For a long time the temperature is 37. Natural causes of increased temperature in women
If your body temperature rises above 38 degrees, then you most likely have caught a cold. But sometimes it also happens that the body temperature seems to be low - 37, but it lasts for several days or even weeks. Experts call this temperature low-grade, and sometimes it can indicate very serious health problems.
Low-grade body temperature
If your body is like “wool,” your mind is shackled by apathy, and your temperature has been 37 for a week, you need to figure out the reasons why you are in such a deplorable state. Under no circumstances should you panic and call hospitals for an ambulance.
But this condition should not be ignored either. You need to analyze everything, and then you can calmly go to see a therapist.
Low-grade fever causes
1. The most common source of low-grade fever is an incipient cold. A person, as a rule, also feels other symptoms of illness - sore throat, muscle aches, cough, headache, rhinitis, etc.
This temperature can also persist for some period after the illness, when the main symptoms of the infection are eliminated, but the body is recovering gradually, so regulatory processes have not yet returned to normal.
2. Sometimes a condition called thermoneurosis also occurs. Under heavy loads, stress, sudden changes in time and climate zones, thermoregulation may fail. This may happen more often in childhood. But in people with unstable, mobile vegetatives (vegetative-vascular dystonia), thermoneuroses are often observed as a reaction to external influences.
3. If, along with an increase in temperature, there are unpleasant sensations and seething in the stomach, food disgusts you, and you practically do not leave the toilet, then this means an intestinal infection. It is this that can make the temperature last for several days.
4. Elevated temperature may be the result of a psychogenic effect on the consciousness of surrounding phenomena and objects. As a result, you get intense experiences, anxieties and fears that can provoke a painful state.
5. The temperature may also not subside due to a typical fever, which often portends an exotic disease brought from abroad. Under no circumstances should you panic, because this will not improve the situation. In this situation, it is necessary to urgently contact an infectious disease specialist for the necessary tests and treatment.
6. A constant temperature of 37 may be a sign of acquired or congenital hyperthermia, the causes of which can be determined by a qualified specialist.
8. Prolonged fever can also be caused by a tumor - a malignant formation. Therefore, it is better to be on the safe side immediately and consult a doctor to rule out the possibility of such options. You will be sent to the oncologist's office and for laboratory tests.
9. A temperature of 37 may not subside for a week due to autoimmune changes. It is also recommended to visit the hospital and be checked for possible abnormalities in the functioning of the body's systems - to exclude rheumatoid conditions, changes in hormonal balance and disorders of the thyroid gland.
Other causes of low-grade fever
1. Low-grade fever often occurs with pneumonia or pneumonia. After suffering from a cold, people often notice that the temperature remains at 37, there is shortness of breath and a characteristic cough. To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor needs an x-ray of the lungs.
The picture will show everything and confirm or rule out the presence of inflammatory processes. If you have similar symptoms, consult your GP, because pneumonia is a fairly serious disease, especially if left untreated.
2. Neuroinfection. There are infectious agents that can affect the central nervous system. The hypothalamus, a special part of the brain, is responsible for regulating our body temperature. When neurotropic viruses penetrate the body, this part of the brain can be “damaged,” which leads to disruption of the body’s thermoregulation.
Other symptoms of damage to the hypothalamus by viruses include increased fatigue, irritability, and possible sleep problems. In this situation, the help of a therapist is necessary, because with the help of blood tests you can find out whether there is a viral infection or not, and, if necessary, begin treatment.
3. Traumatic brain injuries. They often lead to concussion, and low-grade fever may also be present. In case of a head injury, in any case, you must consult a neurologist and remain calm. Otherwise, everything can end in inflammatory processes in the arachnoid membrane of the brain.
A concussion can be diagnosed using an MRI, based on the results of which the neurologist prescribes drugs that stimulate the metabolism of nerve cells and thereby help them recover faster. Symptoms of a concussion also include headache, dizziness, nausea, a feeling of weakness in the body, increased sweating, tinnitus, and sleep disturbances.
4. Hyperthyroidism. This is a disease in which there is an increased production of hormones by the thyroid gland. This leads to increased metabolism, which accordingly provokes an increase in body temperature.
In the future, a person may begin to experience tremors when their hands shake, tachycardia, irritability and increased sweating may also appear. If such symptoms are present, you should consult an endocrinologist.
Temperature 37 lasts a week
If you feel normal, but the temperature of 37 degrees lasts for a week or even longer, it is quite possible that this condition is common for you. A temperature in the range of 35.7 – 37.2 is considered normal.
Perhaps this is good news
A slight increase in temperature can be caused not only by negative, but also by positive reasons. The fact is that the cause of the increase in temperature may well be pregnancy. This can be determined with a test or blood test. During pregnancy, low-grade fever can accompany a woman even throughout the entire pregnancy.
Both the body’s individual reactions to pregnancy and acquired ARVI symptoms can play a role here. Self-medication in this case is fraught with consequences, so you should safely go to a gynecologist or pharmacist for a consultation to choose the right drug if necessary.
But in general, sometimes a temperature of up to 37.3 in pregnant women is considered normal, and it can either constantly remain at this level or periodically rise to this value.
What to do if you have a low-grade fever?
As mentioned earlier, consultation with a doctor is necessary, since the causes of this condition are purely individual, just like the ways to solve them. In this case, the doctor must prescribe a urine and blood test. A complete blood test usually clearly shows whether there are any hidden processes active in the body that you should be aware of.
If a low-grade fever is observed in a small child, you must definitely call a doctor to rule out a developing disease. However, at the same time, it is necessary to consider whether the child is teething or has recently been vaccinated. If the child is older, attention should be paid to whether he was overexcited at the holiday, whether he overworked himself at school or a section, etc.
Unfortunately, adults are not inclined to seek help at such a low temperature. In this case, we can advise the following: do not take antipyretic medications. You can do something to boost your immunity - introduce fruits rich in vitamin C into your diet, for example, relax and get enough sleep, because it could just be overwork.
If the temperature is accompanied by other symptoms - diarrhea or inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, for example, you will need to be treated by a specialist.
Low-grade fever is a slight increase in body temperature from 37.5 to 37.9 degrees. Higher rates are often accompanied by other signs that help diagnose the disease. But the cause of prolonged low-grade fever is often difficult to determine, and the patient has to visit many doctors and undergo a huge number of tests.
Causes
The human body, as a warm-blooded creature, has the ability to maintain a stable temperature throughout its life. A slight increase in temperature is possible with nervous overstrain, after eating, during sleep and during certain periods of the menstrual cycle. When there is a need to protect the body from the effects of negative environmental factors, the temperature rises to high levels, causing fever and making it impossible for pathogenic microflora to reproduce.
However, the causes of low-grade fever can also be diseases that require the body's immune system to at least minimally raise the temperature to fight them.
Normal indicators
What is normal body temperature? Everyone knows that the average within the normal range is 36.6 degrees. However, an excess of several tenths of degrees is allowed, since the normal human body temperature depends on individual characteristics. For some, the thermometer mark does not rise above 36.2, while others may experience a constant temperature of 37.2.
This indicator is considered normal (37) if a person does not have general weakness, chills, weakness, excessive sweating, fatigue and pain. In children under one year old, the temperature can also remain at a similar level (37-37.3), since babies still have an imperfect thermoregulation system.
However, you need to understand that if a low-grade fever persists for a long time, it means that there is a small inflammatory process in the body that must be detected and eliminated.
Measurement Rules
How to measure temperature correctly? There are several areas that are most often used for these purposes. The most objective data can be obtained by measuring the temperature in the anus or armpit.
Temperature in the anus is most often measured in young children, while in adult patients the traditional place of measurement is the armpit. Each area of the body has its own temperature standards:
- Mouth: 35.5 – 37.5
- Armpit: 34.7 – 37.3
- Anus: 36.6 – 38.0
The main causes of low-grade fever are given in the table.
Low-grade fever due to infections
Temperature during infection is a normal phenomenon, which shows that the body is fighting pathogens. ARVI almost always causes a slight increase in temperature, and is also accompanied by general weakness, pain in the joints and head, runny nose and cough. Low-grade fever in a child can also appear against the background of so-called childhood infections (chickenpox or smallpox) and it is often complemented by other signs of a particular disease.
If a low-grade fever persists for a year or so, the symptoms of illness gradually disappear, but the source of inflammation does not disappear. That is why it is necessary to discover the cause of low-grade fever as quickly as possible, although this can be quite difficult.
There are a number of diseases that cause low-grade body temperature more often than other infections:
- Ulcers that do not scar in patients with diabetes;
- Diseases of the ENT organs (, pharyngitis,);
- Abscesses at the injection site;
- Dental caries;
- Inflammatory processes in the genital organs ();
- Diseases of the digestive system: , ;
- Inflammation of the genitourinary system (cystitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis).
To detect the localization of the inflammatory process, the patient is prescribed a series of tests and examinations:
- General blood and urine tests(an increased leukocyte count or ESR level suggests the presence of inflammation);
- Additional diagnostic methods: X-ray, CT or ultrasound to examine a suspected organ;
- Consultation with highly specialized doctors: dentist, surgeon, gastroenterologist, ENT specialist.
If an inflammatory process is successfully detected, treatment should be started immediately, but it must be understood that chronic diseases are much less amenable to medication than acute forms of the disease.
Infections that are rarely diagnosed
There are a number of infectious diseases that are also accompanied by fever, but are rarely diagnosed.
Brucellosis
This disease most often affects people who, by profession or lifestyle, have frequent contact with animals (for example, farm workers or veterinarians). In addition to low-grade fever, the disease is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- With a vague mind
- Fever
- Deterioration of vision and hearing
- Pain in the joints and head.
- Toxoplasmosis
This infection is also quite common, but in most cases it occurs without any symptoms. Toxoplasmosis occurs in people who eat poorly prepared meat or have frequent contact with cats.
The most common diagnostic method is the Mantoux test. It involves the introduction under the skin of a special protein from the destroyed shell of the tuberculosis pathogen. Protein itself cannot provoke the disease, but skin manifestations indicate the presence or predisposition of a person to tuberculosis.
It is the Mantoux reaction that is considered the most accurate for diagnosing tuberculosis in children:
- The procedure is carried out annually;
- Children under 5 years of age should have a positive Mantoux test (papule size from 5 to 15 mm);
- A negative reaction indicates a congenital predisposition to tuberculosis or poor quality (complete absence) of BCG vaccination;
- If the size of the papule exceeds 15 mm, additional examinations must be carried out;
- A sharp increase in the reaction in comparison with previous examinations is called a turn (infection with a microbacterium). Therefore, such babies are prescribed small doses of special drugs to prevent tuberculosis.
In order for the Mantoux reaction to be objective, it is necessary to adhere to some recommendations:
- Do not get the injection site wet;
- It is important to understand that the test itself cannot provoke tuberculosis;
- Citrus fruits and sweet foods do not affect the size of the papule. An exception may be cases of allergies to these products (see).
Diaskintest is considered a more accurate diagnostic method. The reaction is also assessed after 72 hours, however, the Diaskin test does not depend on the presence or absence of BCG vaccination, and positive results in almost 100 percent of cases indicate infection. However, this exact method may also provide biased data. For example, if the patient had complications after BCG or was infected with the bovine type of tuberculosis.
Treating tuberculosis is vital, although difficult. Without treatment, the disease leads to severe intoxication and causes the death of the patient. That is why it is important to vaccinate children with BCG on time and conduct regular checks. Modern medicines can eliminate tuberculosis, although recently the number of cases of bacterial resistance to drugs has been increasing.
HIV
HIV infection (human immunodeficiency virus) attacks the immune system, making the body susceptible to even the smallest infections. The routes of HIV infection are as follows:
- From mother to fetus;
- During unprotected sexual intercourse;
- Use of contaminated instruments in dentists' or cosmetologists' offices;
- During injections with infected syringes;
- During blood transfusions.
It is impossible to become infected by contact or airborne droplets, since infection requires that a large amount of infection enter the body.
Symptoms of HIV include:
- Muscle and joint pain
- High or low-grade fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Enlarged lymph nodes
The virus can remain hidden in the body and develop for decades. Later, against the background of HIV, AIDS develops, which can be accompanied by the following diseases:
- Thrush in the mouth
- Brain toxoplasmosis
- Pathological changes in the oral mucosa
- Kaposi's sarcoma
- Herpes with multiple relapses
- Dysplasia and cervical cancer
- which cannot be treated with antibiotics
- Molluscum contagiosum
- Sudden and severe weight loss
- Inflammation of the parotid glands
Diagnostic methods that can detect HIV in the body include:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is the simplest test that many workers must undergo at the request of employers. However, a one-time study is not always objective, since the presence of the virus in the blood can be determined several months after possible infection, so the analysis is often performed twice.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the most effective method that allows you to detect the virus in the blood within a few weeks after infection.
- To confirm the diagnosis, an additional method of immune suppression and viral load is performed.
If the diagnosis of HIV has been confirmed, the patient is prescribed antiretroviral drugs. They cannot completely destroy the virus, but at least they significantly slow down the development of AIDS and allow the patient to live longer.
Malignant neoplasms
When a cancer tumor begins to form in the body, metabolic processes change and all organs begin to work differently. As a result, paraneoplastic syndromes appear, including an increase in temperature with tumors to subfebrile levels.
Very often, the development of malignant tumors makes a person more susceptible to other infections, which can cause fever and fever.
It is worth noting that paraneoplastic syndromes very often recur, do not respond well to standard drug therapy, and their manifestations decrease with treatment of the oncological process.
Frequent paraneoplastic syndromes may have the following manifestations:
- Fever that cannot be eliminated;
- Changes in the blood: and anemia;
- Skin manifestations of the syndrome appear: itching without rash or cause, acanthosis nigricans (accompanies gastrointestinal, ovarian and breast cancer and Daria's erythema (breast cancer or).
- Endocrine system disorders, which include hypoglycemia (low glucose levels due to lung or digestive tract cancer), gynecomastia (enlarged breasts in men due to lung cancer) and Cushing's syndrome, which is accompanied by increased production of the hormone ACTH in the adrenal glands (often accompanies malignant tumors in the lungs, prostate, thyroid and pancreas).
However, it is important to consider that such manifestations do not occur in all patients. But if a constant low-grade fever is accompanied by one of the symptoms listed above, you should definitely consult a doctor for a diagnosis.
Viral hepatitis B and C
With viral hepatitis, severe intoxication of the body occurs and the temperature rises. The disease begins differently for each patient. Someone immediately begins to suffer from pain in the hypochondrium, fever appears, and in others, manifestations of viral hepatitis are practically absent.
Sluggish viral hepatitis manifests itself as follows:
- Pain in muscles and joints
- General weakness and malaise
- Slight yellowing of the skin
- Increased sweating
- Low-grade fever
- Discomfort in the liver after eating.
It is important that most viral hepatitis is chronic, so symptoms may become more pronounced during an exacerbation (see). You can become infected with viral hepatitis in the following ways:
- From mother to fetus
- During unprotected sexual intercourse
- From contaminated syringes
- Through unhygienic medical instruments
- During blood transfusion
- While using contaminated dental or cosmetic instruments.
To diagnose viral hepatitis, the following examinations are carried out:
- ELISA is an analysis that detects antibodies to hepatitis. This diagnostic method allows not only to determine the phase of the disease, but also the risks of infection of the fetus and to divide hepatitis into acute and chronic.
- PCR is a highly accurate method that allows you to detect the smallest particles of the virus in the blood.
The acute form of viral hepatitis is often not treated, but is limited to symptomatic therapy. Exacerbation of chronic viral hepatitis is eliminated with antiviral drugs, and the patient is also prescribed choleretic drugs. Chronic hepatitis without appropriate treatment can lead to cirrhosis and cancer.
Anemia
Anemia is a separate disease or concomitant pathology in which the level of hemoglobin in the blood decreases. This pathology can occur for many reasons, but the most common is iron deficiency in gastrointestinal diseases. Anemia can be caused by vegetarianism, chronic bleeding and during heavy menstruation. There is also hidden anemia, in which hemoglobin remains normal, but the iron content is reduced.
The main signs of overt and hidden anemia are:
- Urinary and fecal incontinence
- Slight increase in temperature during anemia to subfebrile levels
- Feeling unwell in stuffy rooms
- Constantly cold extremities
- Stomatitis and inflammation of the tongue (glossitis)
- Loss of strength and decreased performance
- Dry skin and itching
- Dizziness and headache
- Tendency to eat inedible foods and aversion to meat
- Dull and brittle hair and nails
- Increased sleepiness during the day
If many of the above-described signs are present, the patient is recommended to undergo additional tests to confirm the presence of anemia. First of all, a blood test is performed for hemoglobin and ferritin levels, and as an additional examination, diagnostics of the digestive tract is prescribed. When the diagnosis is confirmed, the patient is prescribed (Tardiferon, Sorbifer). The course of treatment often lasts 3-4 months and is necessarily accompanied by the intake of ascorbic acid.
Thyroid diseases
The disease hyperthyroidism provokes increased activity of the thyroid gland and an increase in temperature to at least 37.2 degrees. Signs of the disease are:
- Constant low-grade fever
- Sudden weight loss
- Increased irritability
- High blood pressure
- Rapid pulse
- Loose stool
For diagnosis, a blood test for hormone levels and an ultrasound of the gland are performed, and according to the data obtained, appropriate treatment is prescribed.
Autoimmune diseases
These pathologies are associated with the fact that the body begins to destroy itself. The immune system malfunctions and causes inflammatory processes in various tissues and organs. This also provokes an increase in temperature. The most common autoimmune diseases are:
- Sjögren's syndrome
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Diffuse goiter of a toxic nature
- Thyroid disease - Hashimoto's thyroiditis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
In order to diagnose such pathologies in a timely manner, the patient needs to undergo a number of tests and examinations:
- LE cell analysis is used to determine systemic lupus erythematosus
- The ESR indicator allows you to determine the presence of inflammation in the body
- Rheumatoid factor
- Blood test for C-reactive protein
Treatment begins only after confirmation of the diagnosis and includes taking hormonal drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs that reduce the activity of the immune system. High-quality treatment allows you to keep the disease under control for a long time and reduce the number of relapses.
Psychogenic factors
Low-grade fevers very often appear with accelerated metabolism, which can occur with mental disorders. If a person is constantly stressed and suffers from overwork, metabolism is the first to be disrupted. To avoid psychogenic factors of fever, the following examinations of the patient’s mental state should be performed:
- Check on the emotional excitability scale
- Give the patient a questionnaire to detect mental attacks
- Tested using the Toronto Alexithymic Scale
- Diagnosed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
- Fill out an individual topological questionnaire
- An examination is carried out using the Beck scale.
After receiving data on your mental state, you need to contact a psychotherapist and start taking tranquilizers or antidepressants. Often, low-grade fever disappears when the patient calms down.
Low-grade fever caused by drugs
Long-term use of certain drugs can cause an increase in temperature to low-grade fever. Such means include:
- Preparations based on thyroid hormone (thyroxine)
- Adrenaline, norepinephrine and ephedrine
- Narcotic-based painkillers
- Drugs against Parkinson's disease
- Antihistamines and antidepressants
- During chemotherapy to treat cancer
- Antibiotics
- Neuroleptics
Discontinuation or replacement of the drug will help eliminate the elevated temperature.
Consequences of diseases
Low-grade fever in children
The causes of low-grade fever in a child can be all the factors described above. However, due to the imperfection of the thermoregulation system, children are not recommended to lower their temperature to 37.5. If the baby eats well and behaves actively, it is not advisable to look for the cause of low-grade fever or somehow deal with it. But if in children older than one year the fever persists for a long time and is accompanied by general weakness and lack of appetite, you should consult a doctor.
Method for detecting the cause of low-grade fever
Basically, even a prolonged increase in temperature to subfebrile levels is not associated with serious pathologies. But to rule out serious pathologies, you should consult a doctor. During diagnosis, the following algorithm is used:
- Determine the nature of the temperature (infectious or non-infectious)
- General blood, urine and stool tests for worm eggs
- A biochemical blood test is necessary to determine the presence of C-reactive protein
- X-ray of the respiratory organs and sinuses
- Ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract and heart
- Bacteriological culture of urine to diagnose possible inflammation in the genitourinary system
- Tuberculosis tests.
If the cause has not been found, additional diagnostics are performed:
- They consult with a rheumatologist, psychotherapist, hematologist, oncologist and phthisiatrician.
- Brucellosis, viral hepatitis, toxoplasmosis and HIV are excluded by performing appropriate tests.
Thank you
Temperature increase body to low subfebrile levels is a fairly common occurrence. It can be associated with various diseases, or be a variant of the norm, or be an error in measurements.
In any case, if the temperature remains at 37 o C, it is necessary to report this to a qualified specialist. Only he, after conducting the necessary examination, can say whether this is a normal variant or indicates the presence of a disease.
Temperature: what can it be?
It should be borne in mind that body temperature is a variable value. Fluctuations during the day in different directions are acceptable, which is quite normal. None symptoms it is not accompanied. But a person who first discovers a constant temperature of 37 o C can be extremely worried about this.A person's body temperature may be as follows:
1.
Reduced (less than 35.5 o C).
2.
Normal (35.5-37 o C).
3.
Increased:
- subfebrile (37.1-38 o C);
- febrile (above 38 o C).
What you need to know about normal temperature:
- According to statistics, the most common normal body temperature is 37 o C, and not 36.6 o C, contrary to popular belief.
- The norm is physiological fluctuations in thermometry readings during the day for the same person within 0.5 o C, or even more.
- In the morning hours, lower readings are usually observed, while body temperature in the afternoon or evening can be 37 o C, or slightly higher.
- In deep sleep, thermometry readings may correspond to 36 o C or less (as a rule, the lowest readings are observed between 4 and 6 o'clock in the morning, but a temperature of 37 o C or higher in the morning may indicate pathology).
- The highest measurement data is often recorded from approximately 4 pm until night (for example, a constant temperature of 37.5 o C in the evening hours may be a normal variant).
- In old age, normal body temperature may be lower, and its daily fluctuations are not so pronounced.
Where can you measure body temperature:
1.
In the armpit.
Despite the fact that this is the most popular and simplest measurement method, it is the least informative. The results obtained can be influenced by humidity, room temperature and many other factors. Sometimes there is a reflex increase in temperature during measurement. This may be due to anxiety, for example, from a doctor's visit. When thermometry is performed in the oral cavity or rectum, such errors cannot occur.
2.
In the mouth (oral temperature):
its values are usually 0.5 o C higher than those determined in the armpit.
3.
In the rectum (rectal temperature):
normally it is 0.5 o C higher than in the mouth and, accordingly, 1 o C higher than in the armpit.
Determining the temperature in the ear canal is also quite reliable. However, an accurate measurement requires a special thermometer, so this method is practically not used at home.
It is not recommended to measure oral or rectal temperature with a mercury thermometer; you should use an electronic device for this. For thermometry in infants, there are also electronic dummy thermometers.
Do not forget that a body temperature of 37.1-37.5 o C may be associated with an error in measurements, or talk about the presence of pathology, for example, an infectious process in the body. Therefore, consultation with a specialist is still required.
Temperature 37 o C - is this normal?
If the thermometer shows 37-37.5 o C, don’t get upset or panic. Temperatures greater than 37 o C may be associated with measurement errors. To ensure accurate thermometry, the following rules must be observed: 1. The measurement should be carried out in a calm, relaxed state, no earlier than 30 minutes after physical activity (for example, a child’s temperature after active play can be 37-37.5 o C or higher).
2. In children, measurements may be significantly elevated after screaming and crying.
3. It is better to carry out thermometry at approximately the same time, since low readings are more often observed in the morning, and in the evening the temperature usually rises to 37 o C and above.
4. When conducting thermometry in the armpit, it should be completely dry.
5. Where measurements are taken in the mouth (oral temperature), it should not be taken after eating or drinking (especially hot drinks), if the patient is short of breath or breathing through the mouth, or after smoking.
6. Rectal temperature may increase by 1-2 o C or more after physical activity or a hot bath.
7. A temperature of 37 o C or slightly higher can occur after eating, after physical activity, against a background of stress, anxiety or fatigue, after being in the sun, when being in a warm, stuffy room with high humidity or, conversely, excessively dry air.
Another common cause of a temperature of 37 o C and above can always be a faulty thermometer. This is especially true for electronic devices, which quite often produce measurement errors. Therefore, when you receive high readings, determine the temperature of another family member - in case it will also be high. And it’s even better to always have a working mercury thermometer in the house for this case. When an electronic thermometer is still indispensable (for example, to determine the temperature of a small child), immediately after purchasing the device, take measurements with a mercury thermometer and an electronic one (for any healthy family member). This will make it possible to compare the results and determine the error in thermometry. When conducting such a test, it is better to use thermometers of different designs; you should not take the same mercury or electric thermometers.
4.
Diseases of the reproductive system.
When women have a temperature of 37-37.5 o C and pain in the lower abdomen, this may be a sign of infectious diseases of the genital organs, for example, vulvovaginitis. A temperature of 37 o C and higher can be observed after procedures such as abortion, curettage. In men, fever may indicate prostatitis.
5.
Diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Infectious inflammatory processes in the heart muscle are often accompanied by low levels of fever. But, despite this, they are usually accompanied by severe symptoms such as shortness of breath, heart rhythm disturbances, swelling and a number of others.
6.
Foci of chronic infection.
They can be found in many organs. For example, if the body temperature is kept within 37.2 o C, then this may indicate the presence of chronic tonsillitis, adnexitis, prostatitis and other pathologies. After sanitization of the infectious focus, fever often goes away without a trace.
7.
Children's infections.
Often, a rash and a temperature of 37 o C or higher may be a symptom of chickenpox, rubella or measles. The rash usually appears at the height of the fever and may be accompanied by itching and discomfort. However, a rash can be a symptom of more serious diseases (blood pathology, sepsis, meningitis), so if it occurs, do not forget to call a doctor.
There are often situations when, after an infectious disease, the temperature remains at 37 o C or higher for a long time. This feature is often called a "temperature tail". Elevated temperature readings may persist for several weeks or months. Even after taking antibiotics against an infectious agent, a reading of 37 o C can remain for a long time. This condition does not require treatment and goes away on its own without a trace. However, if, along with a low-grade fever, cough, rhinitis or other symptoms of the disease are observed, this may indicate a relapse of the disease, complications, or indicate a new infection. It is important not to miss this condition, as it requires consultation with a doctor.
Other causes of low-grade fever in a child are often:
- overheat;
- reaction to preventive vaccination;
- teething.
One of the common reasons for a child's temperature to rise above 37-37.5 o C is teething. In this case, thermometry data rarely reaches figures above 38.5 o C, so usually just monitoring the baby’s condition and using physical cooling methods is enough. Temperatures above 37 o C can be observed after vaccination. Usually the indicators are kept within the subfebrile range, and if they increase further, you can give the child a one-time antipyretic drug. An increase in temperature as a result of overheating can be observed in those children who are excessively wrapped and dressed. It can be very dangerous and cause heat stroke. Therefore, if the baby overheats, he should first be undressed. An increase in temperature can occur in many non-infectious inflammatory diseases. As a rule, it is accompanied by other quite characteristic signs of pathology. For example, a temperature of 37 o C and diarrhea streaked with blood may be symptoms of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. In some diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, low-grade fever may appear several months before the first signs of illness.
An increase in body temperature to low levels is often observed against the background of allergic pathology: atopic dermatitis, urticaria and other conditions. For example, shortness of breath with difficulty in exhaling, and a temperature of 37 o C or higher, can be observed during exacerbation of bronchial asthma.
Low-grade fever can be observed in pathologies of the following organ systems:
1.
The cardiovascular system:
- VSD (vegetative dystonia syndrome) - a temperature of 37 o C and slightly higher can indicate sympathicotonia, and is often combined with high blood pressure, headaches and other manifestations;
- high blood pressure and temperature 37-37.5 o C can occur with hypertension, especially during crises.
3. Respiratory system: a temperature of 37-37.5 o C may accompany chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
4. Nervous system:
- thermoneurosis (habitual hyperthermia) – often observed in young women, and is one of the manifestations of vegetative dystonia;
- tumors of the spinal cord and brain, traumatic injuries, hemorrhages and other pathologies.
6. Kidney pathology: a temperature of 37 o C and higher may be a sign of glomerulonephritis, dysmetabolic nephropathies, and urolithiasis.
7. Genital organs: low-grade fever can be observed with ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids and other pathologies.
8. Blood and immune system:
- a temperature of 37 o C accompanies many immunodeficiency conditions, including oncology;
- a slight low-grade fever can occur with blood pathologies, including common iron deficiency anemia.
Indicators of 37-37.5 o C are a variant of the norm after surgery. Their duration depends on the individual characteristics of the body and the volume of surgical intervention. A slight fever may also occur after some diagnostic procedures, such as laparoscopy.
Which doctor should I contact if I have an elevated body temperature?
Since an increase in body temperature can be due to a wide range of different reasons, the choice of a specialist to contact at a high temperature is determined by the nature of the other symptoms the person has. Let's consider which doctors should be contacted in various cases of increased body temperature:- If, in addition to fever, a person has a runny nose, pain, sore or sore throat, cough, headaches, aches in muscles, bones and joints, then it is necessary to contact general practitioner (), since we are most likely talking about ARVI, colds, flu, etc.;
- If you have a cough that does not go away for a long time, or a constant feeling of general weakness, or a feeling that it is difficult to breathe, or whistling when breathing, then you should consult a general practitioner and phthisiatrician (sign up), since these signs may be symptoms of either chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, or tuberculosis;
- If elevated body temperature is combined with pain in the ear, leakage of pus or fluid from the ear, runny nose, scratchy, raw or sore throat, a feeling of mucus flowing down the back of the throat, a feeling of pressure, fullness or pain in the upper cheeks (cheekbones under the eyes) or above the eyebrows, then you should contact otolaryngologist (ENT) (make an appointment), since most likely we are talking about otitis media, sinusitis, pharyngitis or tonsillitis;
- If elevated body temperature is combined with pain, redness of the eyes, photophobia, leakage of pus or non-purulent fluid from the eye, you should contact ophthalmologist (make an appointment);
- If elevated body temperature is combined with pain when urinating, lower back pain, frequent urge to urinate, then you need to consult a urologist/ nephrologist (make an appointment) And venereologist (make an appointment), because a similar combination of symptoms may indicate either kidney disease or a sexually transmitted infection;
- If elevated body temperature is combined with diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and nausea, then you should contact infectious disease doctor (make an appointment), since such a set of symptoms may indicate an intestinal infection or hepatitis;
- If elevated body temperature is combined with moderate abdominal pain, as well as various symptoms of dyspepsia (belching, heartburn, feeling of heaviness after eating, bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, etc.), then you should contact Gastroenterologist (make an appointment)(if there is none, then see a therapist), because this indicates diseases of the digestive tract (gastritis, gastric ulcer, pancreatitis, Crohn's disease, etc.);
- If elevated body temperature is combined with severe, unbearable pain in any part of the abdomen, then you should urgently contact surgeon (make an appointment), since this indicates a serious condition (for example, acute appendicitis, peritonitis, pancreatic necrosis, etc.) requiring immediate medical intervention;
- If elevated body temperature in women is combined with moderate or mild pain in the lower abdomen, discomfort in the genital area, or unusual vaginal discharge, then you should contact gynecologist (make an appointment);
- If elevated body temperature in women is combined with severe pain in the lower abdomen, bleeding from the genitals, severe general weakness, then you should urgently contact a gynecologist, since these symptoms indicate a serious condition (for example, ectopic pregnancy, uterine bleeding, sepsis, endometritis after abortion, etc.), requiring immediate treatment;
- If elevated body temperature in men is combined with pain in the perineum and in the prostate gland, then you should contact a urologist, as this may indicate prostatitis or other diseases of the male genital area;
- If elevated body temperature is combined with shortness of breath, arrhythmia, edema, then you should contact a therapist or cardiologist (make an appointment), since this may indicate inflammatory heart diseases (pericarditis, endocarditis, etc.);
- If elevated body temperature is combined with joint pain, skin rashes, marbling of the skin, impaired blood flow and sensitivity of the extremities (cold hands and feet, blue fingers, feeling of numbness, goosebumps, etc.), red blood cells or blood in urine, pain when urinating or pain in other parts of the body, then you should contact rheumatologist (make an appointment), since this may indicate the presence of autoimmune or other rheumatic diseases;
- Temperature in combination with rashes or inflammations on the skin and ARVI symptoms may indicate various infectious or skin diseases (for example, erysipelas, scarlet fever, chickenpox, etc.), therefore, if such a combination of symptoms appears, you should contact a therapist, infectious disease specialist and dermatologist (make an appointment);
- If an elevated body temperature is combined with headaches, surges in blood pressure, or a feeling of interruptions in heart function, then you should consult a therapist, as this may indicate vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- If elevated body temperature is combined with tachycardia, sweating, or enlarged goiter, then it is necessary to contact endocrinologist (make an appointment), as this may be a sign of hyperthyroidism or Addison's disease;
- If elevated body temperature is combined with neurological symptoms (for example, obsessive movements, loss of coordination, deterioration of sensitivity, etc.) or loss of appetite, causeless weight loss, then you should contact oncologist (make an appointment), since this may indicate the presence of tumors or metastases in various organs;
- An elevated temperature, combined with very poor health, which worsens over time, is a reason to immediately call an ambulance, regardless of what other symptoms the person has.
What studies and diagnostic procedures can doctors prescribe when body temperature rises to 37-37.5 o C?
Since body temperature can rise against the background of a wide range of different diseases, the list of studies that the doctor prescribes to identify the causes of this symptom is also very wide and variable. However, in practice, doctors do not prescribe the entire possible list of examinations and tests that could theoretically help identify the cause of elevated body temperature, but use only a limited set of certain diagnostic tests that with the maximum probability allow identifying the source of the temperature. Accordingly, for each specific case, doctors prescribe a different list of tests, which are selected in accordance with the accompanying symptoms that a person has in addition to elevated body temperature, and indicating the affected organ or system.Since most often elevated body temperature is caused by inflammatory processes in various organs, which can be either infectious in origin (for example, sore throat, rotavirus infection, etc.) or non-infectious (for example, gastritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, etc. .), then always if it is present, regardless of the accompanying symptoms, a general blood test and a general urinalysis are prescribed, which allows one to navigate in which direction the further diagnostic search should go and what other tests and examinations are necessary in each specific case. That is, in order not to prescribe a large number of studies of different organs, they first do a general blood and urine test, which allows the doctor to understand in which direction to “look” for the cause of the elevated body temperature. And only after identifying an approximate range of possible causes of temperature, other studies are prescribed to clarify the pathology that caused hyperthermia.
Indicators of a general blood test make it possible to understand whether the temperature is caused by an inflammatory process of infectious or non-infectious origin, or is not associated with inflammation at all.
So, if ESR is increased, then the temperature is caused by an inflammatory process of infectious or non-infectious origin. If the ESR is within normal limits, then the elevated body temperature is not associated with the inflammatory process, but is caused by tumors, vegetative-vascular dystonia, endocrine diseases, etc.
If, in addition to the accelerated ESR, all other indicators of a general blood test are within normal limits, then the temperature is due to a non-infectious inflammatory process, for example, gastritis, duodenitis, colitis, etc.
If a general blood test reveals anemia, and other indicators, except hemoglobin, are normal, then the diagnostic search ends here, since the elevated temperature is caused precisely by the anemic syndrome. In such a situation, anemia is treated.
A general urine test allows you to understand whether there is pathology of the urinary system. If there is one according to the analysis, then other studies are carried out in the future to clarify the nature of the pathology and begin treatment. If urine tests are normal, then to find out the cause of the elevated body temperature, the urinary system organs are not examined. That is, a general urine test will allow you to immediately identify the system in which the pathology caused an increase in body temperature, or, on the contrary, dismiss suspicions of diseases of the urinary tract.
Having determined from a general analysis of blood and urine the fundamental points, such as infectious or non-infectious inflammation in a person, or a non-inflammatory process at all, and whether there is pathology of the urinary organs, the doctor prescribes a number of other studies to understand which organ is affected. Moreover, this list of examinations is already determined by the accompanying symptoms.
Below we present options for lists of tests that a doctor may prescribe for elevated body temperature, depending on other accompanying symptoms a person has:
- For a runny nose, sore throat, sore or raw throat, cough, headache, aching muscles and joints, usually only a general blood and urine test is prescribed, since such symptoms are caused by ARVI, flu, colds, etc. However, during an influenza epidemic, a blood test may be prescribed to detect the influenza virus to determine whether a person is dangerous to others as a source of influenza. If a person often suffers from colds, then he is prescribed immunogram (sign up)(total number of lymphocytes, T-lymphocytes, T-helpers, T-cytotoxic lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, NK cells, T-NK cells, NBT test, assessment of phagocytosis, CEC, immunoglobulins of classes IgG, IgM, IgE, IgA ), to determine which parts of the immune system are not working correctly and, accordingly, what immunostimulants need to be taken to normalize the immune status and stop frequent episodes of colds.
- At a temperature combined with a cough or a constant feeling of general weakness, or a feeling that it is difficult to breathe, or whistling when breathing, it is imperative to do Chest x-ray (make an appointment) and auscultation (listen with a stethoscope) of the lungs and bronchi to determine whether a person has bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia or tuberculosis. In addition to x-rays and auscultation, if they do not give an accurate answer or their result is questionable, the doctor may prescribe sputum microscopy, determination of antibodies to Chlamydophila pneumoniae and respiratory syncytial virus in the blood (IgA, IgG), determination of the presence of mycobacterial DNA to distinguish between bronchitis, pneumonia and tuberculosis and Chlamydophila pneumoniae in sputum, bronchial washings or blood. Tests for the presence of mycobacteria in sputum, blood and bronchial washings, as well as sputum microscopy, are usually prescribed when tuberculosis is suspected (either asymptomatic persistent prolonged fever or fever with cough). But tests for determining antibodies to Chlamydophila pneumoniae and respiratory syncytial virus in the blood (IgA, IgG), as well as determining the presence of Chlamydophila pneumoniae DNA in sputum, are carried out to diagnose bronchitis, tracheitis and pneumonia, especially if they are frequent, long-lasting or untreatable antibiotics.
- Temperature, combined with a runny nose, a feeling of mucus running down the back of the throat, a feeling of pressure, fullness or pain in the upper part of the cheeks (cheekbones under the eyes) or above the eyebrows, requires a mandatory x-ray of the sinuses (maxillary sinuses, etc.) (sign up) to confirm sinusitis, sinusitis or other type of sinusitis. In case of frequent, long-term sinusitis or that cannot be treated with antibiotics, the doctor may additionally prescribe the determination of antibodies to Chlamydophila pneumoniae in the blood (IgG, IgA, IgM). If the symptoms of sinusitis and elevated body temperature are combined with blood in the urine and frequent pneumonia, then the doctor may prescribe a test for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA, pANCA and cANCA, IgG) in the blood, since in such a situation systemic vasculitis is suspected.
- If the elevated temperature is combined with a feeling of mucus running down the back wall of the throat, a feeling that cats are scratching in the throat, soreness and soreness, then the doctor prescribes an ENT examination, takes a smear from the oropharyngeal mucosa for bacteriological culture in order to determine the pathogenic microbes that caused inflammatory process. The examination is usually carried out without fail, but a swab from the oropharynx is not always taken, but only if a person complains of the frequent occurrence of such symptoms. In addition, if such symptoms appear frequently and do not go away even with antibiotic treatment, the doctor may prescribe the determination of antibodies to Chlamydophila pneumonia and Chlamydia trachomatis (IgG, IgM, IgA) in the blood, because these microorganisms can provoke chronic, often recurrent infectious and inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system (pharyngitis, otitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia, bronchiolitis).
- If an elevated temperature is combined with pain, a sore throat, enlarged tonsils, the presence of plaque or white plugs in the tonsils, or a constantly red throat, then an ENT examination is required. If such symptoms persist for a long time or appear frequently, the doctor will prescribe a smear from the oropharyngeal mucosa for bacteriological culture, as a result of which it will become known which microorganism provokes the inflammatory process in the ENT organs. If the sore throat is purulent, then the doctor will definitely prescribe blood tests for the ASL-O titer in order to identify the risk of developing complications of this infection such as rheumatism, glomerulonephritis, myocarditis.
- If the temperature is combined with pain in the ear, discharge of pus or any other fluid from the ear, then the doctor must conduct an ENT examination. In addition to the examination, the doctor most often prescribes bacteriological culture of ear discharge to determine which pathogen caused the inflammatory process. In addition, tests may be prescribed to determine antibodies to Chlamydophila pneumonia in the blood (IgG, IgM, IgA), to determine the titer of ASL-O in the blood, and to detect herpes virus type 6 in saliva, oropharyngeal scrapings, and blood. Tests for antibodies to Chlamydophila pneumonia and for the presence of herpes virus type 6 are performed to identify the microbe that causes otitis. However, these tests are usually prescribed only for frequent or long-term otitis media. A blood test for the ASL-O titer is prescribed only for purulent otitis in order to identify the risk of developing complications of streptococcal infection, such as myocarditis, glomerulonephritis and rheumatism.
- If elevated body temperature is combined with pain, redness in the eye, as well as discharge of pus or other fluid from the eye, then the doctor must perform an examination. Next, the doctor may prescribe a culture of the discharge from the eye for bacteria, as well as a blood test for antibodies to adenovirus and IgE content (with particles of dog epithelium) in order to determine the presence of an adenovirus infection or allergy.
- When elevated body temperature is combined with pain when urinating, lower back pain or frequent trips to the toilet, the doctor will first and without fail prescribe a general urine test, determination of the total concentration of protein and albumin in daily urine, urine test according to Nechiporenko (sign up), Zimnitsky test (sign up), as well as a biochemical blood test (urea, creatinine). In most cases, these tests can determine whether you have kidney or urinary tract disease. However, if the above tests do not provide clarity, the doctor may prescribe Cystoscopy of the bladder (make an appointment), bacteriological culture of urine or scraping from the urethra to identify a pathogenic pathogen, as well as determination by PCR or ELISA of microbes in scraping from the urethra.
- If you have a fever accompanied by pain when urinating or frequent trips to the toilet, your doctor may order tests for various sexually transmitted infections (for example, gonorrhea (sign up), syphilis (sign up), ureaplasmosis (sign up), mycoplasmosis (sign up), candidiasis, trichomoniasis, chlamydia (sign up), gardnerellosis, etc.), since such symptoms may also indicate inflammatory diseases of the genital tract. To test for sexually transmitted infections, your doctor may prescribe vaginal discharge, semen, prostate secretions, a urethral smear, and blood. In addition to tests, it is often prescribed Ultrasound of the pelvic organs (sign up), which allows us to identify the nature of changes occurring under the influence of inflammation in the genital organs.
- With elevated body temperature, which is combined with diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and nausea, the doctor first prescribes a stool test for scatology, a stool test for helminths, a stool test for rotavirus, a stool test for infections (dysentery, cholera, pathogenic strains of intestinal sticks, salmonellosis, etc.), stool analysis for dysbacteriosis, as well as scraping from the anal area for culture in order to identify the pathogenic pathogen that provoked the symptoms of intestinal infection. In addition to these tests, the infectious disease doctor prescribes blood test for antibodies to hepatitis A, B, C and D viruses (sign up), since such symptoms may indicate acute hepatitis. If a person, in addition to fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting and nausea, also has yellowness of the skin and sclera of the eyes, then only blood tests for hepatitis (antibodies to hepatitis A, B, C and D viruses) are prescribed, since this indicates specifically about hepatitis.
- If there is an elevated body temperature, combined with abdominal pain, symptoms of dyspepsia (belching, heartburn, flatulence, bloating, diarrhea or constipation, blood in the stool, etc.), the doctor usually prescribes instrumental studies and a biochemical blood test. For belching and heartburn, a blood test for Helicobacter pylori and fibrogastroduodenoscopy (FGDS) (), which allows you to diagnose gastritis, duodenitis, gastric or duodenal ulcers, GERD, etc. For flatulence, bloating, periodic diarrhea and constipation, the doctor usually prescribes a biochemical blood test (activity of amylase, lipase, AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, concentration of protein, albumin, bilirubin), a urine test for amylase activity, a stool test for dysbacteriosis and scatology and Ultrasound of the abdominal organs (make an appointment), which allow you to diagnose pancreatitis, hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, biliary dyskinesia, etc. In complex and unclear cases or suspected tumor formations, the doctor may prescribe MRI (sign up) or x-ray of the digestive tract. If there are frequent bowel movements (3-12 times a day) with unformed feces, banded stools (feces in the form of thin ribbons) or pain in the rectum, then the doctor prescribes colonoscopy (make an appointment) or sigmoidoscopy (sign up) and stool analysis for calprotectin, which allows identifying Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, intestinal polyps, etc.
- In case of elevated temperature in combination with moderate or mild pain in the lower abdomen, discomfort in the genital area, abnormal vaginal discharge, the doctor will definitely prescribe, first of all, a smear from the genital organs and an ultrasound of the pelvic organs. These simple studies will allow the doctor to determine what other tests are needed to clarify the existing pathology. In addition to ultrasound and smear on flora (), the doctor may prescribe tests for sexually transmitted infections ()(gonorrhea, syphilis, ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis, candidiasis, trichomoniasis, chlamydia, gardnerellosis, fecal bacteroids, etc.), to identify which vaginal discharge, scraping from the urethra or blood are donated.
- At elevated temperatures, combined with pain in the perineum and prostate in men, the doctor will prescribe a general urine test, prostate secretion for microscopy (), spermogram (), as well as a smear from the urethra for various infections (chlamydia, trichomoniasis, mycoplasmosis, candidiasis, gonorrhea, ureaplasmosis, fecal bacteroides). In addition, the doctor may prescribe an ultrasound of the pelvic organs.
- At a temperature combined with shortness of breath, arrhythmia and edema, it is imperative to do ECG(), chest x-ray, Ultrasound of the heart (sign up), as well as take a general blood test, a blood test for C-reactive protein, rheumatic factor and titer ASL-O (sign up). These studies allow us to identify the existing pathological process in the heart. If the studies do not clarify the diagnosis, the doctor may additionally prescribe a blood test for antibodies to the heart muscle and for antibodies to Borrelia.
- If an elevated temperature is combined with skin rashes and symptoms of ARVI or flu, then the doctor usually prescribes only a general blood test and examines the rashes or redness on the skin in various ways (under a magnifying glass, under a special lamp, etc.). If there is a red spot on the skin that grows over time and is painful, the doctor will order an ASL-O titer test to confirm or deny erysipelas. If the skin rash cannot be identified during the examination, the doctor may take a scraping and prescribe it under microscopy to determine the type of pathological changes and the causative agent of the inflammatory process.
- If the temperature is combined with tachycardia, sweating and enlarged goiter, you should do Ultrasound of the thyroid gland (), and also take a blood test for the concentration of thyroid hormones (T3, T4), antibodies to steroid-producing cells of the reproductive organs and cortisol.
- When the temperature is combined with headaches, surges in blood pressure, a feeling of interruptions in the work of the heart, the doctor prescribes blood pressure monitoring, ECG, ultrasound of the heart, ultrasound of the abdominal organs, REG, as well as a general blood test, urine test and biochemical blood test (protein, albumin). , cholesterol, triglycerides, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, C-reactive protein, AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, lipase, etc.).
- When the temperature is combined with neurological symptoms (for example, loss of coordination, deterioration of sensitivity, etc.), loss of appetite, causeless weight loss, the doctor will prescribe a general and biochemical blood test, a coagulogram, as well as an x-ray, Ultrasound of various organs (sign up) and, possibly, tomography, since such symptoms may be a sign of cancer.
- If the temperature is combined with pain in the joints, rashes on the skin, marbling of the skin, impaired blood flow in the legs and arms (cold hands and feet, numbness and a crawling sensation, etc.), red blood cells or blood in the urine and pain in other parts of the body, this is a sign of rheumatic and autoimmune diseases. In such cases, the doctor prescribes tests to determine whether a person has joint disease or an autoimmune pathology. Since the spectrum of autoimmune and rheumatic diseases is very wide, the doctor first prescribes X-ray of joints (sign up) and the following nonspecific tests: complete blood count, concentration of C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor, lupus anticoagulant, antibodies to cardiolipin, antinuclear factor, IgG antibodies to double-stranded (native) DNA, ASL-O titer, antibodies to nuclear antigen, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), antibodies to thyroid peroxidase, the presence of cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and herpes viruses in the blood. Then, if the results of the listed tests are positive (that is, markers of autoimmune diseases are found in the blood), the doctor, depending on which organs or systems have clinical symptoms, prescribes additional tests, as well as X-rays, ultrasound, ECG, MRI, to assess the degree of activity of the pathological process. Since there are many tests to identify and evaluate the activity of autoimmune processes in various organs, we present them in a separate table below.
| Organ system | Tests to determine the autoimmune process in the organ system |
| Connective tissue diseases |
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| Joint diseases |
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| Antiphospholipid syndrome |
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| Vasculitis and kidney damage (glomerulonephritis, etc.) |
|
| Autoimmune diseases of the digestive tract |
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| Autoimmune liver diseases |
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| Nervous system |
|
| Endocrine system |
|
| Autoimmune skin diseases |
|
| Autoimmune diseases of the heart and lungs |
|
Temperature 37-37.5 o C: what to do?
How to bring down the temperature to 37-37.5 o C? Reducing this temperature with medications is not required. They are used only in cases of fever above 38.5 o C. The exception is an increase in temperature in late pregnancy, in young children who have previously had febrile convulsions, as well as in the presence of severe diseases of the heart, lungs, nervous system, the course of which may worsen against the background of high fever. But even in these cases, it is recommended to reduce the temperature with medications only when it reaches 37.5 o C and above.The use of antipyretic drugs and other methods of self-medication can complicate the diagnosis of the disease and also lead to unwanted side effects.
In all cases, the following recommendations must be followed:
1.
Think: are you doing thermometry correctly? The rules for taking measurements have already been discussed above.
2.
Try changing the thermometer to eliminate possible errors in measurements.
3.
Make sure that this temperature is not normal. This is especially true for those who have not previously regularly measured their temperature, but have detected elevated data for the first time. To do this, you need to contact a specialist to exclude symptoms of various pathologies and order an examination. For example, if a temperature of 37 o C or slightly higher is constantly detected during pregnancy, and there are no symptoms of any diseases, this is most likely the norm.
If the doctor has identified any pathology leading to an increase in temperature to subfebrile levels, then the goal of therapy will be to treat the underlying disease. It is likely that after healing the temperature will return to normal.
In what cases should you contact a specialist immediately:
1.
Low-grade body temperature began to rise to febrile levels.
2.
Although the fever is mild, it is accompanied by other severe symptoms (severe cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, difficulty urinating, vomiting or diarrhea, signs of exacerbation of chronic diseases).
Thus, even a seemingly low temperature can be a sign of serious illness. Therefore, if you have any doubts about your condition, you should inform your doctor about them.
Prevention measures
Even if the doctor has not identified any pathology in the body, and a constant temperature of 37-37.5 o C is normal, this does not mean that nothing can be done at all. Long-term low-grade fevers are chronic stress for the body. To gradually bring your body back to normal, you should:
- promptly identify and treat foci of infection and various diseases;
- avoid stress;
- to refuse from bad habits;
- follow a daily routine and get enough sleep;
Body temperature 37 - 37.5 - reasons and what to do about it?
Before use, you should consult a specialist.
A temperature that rises to 37–38°C is called low-grade fever. This state of the body should not cause panic. Low-grade fever most often indicates physical or mental fatigue, emotional stress, and nervous breakdown after stressful situations.
But it happens that elevated body temperature does not want to subside after a week. Is this normal or a sign of serious pathology? What to do in this situation?
What does low-grade fever mean?
In humans, like all warm-blooded animals, the body does not heat above a certain value, and also does not cool below a certain level throughout life. The temperature of a healthy person, measured in the armpit, is 36.6°C.
But daily fluctuations in temperature within one degree are quite acceptable; they are usually observed after a night's sleep, a hearty lunch, stressful situations, hard and tiring work. Also, minor changes in temperature may indicate the development of mental pathologies, and in women, certain phases of the menstrual cycle.
Interestingly, not all healthy people have a temperature of 36.6°C.
- For some individuals, their body does not heat up above 36.2°C throughout their entire lives, and a certain number of people have to live with a temperature of 37.0 - 37.2°C.
- But still, for the vast majority of the world's population, elevated temperature is a sure sign of a slowly developing inflammatory reaction. Therefore, low-grade fever should not be taken lightly: if the temperature remains above 37°C for a week, then you should definitely go to the doctor.
In an adult, low-grade fever helps to activate metabolism and suppress the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms. But in a child under one year of age, a temperature of 37°C may be normal, since the thermoregulation function has not yet been established in the infant’s body. It should also be taken into account that errors are possible when measuring body temperature with a thermometer.
The thermometer shows incorrect values if a person sweats in hot and heavy clothes, sunbathes on the beach, or plays sports. The body also warms up slightly in people suffering from thyrotoxicosis.
Why does the temperature rise to 37 degrees and last for weeks?
In an adult, body temperature can jump a degree or two under the influence of various factors. Frequent causes of low-grade fever are the following pathologies:
- allergic reactions;
- viral diseases;
- bacterial infections;
- inflammatory processes in muscle or joint tissue;
- changes in hormonal levels;
- heart attack;
- hemorrhages in internal organs.
It should be understood that a temperature of 37 – 38°C is not an independent disease. It only warns about the development of an inflammatory reaction in the body. Low-grade fever that does not subside within a week can be considered normal only in the following cases:
- with constant and intense sports loads;
- in the second half of the menstrual cycle;
- when the female body enters menopause;
- during pregnancy and lactation.
In women who are breastfeeding, the temperature can remain at 37°C for a week, or even 2 weeks. The heat becomes especially noticeable in the first few days of milk formation in the mammary glands. But young mothers should know that low-grade fever during lactation, accompanied by pain in the chest, is often a sign of purulent mastitis.
If a low-grade fever is followed by a cough, then we can confidently speak about the development of an acute respiratory disease in the body. Body temperature always increases with the following pathologies of the respiratory system:
- cold;
- flu;
- rhinitis;
- angina;
- bronchitis;
- laryngitis.
A temperature that lasts a week or longer at 37.0 - 37.5°C may be a symptom of severe pathological processes that occur slowly in the body. Low-grade fever is recorded in people suffering from the following serious diseases:
- infections in the intestinal tract;
- tuberculosis;
- toxoplasmosis;
- helminthiasis;
- ulcerative colitis;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- systemic lupus erythematosus.
The temperature can be maintained at 37°C for more than a week in case of diseases of the heart and circulatory system, nervous disorders, chronic disorders of the functioning of the lungs, and after surgical interventions. Also, the thermometer often shows a high temperature in case of immunity deficiency and the appearance of malignant tumors.
Sometimes doctors record a slight fever in patients due to hypertension, autonomic dysfunction, or chronic adrenocortical insufficiency. Moreover, with these diseases, low-grade fever is accompanied by migraine, loss of appetite, lethargy and impotence.
- If, when the temperature rises to 37.0 - 37.5°C, pain occurs in the abdominal cavity, then problems with the gastrointestinal tract or urinary system can be suspected.
- Low-grade fever is accompanied by infectious inflammation of the ureters and bladder, kidney pathologies, and cystitis. In women, prolonged low-grade fever and pain in the lower abdomen are symptoms of gynecological diseases of an infectious nature.
- A slight fever can also warn of the proliferation of worms in the intestines.
Many people begin to worry if, due to simple respiratory diseases, their temperature does not drop from 37°C for a long time, and remains elevated even for the 3rd week. With a mild cold that occurs without symptoms, there is nothing to worry about: the low-grade fever will disappear as soon as the immune system has completely dealt with the infection.
But if respiratory pathology, in addition to fever, is accompanied by pain in muscle tissue, a profuse runny nose, and swollen lymph nodes, then you need to urgently go to the doctor.
How does low-grade fever help the body?
Low-grade fever is a protective factor of the body. It helps the immune system destroy infection. Pathogenic microorganisms die after almost two days of continuous exposure to high temperature. Therefore, prolonged low-grade fever brings benefits to the body during infectious diseases; medical experts do not recommend bringing it down.
Also, during low-grade fever, the body actively synthesizes interferon, a protein important for maintaining immunity, making cells immune to the effects of viruses. But it should be borne in mind that at a body temperature of 37 - 38°C, not all types of pathogenic microorganisms die; some microbes are not sensitive to slight heat.
At what temperature should you call an ambulance?
If at a low-grade fever a person can live normally for a week or longer, then when the body heats up to 40°C in just one day, serious disruptions to the body’s functioning occur. In case of extreme heat, you should definitely call for medical help.
- A temperature of 41°C is called critical, at which a person experiences convulsions.
- A temperature of 42°C is considered fatal; at it, irreversible negative changes begin in the brain.
In this situation, it is impossible to delay medical intervention, otherwise the person will die. Fortunately, according to medical statistics, critical temperature is diagnosed extremely rarely; in ordinary infectious diseases it is almost not observed.
How to treat temperature 37-38
There is no need to bring down a low-grade fever that is not accompanied by other symptoms, even if it lasts for a week. When the temperature is artificially lowered, the immune system’s fight against infection is delayed and recovery is delayed. Antipyretics for mild fever are indicated for use only in the following cases:
- in the third trimester of pregnancy;
- for nervous disorders;
- for severe pathologies of the cardiac and pulmonary systems.
You should immediately go to the doctor if your low-grade fever suddenly rises to a high level. Also, you should not ignore a visit to the doctor and a medical examination if, in addition to fever, the following symptoms occur:
- intense cough;
- pain in the chest;
- urge to vomit;
- urinary problems;
- difficulty breathing.
High temperature is most often a symptom of inflammatory respiratory diseases. It is impossible to quickly cure a cold or flu, but it is quite possible to bring down a strong fever to alleviate the condition of a sick person.
When the temperature rises significantly, doctors prescribe antibiotics to patients, but in most cases, taking an antipyretic drug is enough to reduce the fever. You should not immediately grab medications; it is advisable to first try to bring down the fever not with medications, but with other methods described below.
- Fluid intake. In extreme heat, the human body becomes dehydrated within 24 hours. Therefore, at high temperatures, it is imperative to drink enough water. Drinking plenty of drinks allows you to cool your body a little. Teas with lemon, raspberry or currant branches, honey, and natural berry juices are suitable for the treatment of acute respiratory diseases.
- Vodka rubdowns. To reduce fever, it is useful to wipe the sick person with a towel soaked in vodka. When ethyl alcohol evaporates from the skin, the body cools. After the procedure, the patient will be cold and may even experience chills. But there is no need to worry: this is a normal reaction of the body. Instead of vodka, you can use food vinegar for wiping.
- Enema. An enema based on an aqueous solution of an antipyretic drug helps to cope with severe fever. This method of treatment should be used only as a last resort, when the fever does not want to go away for a long time.
Antipyretic medications should be handled with caution. Taking them is indicated if the high temperature persists throughout the day or gradually increases to a critical level. Pharmacies sell a huge number of antipyretic drugs; the following drugs are considered the most reliable, effective and popular:
- Paracetamol;
- Ibuprofen;
- Aspirin.
It should be remembered that both antibiotic and antipyretic medications have side effects, so you should not get carried away with taking them. With excessive use of antibiotics and anti-fever drugs, a sick person may experience a blood clotting disorder and irritation of the gastric mucosa.
Attention, TODAY only!
Do you feel drowsiness, loss of energy and apathy? All of these can serve as symptoms of fever. So, the thermometer confirmed your fears. The temperature does not drop below 37 degrees for a long time - a week, two, a month... What to do? No, of course, the situation is not critical, there is no acute threat to life and there is no need to call a resuscitation team either. However, it is strictly necessary to find out the reason.
Why is the temperature rising?
Elevated human temperature is a protective reaction of our body. It is caused by pyrogens. These are special substances that, on the one hand, can serve as waste products of a number of pathogenic microorganisms, and on the other hand, can be produced by our immune cells. In simple terms, temperature is the weapon with which our body fights viruses. At 38°C it produces interferon. It is this that poses a threat to pathogenic microorganisms.
As a rule, with such symptoms, the patient is prescribed antibiotics, as well as drugs to reduce fever. The latter is destructive not only for viruses, but also for our body, putting a strong strain on the heart and lungs. A completely different matter is a body temperature of 37 degrees, which doctors call low-grade. It can last for a long time, and finding out its cause can be difficult even for experienced therapists after a thorough medical examination. What does a temperature of 37 degrees mean?
No reason to panic
Reason number one is the absence of any reasons, forgive the tautology! School anatomy textbooks and medical encyclopedias have ingrained in our minds the fact that normal human temperature is exactly 36.6 degrees. Anything less than this value is an indicator of loss of strength, and anything more is a symptom of an infection or inflammatory process. But is this always true?
It turns out that the temperature norm is individual for everyone and can vary between 35.5-37.5 degrees. This vital indicator is influenced by a number of factors - gender and age, level of physical activity, hormonal levels. In some cases, it may depend on temperature and humidity, as well as time of day. Between five and eleven o'clock in the evening its value can rise by 0.5 degrees. In children, in some cases, the normal temperature can reach 37.5 degrees. Sometimes it increases in women during menstruation and menopause. However, a temperature of 37 in an adult is not an alarming signal only when no other symptoms are observed. Otherwise, you should immediately consult a therapist to avoid serious consequences.
Cold is the main suspect
If you have had it for a long time, you should first look for the causes in colds. As a rule, it is accompanied by other symptoms - headache, body aches, runny nose, sore throat and an incipient dry cough. Low-grade fever can persist even after suffering from acute viral diseases. The body needs some time to regain strength and normalize its basic indicators.
Complications of colds and viral diseases
However, colds and viral diseases, due to our negligence, on the one hand, and the resistance of modern strains of viruses to antibiotics, on the other, can develop into chronic tonsillitis and have other complications. Inflammatory processes in the tonsils (both pharyngeal and palatine) can also cause a temperature of 37. To avoid such negative consequences, colds and viral diseases must be treated until all symptoms completely disappear and the temperature returns.
Is it a cold?
“Temperature 37, I have a cold,” such messages are not uncommon on thematic forums. However, are you sure that this is precisely and not, say, focal pneumonia? We are often mistaken in believing that the main thing is high temperature. It is a myth. The thermometer shows 37 degrees. The temperature is not critical, but requires your attention. If she is accompanied by a cough and general weakness, then it is better to play it safe and take an x-ray. With this disease, inflammatory processes occur in the lung tissue. Often they are not caused by infections, but against their background a fungal infection may well develop. This disease requires immediate treatment with antibiotics. Remember that late diagnosis worsens the prognosis. Despite the availability of various types of powerful antibiotics, in cases of advanced pneumonia, death is possible.
If in the last century tuberculosis was considered a disease of the poor, today, unfortunately, no one is immune from it. The causative agent of this disease is Mycobacterium tuberculosis. According to WHO, every third inhabitant of the Earth is a carrier of it. However, infected does not mean sick. In the first case, microbacteria are not active in the human body. Such people do not experience symptoms of the disease and cannot infect others. However, in case of weakened immunity, which is caused by stress, poor nutrition, excessive exercise and lack of sleep, microbacteria can affect the lungs, and in some cases, other organs and systems.
The number of tuberculosis patients today, only according to official data, is 1% of the population. In reality, this figure is many times higher. Every day, without even knowing it, we often encounter patients with tuberculosis. Representatives of various strata of society are susceptible to this disease. Doctors and pharmacists, public transport drivers and salespeople, kindergarten teachers and university teachers. This disease does not choose. However, with a healthy immune system, you can only become infected from a patient with an open form of tuberculosis. In this case, microbacteria enter the environment with saliva and sputum.
To detect tuberculosis, a fluorographic examination is necessary. In many clinical cases, the temperature remained at 37 for a month, after which the patient was diagnosed with this disease. A slight cough for a long time is another reason to see a doctor. However, tuberculosis is not a death sentence. In the vast majority of cases, this disease can be overcome if you follow the treatment regimen. To prevent tuberculosis today, vaccination is carried out.
Stress as a cause of fever
“The temperature remained at 37 for a month, and then recovered,” many of us have encountered this situation. We almost never associate temperature increases with stress. Today they have become so commonplace for us that we simply do not react to them, which cannot be said about our body. It reacts to external stimuli at the physical and chemical levels. When we are nervous, our blood pressure rises, our heart rate increases, and adrenaline enters our bloodstream. All systems begin to work more actively, resulting in an increase in temperature. It turns out that this phenomenon is so common that experts even coined a special term to describe it - “psychogenic temperature.” In this case, the person may also experience dizziness, shortness of breath and general malaise. Frequent stress can cause chronic fatigue syndrome over time. If you had a temperature of 37 for a month, then this may indicate just that. With this disease, the functions of the nervous, endocrine and immune systems may be disrupted. Simply resting will not relieve such serious consequences. In this case, the help of a specialist is required.
Exacerbation of the “chronicle”
The thermometer shows 37 degrees. Fever can be caused by exacerbation of chronic diseases and inflammation in various organs. Dysfunctions of the cardiovascular system and thyroid gland, peptic ulcers, gastritis, pyelonephritis, etc. For a long time, the main symptom of these diseases may be low-grade fever. It may also be accompanied by pain in certain areas. In these cases, you need to contact a specialist. The temperature will return to normal when the inflammation goes away.
Malignant neoplasms
A slight increase in temperature, especially in the evening, can be caused by malignant neoplasms. Intoxication leads to it. A higher temperature (from 37.5 to 38 degrees) indicates that the process of tumor disintegration has begun in the body, which is accompanied by inflammation. In many cases, oncology develops against the background of existing chronic diseases. However, in some cases, malignant cells can affect healthy tissue and remain silent for a long time. If the temperature remained at 37 for a month, and no acute pain was observed, unfortunately, this is not yet a reason to discard this version. It would be useful to undergo a general examination. The latter is shown annually. Diagnosis of the disease in the early stages is the key to the success of its treatment. One of the countries with the lowest cancer mortality rates today is Israel. The employment contract that specialists sign when applying for a job provides for dismissal if they fail to undergo a medical examination once a year. Such discipline would not hurt us either.
The reason for the temperature rising to 37 degrees may not only not upset you, but also serve as a reason for the greatest joy in life. In some cases, it involves pregnancy. Sometimes low-grade fever accompanies the entire nine months during which a woman carries a fetus. It can be determined by physiological characteristics and the individual reaction of the female body to pregnancy. However, be careful: an increase in temperature in an “interesting position” can also be caused by viral infections and inflammatory processes. Self-medication is fraught with the most negative consequences. Consultation with a gynecologist is strictly required!
Temperature 37: what to do?
The above are possible causes of low-grade fever. But what if, due to the absence of pain and other symptoms, you cannot make even an approximate diagnosis on your own in order to contact a specialist? So, instead of the usual vigor, you feel weakness and loss of strength, and the temperature on the thermometer is 37. What to do? It's time to move on to concrete actions. First of all, you need to see a therapist and take a blood test. If there is inflammation in the body, then its results will show this.
What should you pay attention to?
Can I read the analysis myself? Yes, and you don't need a medical degree for this. On the resulting form with the result you will see your indicator and norm. The disease will be indicated by an increased number of leukocytes, as well as an upward deviation. But hemoglobin, on the contrary, will be reduced. Such results can be caused by a variety of ailments. For more accurate data, it is necessary to undergo a fluorographic examination, as well as an ultrasound of the pelvic and abdominal organs. This will exclude or confirm a number of diseases, in particular tuberculosis.
