Increased temperature

One of the most important characteristics of our body and an indicator of the general condition is temperature. This indicator characterizes the physiological state and tells a lot about the human body. Since childhood, we were all well explained that for a body that is not subject to any disease, the standard and normal temperature is 36.6 ° C. A temperature above 37°C indicates that there is some kind of disease, which, as usual, is accompanied by an inflammatory process.

Fever and potential harm

If you notice a high temperature, the first and logical step would be to immediately start treating the disease, since in most cases the disease is accompanied by an increase in body temperature and is easily diagnosed by the sick person or his relatives. The patient takes complex or anti-inflammatory, antipyretic tablets. Literally after a couple of days of such treatment, the disease goes away and the state of the body returns to normal.

The situation described above occurs quite often, especially at a young age, and we are well acquainted with how to be treated and what needs to be done in the next few days after the onset of such symptoms. But there are times when the situation is not quite standard and even extraordinary. A person accidentally notices an increase in body temperature relative to the normal range, but not much and constantly keeps in the range from 37 ° C to 38 ° C.

Many people wonder if there is a danger in this state for the body. It is possible to accurately deny the danger only in one case, and this case occurs when the patient knows for sure that such a temperature regime of the body is associated with a certain, not very serious infectious disease. He begins treatment and after it the temperature will definitely drop to normal values. But another case arises when the true causes of such a state are unknown.

True, it is worth noting that there are situations when a standard infectious disease, such as a cold, passes without pronounced symptoms, as is usually the case. This happens when the body reacts to the microorganisms that have become the causative agents of the disease, but there are too few of them in the body for the symptoms of the disease to appear. In such a situation, anyway, the temperature will return to normal sooner or later, after a few days or hours, as soon as the body copes with the causative agent of the disease.

Situations often occur during the cold season, during mass epidemics and diseases. At this time, the body is often attacked by microbes, the immune system fights them and the temperature rises, but signs and symptoms of the disease do not appear.

An important factor that everyone should remember and know is that cold-related illnesses (ARVI) most often last no more than a week. And if you take all measures and are treated at home, but the temperature does not decrease, and the symptoms of the disease are not obvious, then this is an occasion to think about the cause of your condition. A persistently elevated temperature can be a sign of a more serious illness than the common cold.

temperature measurement

One of the most important points in the situation that we described above will be the ability to calmly assess the situation. When a problem is identified, when the temperature has been holding and has not dropped for a long time, there is no need to worry in vain and immediately run to the doctors. First you need to try to eliminate the error that sometimes occurs with incorrect measurements and, in general, with an erroneous method of measurement. It often happens that the main problem and cause of concern in the end is a malfunctioning thermometer. Time-tested mercury thermometers work quite stably, but electronic ones are more prone to breakdowns, especially if you decide to save money when buying and choose a budget option. But mercury thermometers are not a model of ideal work either, so a recheck should be carried out with a different device that has not been used before to compare data and be sure of a confirmed result, if this happens anyway.

The most commonly used and convenient method is axillary temperature measurement. There are two more methods: rectal and measurement in the oral cavity (they are less convenient and, when measured, may give indicators slightly higher than the main one).

The most important requirements will be the following: the measurement must be carried out while sitting and in a state of calm. The temperature of the space around you in the room should be normal (room). If you start to neglect these requirements and carry out the test in a room that is too hot or after exertion, the temperature will be higher and the result will not fully reflect the actual state of affairs.

It is also worth mentioning that many people are characterized by a condition in which they have an unstable body temperature (if in the morning it is within the normal range, then in the evening it can approach 37 ° C or 37.1 ° C). For such people, fluctuations in body temperature are an individual norm. But do not forget that drops are sometimes characteristic of the development of certain diseases, so if you have these symptoms, it is still advisable to consult a specialist doctor.

Possible reasons for the increase

If you notice that for a very long time your temperature has exceeded the norm and you cannot understand what is happening on your own, then the smartest solution in this case would be to see a doctor. Only a long and professional examination by specialists will determine both the presence of the disease and the condition for your body, which is a safe norm. But, it will also be useful to familiarize yourself with the possible causes that cause uncomfortable symptoms:

• this may be a variant of the norm;
• changes in the body of a woman who is carrying a child (hormonal background);
• thermoneurosis;
• temperature trace of already transferred diseases;
• development of a tumor or other oncological disease;
• tuberculosis;
• different types of infection;
• AIDS;
• bowel disease.

Causes of temperature increase

This situation is a variant of the norm for approximately 2% of the population of our planet. For many of these people, the normal temperature will not be 36.6 ° C, but a figure slightly above 37 ° C. But, it is worth emphasizing that such a situation is possible only if the variant of the norm is typical for you from childhood itself, and has not developed now. If this has not happened before, you should not consider yourself to this group of people, but immediately contact a specialist.

A fairly long rise in temperature can be caused by an increase in the production of hormones in a pregnant woman, whose body is being rebuilt and trying to adapt to a new type of existence and life. Usually, the increased production of hormones and, as a result, the increased temperature fade away by about the beginning of the second third of the nine-month period.

One of the reasons for a long period of elevated body temperature may also be the processes that take place in the human brain. Psychosis, stress, nervous conditions often lead to increased production of hormones, which in turn provokes an increase in the overall temperature of the human body. An appointment with a neurologist or psychotherapist will help determine if you have a similar condition and, if present, begin an urgent treatment process. The state of constant stress in the end can lead to more disastrous consequences than a prolonged high temperature.

Another reason may be the residual effects of a previously transferred disease, when the immune system continues to “fight” with the residual effects of the disease even after its actual suppression. Therefore, a few weeks after the peak of the disease, the temperature is slightly higher than normal.

Also, the cause of elevated temperature for a long period may be the development of a tumor process, when toxic substances of the tumor metabolism, entering the bloodstream, cause an increase in body temperature. In order to completely discard this option, you need to undergo a thorough examination and pass the appropriate tests. It is such serious diseases as tumors that make us take this symptom seriously.

An autoimmune disease can lead to elevated temperature, the main characteristic of which is the process in which immunity cells, instead of performing their function and fighting foreign elements of the body, begin to perceive the cells of their own body as foreign as a result of a failure.

To the list, you can add toxoplasmosis, which is most often affected by pet owners, or lovers of undercooked meat.

Another cause is the early stage of tuberculosis, characterized by intermittent or persistent fever, sweating and fatigue, and weight loss. If symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor and undergo a diagnosis.

A constant high temperature can also, unfortunately, be one of the primary signs of AIDS infection. To all this, at a temperature in a person with this disease, a rash on the skin, a violation of the stool and susceptibility to infectious diseases will be expressed.

If symptoms are confirmed during personal observation, you should immediately consult a doctor. First of all, you need to visit a general practitioner and consult with him (this doctor will refer you to a specialist depending on your symptoms, and will also recommend that you undergo a general examination).

Sources of