organs and tissues and heat exchange between them and the external environment. The average human body temperature typically ranges between 36.5 and 37.2 degrees Celsius, due to internal exothermic reactions and the presence of "safety valves" that allow excess heat to be removed through sweating.

The “thermostat” (hypothalamus) is located in the brain and is constantly engaged in thermoregulation. During the day, a person’s body temperature fluctuates, which is a reflection of circadian rhythms (more about which you can read in the previous issue of the newsletter - “Biological rhythms” dated September 15, 2000, which you will find in the “archive” on the newsletter website): the difference between temperature body early in the morning and in the evening reaches 0.5 - 1.0°C. Temperature differences between internal organs (several tenths of a degree) were detected; the difference between the temperature of internal organs, muscles and skin can be up to 5 - 10°C.

In women, the temperature varies depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle; if a woman’s body temperature is usually 37°C, it drops to 36.8°C in the first days of the cycle, before ovulation it drops to 36.6°C, then, on the eve of the next menstruation, it rises to 37.2°C, and then again reaches 37°C. In addition, it has been found that in men the temperature in the testicular area is 1.5 ° C lower than on the rest of the body surface and the temperature of some parts of the body differs depending on physical activity and their position.

For example, a thermometer placed in the mouth will show a temperature 0.5°C lower than that of the stomach, kidneys and other organs. Temperature of various areas of the body of a conventional person at an ambient temperature of 20°C internal organs - 37°C armpit - 36°C deep muscular part of the thigh - 35°C deep layers of the calf muscle - 33°C elbow area - 32°C hand - 28°C center of the foot - 27-28°C The critical body temperature is considered to be 42°C, at which metabolic disorders occur in the brain tissue. The human body is better adapted to cold. For example, a drop in body temperature to 32°C causes chills, but does not pose a very serious danger.

At 27°C, coma occurs, cardiac activity and breathing are impaired. Temperatures below 25°C are critical, but some people manage to survive hypothermia. Thus, one man, covered with a seven-meter snowdrift and dug out five hours later, was in a state of imminent death, and his rectal temperature was 19°C. He managed to save his life. There are two other cases where patients who were hypothermic to 16°C survived.

Fever

Hyperthermia is an abnormal increase in body temperature above 37°C as a result of illness. This is a very common symptom that can occur when there is a problem in any part or system of the body. An elevated temperature that does not subside for a long time indicates a dangerous condition of a person. Elevated temperature can be: low (37.2-38°C), medium (38-40°C) and high (over 40°C). Body temperature above 42.2°C leads to loss of consciousness. If it does not subside, brain damage occurs.

Hyperthermia is divided into intermittent, temporary, permanent and recurrent. Intermittent hyperthermia (fever) is considered the most common type, characterized by daily temperature changes above normal. Temporary hyperthermia means a daytime decrease in temperature to normal levels, and then a new increase above normal. Temporary hyperthermia over a wide temperature range usually causes chills and increased sweating. It is also called septic fever.

Constant hyperthermia is a constant increase in temperature with small differences (fluctuations). Recurrent hyperthermia means alternating febrile and apyretic (characterized by the absence of elevated temperature) periods. Another classification takes into account the duration of hyperthermia: short (less than three weeks) or prolonged. Prolonged hyperthermia can occur when the temperature rises for unknown reasons, when careful examination cannot explain the causes. Infants and young children experience high temperatures for longer periods of time, with greater fluctuations and faster increases in temperature than older children and adults.

Possible causes of hyperthermia

Let's consider the most likely options. Some should not cause you concern, but others may make you worry.

Everything is fine

Mid-menstrual cycle(of course, if you are a woman). For many representatives of the fairer sex, the temperature usually rises slightly during ovulation and normalizes with the onset of menstruation. Return to measurements after 2-3 days.

Evening has come.

It turns out that temperature fluctuations in many people can occur within one day. In the morning, immediately after waking up, the temperature is minimal, and in the evening it usually rises by half a degree. Go to bed and try to measure your temperature in the morning. You recently played sports and danced.

Physically and emotionally intense activities increase blood circulation and warm up the body. Calm down, rest for an hour and then put the thermometer under your arm again. You are slightly overheated.

For example, you just took a bath (water or sun). Or maybe you drank hot or intoxicating drinks or simply dressed too warmly? Allow your body to cool down: sit in the shade, ventilate the room, remove excess clothing, drink soft drinks. So how? 36.6 again? And you were worried! You have experienced severe stress.

There is even a special term - psychogenic temperature. If something very unpleasant has happened in life, or maybe there is an unfavorable atmosphere at home or at work that makes you constantly nervous, then perhaps this is the reason that “warms you up” from the inside. Psychogenic fever is often accompanied by symptoms such as general poor health, shortness of breath and dizziness. Low-grade fever is your norm.

There are people for whom the normal value on the thermometer is not 36.6, but 37 °C or even a little higher. As a rule, this applies to asthenic boys and girls who, in addition to an elegant physique, also have a fine mental organization. Do you recognize yourself? Then you can rightfully consider yourself a “hot thing.”

It's time to see a doctor!

If you do not have any of the above circumstances and at the same time measurements taken with the same thermometer over several days and at different times of the day show inflated numbers, it is better to find out what this may be due to. Low-grade fever can accompany diseases and conditions such as:

Thyrotoxicosis.

In addition to elevated temperature, nervousness and emotional instability, sweating and palpitations, increased fatigue and weakness, weight loss against the background of normal or even increased appetite are most often noted. To diagnose thyrotoxicosis, it is enough to determine the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the blood. Its decrease indicates an excess of thyroid hormones in the body. Iron-deficiency anemia.

Often, iron deficiency occurs due to hidden bleeding, minor but constant. Often their causes are heavy menstruation (particularly with uterine fibroids), as well as stomach or duodenal ulcers, stomach or intestinal tumors. Therefore, it is imperative to look for the cause of anemia.

Symptoms include weakness, fainting, pale skin, drowsiness, hair loss, brittle nails. A blood test for hemoglobin can confirm the presence of anemia. Chronic infectious or autoimmune diseases, as well as malignant tumors.

As a rule, in the presence of an organic cause of low-grade fever, an increase in temperature is combined with other characteristic symptoms: pain in different parts of the body, weight loss, lethargy, increased fatigue, sweating. When palpated, an enlarged spleen or lymph nodes may be detected.

Usually, finding out the reasons for the appearance of low-grade fever begins with a general and biochemical analysis of urine and blood, X-ray of the lungs, and ultrasound of the internal organs. Then, if necessary, more detailed studies are added - for example, blood tests for rheumatoid factor or thyroid hormones. If there is pain of unknown origin and especially with sudden weight loss, consultation with an oncologist is necessary. Post-viral asthenia syndrome.

Occurs after suffering from acute respiratory viral infection. Doctors in this case use the term “temperature tail”. A slightly elevated (subfebrile) temperature caused by the consequences of an infection is not accompanied by changes in tests and goes away on its own. But, in order not to confuse asthenia with incomplete recovery, it is better to donate blood and urine for tests and find out whether leukocytes are normal or elevated. If everything is in order, you can calm down, the temperature will jump and jump and eventually “come to its senses.” In practice, this cause of elevated temperature is rare, but if there is a source of infection, it must be treated. After all, it poisons the entire body.

Thermoneurosis.

Doctors consider this condition as a manifestation of vegetative-vascular dystonia syndrome. Along with low-grade fever, there may be a feeling of lack of air, increased fatigue, sweaty limbs, and attacks of unreasonable fear. And although this is not a disease in its pure form, it is still not the norm.

Therefore, this condition must be treated. To normalize the tone of peripheral vessels, neurologists recommend massage and acupuncture. A clear daily routine, sufficient sleep, walks in the fresh air, regular hardening, and sports (especially swimming) are useful. Psychotherapeutic treatment often produces a lasting positive effect.

Interesting Facts Highest body temperature

July 10, 1980 at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, NY. Georgia, USA, 52-year-old Willie Jones was admitted with heatstroke. His temperature turned out to be 46.5° C. The patient was discharged from the hospital after 24 days. Lowest human body temperature
was registered on February 23, 1994 in Regina, Ave. Saskatchewan, Canada, to 2-year-old Carly Kozolofsky. After the door of her house was accidentally locked and the girl was left in the cold for 6 hours at a temperature of -22°C, her rectal temperature was 14.2°C

From the Guinness Book of Records

Temperature in some animals:
Bat in hibernation - 1.3°
Golden hamster - 3.5°
Elephant - 3.5°
Horse - 37.6°
Cow - 38.3°
Cat - 38.6°
Dog - 38.9°
Ram - 39°
Pig - 39.1°
Rabbit - 39.5°
Goat - 39.9°
Chicken - 41.5°

Lizard in the sun - 50-60°C.

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.

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 the humidified, but of course not hot air, so being at least 70 centimeters from the 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 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 recall 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 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 on 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.

Everyone knows what “thirty-six and six” means. This is generally considered to be the normal human temperature. Everyone also knows that if the thermometer reading is higher or lower than this value, then this is a sign of possible health problems. But the question of how different this reading should be from 36.6 °C in order to consult a doctor often causes difficulty. Let's look at what temperatures are considered normal, low and high by modern medicine.

The number 36.6 was obtained at the end of the 19th century as an average statistical result of measurements in the armpit of a large number of people. You can focus on “36.6”, but the difference is a few tenths of a degree not an indicator of abnormality.

According to doctors, when determining the normal thermal state of the human body, attention should be paid to the following main factors:

• age;
• measurement method;
• daily and seasonal biorhythms;
• current intensity of physical activity or mental activity.

Upper limits Normal values ​​when measured under the armpit depending on age are given in the following table.

In addition, a woman's body is usually 0.5 °C warmer than a man's.

It should also be taken into account measurement method. Compared to the thermometer reading under the arm, the value measured in the mouth is 0.5 °C higher; and in the ear, vagina or anus - by approximately 1.0 °C.

In a healthy person, daily fluctuations are also normal: in the evening the human body is several tenths of a degree colder than in the morning.

It is normal to slightly exceed 36.6 °C during intense physical or mental activity, stress, fear, excessive positive emotions, or during sex.

Temperatures less than 35.0 °C are considered low. A person experiences weakness and malaise, drowsiness and fatigue.

The most common cause is hypothermia, hypothermia in cold weather or in water. In this case tremors appear in the body and numbness of the extremities, especially the fingers and toes. To normalize the body's condition during hypothermia, warm clothing and a hot drink are enough.

Another common cause is the flu or cold. A strong body usually fights them by producing heat, thereby “burning out” the infection and removing it through sweat. But if the immune system is reduced and the body is weakened and does not have the strength to fight the infection, then a decrease in body temperature is noted. It is important not to waste time on self-medication, but to consult a doctor.

There may also be other causes of decreased body temperature:

• exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• hormonal problems, decreased thyroid function, problems with the adrenal glands;
• abuse of drugs and dietary supplements;
• chronic fatigue;
• exhaustion of the body or lack of vitamins;
• large blood loss;
• radiation sickness;
• HIV infection.

If your temperature drops during pregnancy and breastfeeding, you should immediately visit a doctor.

Hyperthermia and fever

Depending on the cause of high fever, modern medicine distinguishes hyperthermia and fever.

Hyperthermia

Hyperthermia is overheating of the body due to excess external heat or poor heat exchange with the environment. The body reacts by dilating skin blood vessels, profuse sweating and other physiological mechanisms of thermoregulation.

If the causes of hyperthermia are not eliminated, then heating the body to 42 ° C can lead to heat stroke, and in the case of people with cardiovascular diseases, even death.

Fever

Fever (in Latin “febris”) is an increase in temperature, which is the body’s protective reaction to pathogenic effect. Common reasons are:

• viral infections;
• inflammatory processes;
• tissue and joint injuries;
• diseases of the cardiovascular, circulatory or endocrine systems;
• weakened immune system;
• allergy.

In young children, the temperature often rises during teething.

Medical classification high temperature is presented in the table.

Temperature dynamics are monitored using temperature curves.

Temperature curves

Graphs of temperature versus time are called temperature curves. They play an important role in diagnosis and prognosis. The horizontal axis shows time values, and the vertical axis shows temperature values. Classification of temperature curves is given in the table.

Type of fever	Latin name	Dynamics of the temperature curve
Constant	Febris continua	Fluctuations in pyretic or febrile body temperature in the range of 1 °C.
Laxative (remitting)	Febris remittens	Daily fluctuations are more than 2 °C.
Intermittent (intermittent)	Febris intermittens	Cycles of a sharp rise to pyretic values ​​and a rapid decline to normal.
Exhaustive (hectic)	Febris hectica	Daily fluctuations are more than 3 °C, that is, higher than with remitting fever. Rapid decline to normal and subnormal values.
Returnable	Febris recurrent	Rapid growth, then lasts for several days and decreases to normal. After some time, a new cycle.
wavy	Febris undulans	Unlike relapsing fever, it gradually increases and decreases.
Perverted	Febris in versa	Evening temperatures are lower than morning temperatures.
Incorrect		The most common type of fever. Chaotic dynamics.

If you are abroad, keep in mind that in the USA, Canada and a number of other countries they use degrees Fahrenheit (°F) rather than Celsius (°C). A value of 36.6 °C corresponds to 98 °F; 0 °C (melting ice) - 32 °F; 100°C (water boiling) - 212°F.