Reasons for temperature rise to 38 - 38.9 in adults

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Shutofedova Ksenia Yurievna

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In adults and children, the first indicator of health is body temperature. Depending on the measurement method, its norms range from 36 to 37 degrees. Any changes to these norms can cause conditions ranging from discomfort and malaise to loss of consciousness. How to figure it out: a temperature of 39 for a strong, struggling organism or a signal of weakened immune function? Let's consider what reasons can upset the temperature balance and what to do at a temperature of 39.

What to do to bring down the temperature

If the mercury reaches 40, the question arises: what to do and how to bring down the temperature? Before taking antipyretic medications, you need to cool the body, for this you should:

• Drink plenty of different liquids (tea, unsweetened compotes and fruit drinks, mineral water and other drinks) to prevent dehydration. It is dehydration that leads to a further rise in temperature. Therefore, by drinking plenty of liquid, a sick person normalizes the water balance in the body. Hot tea with lemon or honey will help in this regard. After the patient drinks it, if perspiration appears on his forehead, it means that the temperature is subsiding.
• The patient can be rubbed with vodka or alcohol, and after rubbing, leave for 10 minutes without a blanket. Definitely, the patient will freeze, but there is no need to worry, because this method is productive and completely safe - it has long been practiced in many clinics.
• The room where the patient is located must be ventilated and controlled so that it does not become hot. But there is no need to create drafts.
• At a temperature of 40, you can apply cold lotions to the forehead, neck, and armpits. You can wrap wet and cool lotions around the patient’s shins for no more than 10 minutes.
• If the temperature is very high, you can take a sitz bath (water temperature 35 degrees). This method will not only help normalize the body’s temperature balance, but will also wash away toxins from the patient’s skin.
• When the temperature lasts a long time and does not drop, an enema with a medicinal antipyretic drug will help. The process of administering an enema is definitely not pleasant, but it is effective; it must be done if other methods of reduction do not help.

Medicines aimed at lowering temperature should be used only when general recommendations for lowering do not help.

The following antipyretics are mainly used:

1. Paracetamol and its analogues.
2. Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Nurofen.
3. Diclofenac, Voltaren.
4. Nimesulide.
5. Acetylsalicylic acid.

Antibiotics cannot be taken; they are prescribed only by a doctor and for bacterial infections, they will not affect the high temperature in any way. Before giving any medicine to a patient, you must read the instructions and carefully read the dosage.

If the temperature is at around 40 and does not seem to subside, no matter what actions are taken, you must seek qualified medical help.

There is a possibility that the mercury could rise, leading to unforeseen consequences that may be irreversible.

When to lower the temperature

Body temperature should be reduced when it exceeds 38.5 0C in children and adults. However, there are conditions when body temperature needs to be reduced if it has reached 38.0 0C:

• child under 2 months;
• presence of cardiovascular pathology;
• oncological diseases;
• epilepsy;
• hypertonic disease.

If the patient previously experienced convulsions or impaired consciousness at a body temperature of 38.5 0C or higher, medications should be taken at 38.0 0C.

Reasons for temperature rise to 39 degrees

Febrile readings on the thermometer, as already mentioned, are due to the development of the pathological process.

It can be of two types:

• Infectious, caused by pathological pathogenic agents.
• Vegetative, caused by disorders of the nervous system.

If we talk about the immediate causes of hyperthermia (increase in temperature) to the level of febrility, there are a great many of them. Among the most common diseases:

Meningitis

It is an inflammation of the membranes of the brain. It develops rapidly with the formation of persistent hyperthermia (body temperature rises to 39-40 degrees).

This is a fairly rare disease these days. According to statistics, every 20,000 inhabitants of the planet had to deal with it.

The danger of meningitis lies, firstly, in the risk of developing shock due to high temperatures, and secondly, in the likelihood of the formation of focal neurological symptoms (including behavioral disorders, intellect, etc.).

Febrile schizophrenia

It is extremely rare in the practice of psychiatrists.

This is practically casuistry (isolated cases), but it is this form of mental disorder that poses the greatest danger to patients with mental illness.

The disease begins with the formation of persistent convulsions, catatonic syndrome. Dyskinesia develops later. Possible death.

Hypothalamic syndrome

The hypothalamus is a special brain structure involved in thermoregulation of the body.

It is thanks to this organ that a person is able to tolerate temperature changes. However, in some cases, the hypothalamus begins to function not as it should.

This may be due to the so-called hypothalamic syndrome. This is an endocrine disease that occurs quite often.

The numbers on the thermometer can reach significant levels, even above 39 degrees.

Tumors of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus

In the first case, compression of the organ occurs and its functions are disrupted; in the second, an invasively growing formation destroys the nuclei of the hypothalamus, leading to persistent hyperthermia.

Thyroid disorders

The thyroid gland is, in a way, the cauldron of the body. If a lot of specific hormones are produced, this leads to a persistent increase in body temperature.

What could be causing this? Thyrotoxicosis, goiter, Hashimoto's thyroiditis (an autoimmune disease when the body mistakes its own thyroid cells for dangerous invaders and initiates a defensive reaction).

Acute laryngitis, tracheitis, pharyngitis

Inflammation of the upper respiratory tract caused by infectious pathogens, especially Staphylococcus aureus, often leads to an increase in body temperature to significant levels.

Pneumonia

Unilateral or bilateral (especially) forms of the disease are accompanied by an increase in temperature to 39-40 degrees.

This is a dangerous and serious disease, often leading to death due to respiratory failure. You can read more about pneumonia here.

Flu, severe ARVI

In the second case, we are talking about a general diagnosis that includes both influenza and other infectious diseases of viral origin. A disease familiar to everyone from childhood can cause significant hyperthermia.

More rare causes include:

• Diseases of childhood carried into adulthood. In adults it is severe. This includes chickenpox, measles, rubella, etc.
• Oncopathology. As a rule, at stages 2-3 we can talk about slight fluctuations in numbers in the range, but if many metastases form, febrile and even pyretic temperature is formed without fail. This is caused by poisoning of the body with decay products or direct damage to the hypothalamus.
• Rheumatism. A disease that occurs with an increase in temperature. It occurs in people of any age and gender.
• Infections of the genitourinary system. Urethritis, cystitis, pyelonephritis, nephritis, glomerulonephritis. And this is not a complete list. We are talking about forms of the disease that are severe. In all other cases, symptoms may be completely absent.

Taking certain medications

First of all, neuroleptics. Antipsychotics often cause neuroleptic malignant syndrome, which occurs with febrile fever.

• Tuberculosis.
• Heat/sunstroke.
• Significant dehydration.
• Blood poisoning.
• Other infectious diseases (dysentery, cholera, etc.).

As you can judge, the list of reasons is long. It is possible to understand the initial factors of hyperthermia only based on the results of diagnostic measures.

Temperature does not go down - when to call an ambulance

After using paracetamol or ibuprofen, body temperature should decrease at a rate of 0.5–1 0 C per hour. However, sometimes the fever remains at the same level, while the patient’s well-being worsens. In what cases should you call an ambulance or go to the hospital yourself if:

• taking medications according to the regimens described above did not produce any effect;
• for “white” fever, analgin had no effect;
• fever is combined with concomitant pathologies: epilepsy, intracranial hypertension, hydrocephalus, congenital heart defects;
• against the background of fever, the patient refuses to drink and eat, has difficulty breathing and cannot sleep;
• fever is accompanied by severe abdominal pain and incessant vomiting.

If the temperature rises, even despite taking medications, most likely this is a pathological variant of fever - hyperthermic syndrome, in which antipyretic drugs are not effective. This is also one of the reasons to call an ambulance and be hospitalized.

What to do if an adult has a high temperature

Let's look at cases when a high temperature is observed in an adult, what to do when the fever lasts a long time and is accompanied by other symptoms. As a general rule, you should definitely remember that it is better not to self-medicate, but to seek help from doctors. The doctor will always better understand what is happening in the body, and you will recover in a short time.

No symptoms

A high temperature without symptoms in an adult is sometimes not a sign of illness and a cause for concern for health. This is how the body carries out thermoregulation, for example, when a person is overheated in the sun in the summer or after intense physical activity or training. Sometimes fever is a reaction to stress. If within 2 days the temperature does not return to normal, you should definitely see a specialist, because this is how many hidden diseases manifest themselves: abscess, infections, allergies, injuries, neoplasms, etc.

For diarrhea and high fever

There are signs of an infectious disease of the digestive system. Since diarrhea removes fluid from the body, the first aid will be to restore water and mineral balance. For this purpose, you need to increase your fluid intake; a good option would be to use rehydron, which is sold at the pharmacy. To remove the causes of gastrointestinal upset, you need to consult a doctor to prescribe antibiotics.

High fever and vomiting

Such symptoms indicate acute poisoning of the body with low-quality food or chemicals (for example, in production, household chemicals). If an adult has a high fever or diarrhea, what to do? In this case, you need to drink a lot of water, which will help flush out toxins. It is recommended to do an enema to quickly remove toxic substances from the intestines. Remember that these are only emergency measures; in such cases, medical assistance cannot be avoided.

For sore throat

If you have a cold, your throat is red, it hurts to swallow, your body temperature is slightly elevated - these are all the signs of a cold, for which you just need to rest at home. But if the thermometer shows more than 38, this may indicate a sore throat, which is very dangerous due to its complications. Therefore, after rinsing your throat with a soda solution (1 teaspoon per glass of warm water) and wrapping it well in a warm scarf, go to the ENT specialist to make an accurate diagnosis.

High pressure and temperature

If there are signs of a cold: fever, general malaise, drowsiness, which are combined with elevated blood pressure (140/90 mm Hg and above), hypertension should be suspected. In this case, treatment is prescribed by a specialist, but the patient himself needs to adjust his lifestyle and balance his diet. Self-medication and delay in seeing a doctor for such symptoms are strictly prohibited, because a heart attack may be missed, which directly threatens the patient with death.

Headache

This is often a symptom of acute respiratory viral infection, but this is also how meningitis, sinusitis, acute intoxication of the body due to poisoning, and even tumors in the brain manifest themselves. If the usual methods of treating a cold do not have the desired effect, and the headache continues for more than 2 days, and the fever does not decrease, then in order to prevent severe complications, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Lower back pain

Such a symptom in combination with fever can be caused by the influenza virus, or this is how injuries to the muscles in this area make themselves felt. Then you need to lubricate your lower back with special pain-relieving gels or ointments and tie it with a warm bandage. But be careful, lower back pain accompanied by a high temperature may indicate possible inflammatory processes in the kidneys.

Is a temperature of 38.2 °C dangerous?

In most cases, an increase in temperature to febrile levels does not pose a threat to health. In this way, the body resists the destructive effects of infectious agents1,4. It blocks their full reproduction and vital activity, and also, in response to the production of toxins, releases substances that accelerate the synthesis of T-lymphocytes fighting “foreigners”4.

At the same time, if a temperature of 38.2 °C persists for several days without symptoms or there are signs of a weakened immune system, such a condition should be considered very serious, requiring prompt medical attention3.

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How and why the temperature rises

The body reacts to any external influences and changes in the internal environment:

• The thermoregulation center is located in the brain;
• It is affected by prostaglandins synthesized from fatty acids;
• The appearance of these substances indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the body;
• The initial value of the normal temperature in the thermoregulation center changes and the body makes every effort to maintain an elevated temperature;
• After eliminating the pathological process in the body, the biochemical blood parameters return to normal, and the center in the brain sets the coveted 36.6 degrees.

On the one hand, elevated temperature helps fight infection. All living organisms have a certain optimum, a small range of indicators within which these same organisms can exist.

For some pathogenic bacteria, a deviation from the optimal numbers of several degrees is already fatal. There is only one problem - a person is also a living organism and the blood temperature limits are strictly standardized. The vast majority will not be able to survive temperatures of 42 degrees Celsius.

Causes

Temperature is related to the severity of the disease. Not everyone knows why it increases on the 8th, 9th or 10th day from the moment of infection. It is believed that an indicator of 38 degrees indicates the dynamic development of inflammation. In this case, special measures are required to combat the infection.

There is no need to panic, because a late increase in temperature does not always indicate a deterioration in the condition. Cases have been recorded in patients when, precisely after a rise in body temperature above 38 C on days 8-10, a sharp improvement in the course of the disease was observed.

Infectious diseases

Diseases of infectious etiology are caused by bacteria or viruses.

Scarlet fever

The most common source of infection is streptococci. Transmission occurs by droplets or through indirect contact with contaminated objects. The incubation period is 1-7 days.

Symptoms:

• temperature
• headache
• redness of the throat - typical sore throat
• slight rash on the body within 12-48 hours

Treatment:

• easy course - home treatment for at least 6 days
• more severe course is treated inpatiently
• antibiotics are prescribed
• mandatory bed rest

Chickenpox

The source of infection is the chickenpox virus. Transmission of the infection occurs through direct contact with an infected person, a person becomes infectious 2 days before the rash appears, infection remains until the rash dries - that is, about 5 days. The incubation period is 2-3 weeks.

Symptoms:

• spotty rash, later blisters all over the body, on the mucous membranes and scalp
• heat
• fatigue
• severe itching.

Treatment:

• bed rest
• lowering the temperature with antipyretic drugs
• local treatment of the rash.

Recovery occurs within 14 days.

Mumps - mumps

The most common disease in the age group from 5 to 15 years. The source of infection is a virus. Transmission of infection occurs by droplets or through contact with infectious objects. The incubation period is 12-18 days.

Symptoms:

• heat
• headache
• loss of appetite
• pain when chewing and swallowing
• dry mouth

Treatment:

• lowering the temperature with antipyretic drugs
• bed rest
• liquid and mushy products
• plenty of cold drinks - preferably non-acidic juices
• maintaining oral hygiene
• warm compresses to swollen areas

Classification

Generally accepted classification of fever:

• over 37.0, but not more than 37.9 ℃ is called subfebrile hyperthermia;
• if the temperature reaction values ​​are in the range of 38.0-38.9 ℃, then they speak of febrility;
• hectic fever is characterized by the following figures: over 39.0 ℃.

To find out the cause of an elevated temperature without symptoms, you need to know its nature. This is done using a weekly temperature curve graph consisting of morning and evening indicators.

• inverse, that is, the increase occurs not in the evening, but in the morning;
• recurrent or recurring. It is established when, after a febrile period, remission occurs followed by the resumption of hyperthermia;
• wavy - characterized by a gradual increase to high numbers and a subsequent decrease with the repeated formation of individual peaks of increase;
• intermittent - set if daily fluctuations in the numbers on the thermometer exceed 1.0 ℃; atypical - it is quite difficult to follow the patterns of rise and fall of hyperthermia;
• laxative – when fluctuations in values ​​during the day also exceed 1 ℃, but never reach normal values;
• constant - recorded if hyperthermia during the day remains above 38.0 ℃, and fluctuations do not exceed 1.0 ℃.

Thus, the nature and type of fever can help the doctor make a diagnosis. Therefore, with hyperthermic syndrome, it is extremely important to regularly record the level of fever in the morning and evening using a thermometer and write it down on a separate piece of paper.

How to quickly bring down the temperature

In a person, an elevated temperature indicates a malfunction in the body: often in this way he tries to overcome the disease or signals hidden inflammation. And therefore, an unnatural decrease in body temperature is undesirable if we are talking about a low temperature - from 37 to 38 degrees. If the temperature has risen to 38 and continues to rise, then this is a reason to resort to means that will lower it. However, it should be borne in mind that this will prolong the duration of the disease and prevent the body from fully dealing with microbes, which can provoke complications.

How to quickly reduce an adult's temperature?

To begin with, it should be clarified that there is a big difference in the means that it is advisable to use to bring down the temperature in an adult and a child. For example, many doctors do not recommend giving a child non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs because of their harmful effects on the gastrointestinal mucosa. Adults who suffer from gastritis or stomach ulcers. The use of these drugs is strongly discouraged. With a healthy body, an adult’s temperature can be reduced with both medications and folk remedies.

The fastest effect will be obtained by a combination of one and the other: for example, mefenamic acid tablets with rubbing with warm water.

How can you quickly bring down a child's temperature?

A child’s temperature can be brought down using homeopathic medicines, folk remedies or direct-acting medications. The latter can be given at a high temperature, which rises and is not knocked down by other means.

Pharmacists today produce special antipyretics for children in the form of suppositories, suspensions and tablets:

• Nurofen for children;
• children's paracetamol;
• viburkol;
• children's panadol, etc.

Homeopathic medicines are best used with traditional methods to quickly bring down the temperature.

How to quickly bring down a low temperature?

Initially, the temperature of 37 should not drop during a cold. However, there are cases when it lasts a long time or rises at certain times of the day without cold symptoms. A person cannot function normally during this period, but sluggish chronic throat diseases or neurosis often give just such a temperature, and the problem is that they are not quickly treated. Therefore, the patient needs to bring down the low temperature.

How to quickly bring down a temperature of 37?

A temperature of 37, if it is caused by a cold, can be brought down with Panadol. If a child gets sick, he can be given Aconite Plus - this is a homeopathic medicine that does not cause harm to the body if the dosage is followed.

How to quickly bring down a high temperature?

It is believed that high temperature starts at 38.5 degrees. In fact, a temperature starting at 38 degrees can be considered high if it gradually increases. Therefore, if the temperature has stopped at around 38 degrees, then with influenza and ARVI this is not a reason to lower it, however, life situations are different, and therefore we will also look at how to bring the temperature down from 38 degrees and above.

How to quickly bring down a temperature of 38?

To bring down the temperature of 38 for an adult, it is enough to take 1 tablet of imet (or an analogue) and take off warm clothes. Drinking plenty of fluids is encouraged - it helps reduce the temperature within 1 hour after 2 mugs of warm tea. A child can also bring down this temperature by drinking plenty of fluids and rubbing with warm water. To quickly bring down the temperature, you will have to resort to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - for example, Nurofen.

How to quickly bring down a temperature of 39?

A temperature of 39 is already dangerous, especially if it tends to rise. Here it is inappropriate to worry about the dangers of antipyretic drugs, and therefore almost all remedies are good. The most effective would be the use of mefenamic acid for both adults and children. Aspirin can only be taken on a full stomach. Also in this case, wiping with a damp towel soaked in warm water or vinegar solution and constant drinking are used. Efferalgan upsa in the form of soluble tablets is also considered effective against high temperature.

RINZA® and RINZASIP® with vitamin C at a temperature of 38.2 °C

To combat the symptoms of colds and flu, RINZA® tablets, hot drink *RINZASIP® with vitamin C and powder for preparing an oral solution RINZASIP® for children (used from 6 years old) with a pleasant raspberry flavor have been developed5,6,7. These complex action products contain paracetamol, which has antipyretic and analgesic properties5,6,7. Thanks to a specially developed formula that includes a combination of active ingredients, these drugs help relieve the symptoms of colds and flu and alleviate the general condition of the patient5,6,7.

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The information in this article is for reference only and does not replace professional advice from a doctor. To make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment, consult a qualified specialist.

Literature:

1. Chernysheva O.E. Hyperthermia syndrome in children: mechanisms of development, features of the course, methods of therapy. / Chernysheva O.E., Yulish E.I. / To help the pediatrician, No. 3(38), 2012, p. 61-64.
2. L.I. Kalyuzhnaya. Heat disturbances and fever. / L.I. Kalyuzhnaya, D. A. Zemlyanoy // Pediatrician volume VI No. 1 2015, p. 124-133.
3. Delyagin V. M. Fever. The variety of reasons and the complexity of the solution / To help the pediatrician. No. 1 2013, p. 80-83.
4. Tsogoeva L.M. Fever of unknown origin (to help the practitioner). / Tsogoeva L.M., Snopkov Yu.P. // Emergency Medicine No. 5(60), 2014, p. 40-45.
5. Instructions for use of the drug RINZA®. Registration number: P N015798/01.
6. Instructions for use of the drug RINZASip® with VITAMIN C. Registration number: LS-002579.
7. Instructions for use of the drug RINZA® for children. Registration number: LP-001821.

* In accordance with the instructions for use, the contents of 1 sachet (bag) must be poured with hot water and stirred until completely dissolved, resulting in a “hot drink”

How to lower an adult's temperature

Fever is often one of the first signs of a cold. To quickly recover, you need to bring down the temperature in the first days. If the temperature is not very high, you can bring it down yourself without threat to life.

What temperature to lower for an adult

In children, the presence of elevated temperature is considered more dangerous than in adults. The child’s immune system has not finished forming until it is able to fully protect the baby. Therefore, how to bring down a child’s temperature. Every parent should know! The mechanism of the immune system in an adult has already been formed, so it is able to keep the processes of our body under control.

There are many reasons for an increase in temperature in an adult. Changes in temperature are not a disease, they are an indicator of the immune system's response to disturbances in the body. The temperature may rise due to infection, allergies, under the influence of hormonal imbalance, due to the inflammatory process, as well as during a heart attack or bleeding. And this is not the entire list of factors for increasing temperatures. That is, a high temperature indicates the body’s ability to respond to any changes in time, this means that the immune system is always on guard.

Doctors say that high temperature can kill viruses and prevent them from multiplying in the body. You can bring the temperature down to 39 degrees yourself. If your body temperature exceeds 39 degrees, you should urgently call a doctor! Call an ambulance immediately if a person’s temperature rises to 41 degrees. In this case, even convulsions are possible.

How to bring down an adult’s fever: medications

At the first symptoms of a cold, you feel weak, your temperature is slightly elevated, and your performance is reduced. There may be a headache or a feeling of nausea, as if dizzy. To get rid of the first signs of a cold and not go on sick leave, the following medications will help an adult lower their temperature:

• Aspirin, Panadol, paracetamol
• Coldrex hotrem with different flavors: lemon, blackcurrant and honey. The drug relieves cold symptoms, soothes and relaxes.
• Fervex
• Teraflu

There are other medicinal powders that will eliminate the first symptoms of a cold quickly. Most importantly, do not abuse powders and tablets without the advice of a doctor.

Let's not forget about folk remedies. Hot tea or fruit juice with honey, raspberries, lemon and currants will be very helpful. After this, the patient must be put to bed to sweat.

And to bring down a high temperature in an adult, give him 2 tablets of aspirin or paracetamol or acetaminophen every 4 hours. Be sure to drink a lot of water.

How to reduce an adult's temperature using folk remedies

• Add 1 spoon of cognac or vodka to hot tea, go to bed and try to sleep.
• Drink fluids as often as possible, but little by little to avoid vomiting. It would be nice to make hot tea with honey and lemon.
• You can eat lemon, orange or grapefruit. Citrus fruits slightly reduce the temperature, they resist the inflammatory process and strengthen the immune system.
• In the morning, it is necessary to ventilate the room while the patient is not in it. The body definitely needs oxygen.
• Doctors are still arguing about vodka and vinegar. It is impossible to definitively answer whether this product is harmful or beneficial: mix vodka and water in a 1:1 ratio. Wipe the body with a cotton swab, but under no circumstances rub in vodka. Or add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (9%) to water (0.5 l). Then wipe the patient’s body with this solution; there is no need to rush.
• Collect chamomile and hawthorn flowers in a jar, add motherwort and cudweed. All components must be in equal quantities. Brew 1 tablespoon of herbs with a glass of boiling water. Let the mixture brew, and then drink it in small portions throughout the day.

Why can you have a temperature of 38.2 °C without symptoms?

A prolonged increase in temperature to 38.2 °C without signs of a cold or other pathological manifestations may be associated with conditions such as:

• overheating of the body, heat stroke;
• tuberculosis;
• internal purulent abscess;
• inflammatory kidney diseases;
• endocrine pathologies;
• blood diseases;
• hypothalamic syndrome and more2,3.

Due to the wide variety of pathologies accompanied by an asymptomatic increase in temperature, an unreasonable temperature that does not fall for a long time requires mandatory consultation with a doctor.

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