Long-term low-grade fever in a child. Causes of low-grade fever

Low-grade fever, or low-grade fever of unknown etiology, occurs quite often in children. It is characterized by the fact that, for unknown reasons, the child constantly, for several weeks or even months, has a low temperature of 37-37.5 ° C. Sometimes the child’s well-being may suffer (lethargy, decreased performance, increased fatigue), but in other cases it may remain normal.

Figuring out where the temperature is coming from can be quite difficult. Sometimes you need to take a huge number of tests, undergo a lot of additional research and visit more than one medical specialist in order to get to the bottom of the truth. The author allowed himself, without delving into the problem, only to focus attention on its importance and give direction: where to dig. So, low-grade fever in children can be caused by many reasons.

Body temperature from 37 to 37.9 °C is called subfebrile and can persist in a child with enviable consistency for weeks and months. In this case, the child’s well-being may suffer (lethargy, decreased performance, increased fatigue) or remain normal.

In the case where the cause of such a long-term low-grade fever cannot be detected, they speak of low-grade fever of unknown etiology. It occurs quite often in children.

Establishing and eliminating the cause of long-term low-grade fever in a child- is not an easy task, sometimes requiring significant effort on the part of both doctors and parents. In all cases of low-grade fever, the child should be carefully examined, preferably in a hospital. Additional instrumental studies, analyzes and consultations with various specialists are required. Prognosis and treatment depend on the disease that caused the low-grade fever.

Thermoneurosis. In the vast majority of cases the reason low-grade fever in children lies in a persistent disorder of heat exchange as a result of a functional disorder of the temperature center of the brain.

Causes of thermoneurosis:

Autonomic nervous system disorders;

Traumatic brain injuries;

And other neurological disorders.

The child's history includes an unfavorable course of pregnancy and childbirth in the mother, birth trauma, physical or mental trauma, and general overexertion. Functional thermoregulation disorders can be inherited (in 2-3% of cases). Low-grade fever is often provoked by various nonspecific irritants (endocrine disorders during puberty, overexertion, past illnesses, overheating, etc.).

It is typical for thermoneurosis that during sleep the child’s temperature becomes normal. Therefore, it is important to measure body temperature not only during the day, but also during sleep. In all cases of low-grade fever, the child should be thoroughly examined (preferably in a hospital). To determine the cause of the disease, the doctor prescribes an examination plan, including tests, instrumental examinations and consultations with specialists. The diagnosis of “thermoneurosis” is made only if all other possible causes of increased temperature are excluded and the child has any other manifestations of vegetative-vascular distance (fatigue, sleep disturbances, appetite, increased sweating, headache, dizziness, decreased or increased blood pressure, etc.).

You can read more about disorders of the autonomic nervous system in the article “autonomic dystonia syndrome.”

Treatment of low-grade fever in children

Therapy for low-grade fever comes down to eliminating the main cause: treatment of carious teeth, adenoids, chronic tonsillitis, tuberculosis infection, etc. If low-grade fever is caused by thermoneurosis, routine aspects are important in treatment: proper organization of activities and rest, light sports, sufficient time in the fresh air. Psychotherapy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, etc. are used.

Low-grade fevers of various etiologies are common among children. A third of visits to local pediatricians are associated with complaints of increased body temperature. The frequency of visits to a children's clinic for prolonged fever is 10-15%.

Long-term, or protracted, low-grade fever is considered to be an increase in body temperature ranging from 37 ° C to 38 ° C for 2 or more weeks. Among long-term low-grade fevers, 2 groups are distinguished: the first is symptomatic, or infectious, i.e. manifestation of any infectious-inflammatory disease; the second is non-infectious, or functional, and has an independent diagnostic value.

In a healthy child, the daily rhythm of temperature is formed in the first months of life (normally, a newborn’s temperature should not exceed 37 °C), in the first months of life the amplitude of daily fluctuations is minimal, by the age of 2 the fluctuations reach 0.6-1.2°, just like adults. The “horizontal” maximum temperature difference (measured under both hands) in children, as in adults, is 0.5°. “Central” temperature, measured rectally, is 0.8-1.2° higher than the peripheral, axillary temperature.
In its evolutionary essence, an increase in body temperature should be considered as a protective reaction of the body. At the same time, an increase in body temperature is accompanied by a number of damaging effects at various levels of the body. In cases where an increase in body temperature is associated with infection, an antigen-antibody reaction, or tissue necrosis, hyperthermia is pyrogenic. In cases of non-infectious, non-pyrogenic temperature, which often includes prolonged fever, a possible source of pyrogen cannot be identified. This low-grade fever is considered a non-pyrogenic neurosis-like state of thermoregulation centers. Its pathogenetic basis is a violation of heat exchange due to changes in heat transfer during normal heat production, usually in children with impaired reactivity of the thermoregulatory center due to perinatal pathology, mental trauma, overload, and autonomic dysfunction syndrome.
An increase in body temperature of any origin leads to changes in humoral energy factors of the hypoxemic type. Long-term low-grade fever, regardless of its genesis, requires mandatory correction of metabolic changes by therapeutic methods, contrary to the widespread belief that it is harmless, especially in young children.
Classification of long-term low-grade fever
It is customary to distinguish two large groups - pyrogenic (infectious-inflammatory, etc.) and non-pyrogenic (functional) subfebrile conditions. Non-pyrogenic low-grade fever may have an independent diagnostic value (primary) or not (secondary).

Non-pyrogenic subfebrile condition of independent significance (primary) includes
low-grade fever without latent chronic foci of inflammation;
low-grade fever against the background of chronic inflammatory foci outside
exacerbations;
post-infectious low-grade fever.
In all these situations, low-grade fever is the only clinical pathological symptom.
Secondary non-pyrogenic subfebrile conditions include low-grade fever due to organic lesions of the central nervous system (including cerebral palsy); low-grade fever syndrome with delayed motor development; for psychoneurological diseases (schizophrenia, thermoneurosis); endocrine diseases (thyrotoxicosis, hypothalamic syndrome); poisoning with salicylates; malignant hyperthermia; ectodermal dysplasia; Munchausen syndrome.
Pyrogenic, secondary subfebrile conditions that have no independent significance include subfebrile condition due to infectious and inflammatory diseases (chronic tonsillitis, sinusitis, urinary tract infection, yersiniosis, etc.); systemic connective tissue diseases (collagenosis); oncological diseases (tumors, blood diseases); allergic diseases.
There are no specific clinical symptoms of prolonged low-grade fever. One can only note a change in the topography of body temperature, detected using axillary and rectal thermometry and skin electrothermometry. In healthy children, the temperature ratio “central - peripheral” (rectal - axillary) is detected in a decreasing order, with slight fluctuations in skin temperature and asymmetry of up to 0.3-0.6°. With prolonged low-grade fever in children, the normal ratio of central and peripheral temperatures is disrupted with a decrease in the oral-caudal direction (rectal is close to axillary), and a pronounced asymmetry of skin temperature appears.
Despite the variety of causes of hyperthermia, in its diagnosis the first question is whether in each specific case the low-grade fever is infectious, secondary, symptomatic or functional (primary, independent). Diagnosis is not difficult if there are clear symptoms of the underlying disease.
Minimum examination on an outpatient basis, general blood test; general urinalysis; stool analysis for worm eggs; X-ray

chest organs; tuberculin tests; consultation with an otorhinolaryngologist; direct examination of the child.
If a pathology is detected, further specialized examination is carried out in a clinic or the child is hospitalized. In the absence of pathology at the first stage, the second stage is carried out - a targeted clarification of the anamnesis. Clinical and anamnestic signs that make it possible to more reliably identify a group of children with non-infectious low-grade fever include:
age of children under 1 year and over 3 years (influence of feather bed factors
tal risk in children under 1 year of age and post-infectious induction in children
over 3 years old);
duration of low-grade fever for more than 6 months (pyrogenic hyperthermia
myas are difficult to treat, pyrogenic - manifest quite early
have other symptoms);
history of episodes of low-grade fever;
history of previous neurological pathology, including
perinatal;
complaints of increased fatigue, headaches, hyperhidrosis
(the role of the autonomic parts of the nervous system in temperature regulation);
frequent functional disorders of the cardiovascular and other
systems
The peculiarities of temperature curves include the connection between temperature increases and emotional and physical stress, predominantly morning rises, monotony of temperature throughout the day, low subfebrile condition.
The absence of signs of non-infectious low-grade fever serves as a reason for further in-depth examination, preferably in a hospital, in order to identify possible sources of nirogen. If signs of non-infectious low-grade fever predominate, to confirm its genesis at the second stage, then the third stage is carried out on an outpatient basis - specific tests (thermotopometry, aspirin, pyrogenal tests).
Violation of the normal ratio of central and peripheral temperatures, increased proximal-distal differences, pronounced temperature asymmetry in non-infectious subfebrile conditions makes thermotopometry diagnostically significant. It is carried out during the day at 3 points (axillary and rectal) with an interval of 3 hours, followed by registration of the obtained temperature measurement results
The aspirin test involves children taking age-appropriate doses of acetylsali-i alkali acid for two days. In the case of infectious subfeb-

riliteta temperature is normalizing But the test has drawbacks. Non-infectious low-grade fever is often characterized by a periodic nature with several rises against the background of normal body temperature during the day. Against the background of low-grade fever, this makes the effect of aspirin not obvious.
It is known that the administration of pyrogenal to a patient is accompanied by a pronounced nervous reaction. In children with infectious low-grade fever, body temperature rises to 38.4°C and above. At the same time, when pyrogenal is administered to children with non-infectious subfebrile illness, the expected increase in body temperature is not observed; the temperature remains at normal levels. The uniqueness of the reaction to pyrogenal and the possibility of recording a visual increase in body temperature allow it to be used for differential diagnostic purposes.
Pyrochenal test technique: administered 3 days once in children over 5 years old - 100 MPD + 50 MPD + 50 MPD IM (ampoules contain 100 MPD in 1 ml), where MPD is the minimum pyrogenic dose.
If the results of the third stage are negative, further examination can be continued in the clinic; if the results are positive, i.e. with infectious subfebrile condition, examination in a hospital is advisable.
The fourth and final stage of the outpatient examination includes laboratory cytochemical methods for determining alkaline phosphatase and the NBT test. Normal values for all age groups are: alkaline phosphatase - 44.1±3.5 units; NST test - 15.9±1.0 units. The methods are sensitive and allow with a high degree of reliability to identify signs of latent inflammation in the absence of changes in the general blood test.
In the complex treatment of children with low-grade fever, an important place is occupied by the organization of a rational daily and life regimen. It is necessary to limit physical and emotional stress (secondary schools, clubs, extra classes), increase the number of hours of sleep, perhaps through daytime sleep. In the evening, watching television, computer games is limited, a walk before bedtime, and a warm foot bath are required. The thermal regime is normalized; a comfortable temperature is 22-23 °C. In the warm season, low-grade fever most often disappears spontaneously. Children with long-term low-grade fever do not require dietary restrictions. Additional introduction! Unsaturated acids are included in the diet on fatty nights.
Therapeutic action depends on age. Causal relationship with the unfavorable perinatal period, causing hypoxia of the central nervous system,

especially clear in young children, and identified disorders of redox processes in blood cells make it possible to use glutamic acid for treatment, which has an anti-hypoxic effect Doses: up to 1 year - 0.1; up to 2 years - 0.15; to Zlet - 0.25; 5 - 6 years - 0.4; 7 - 9 years - 0.5 - 1.0 2-3 times a day for 1-2 months. Nooclerin orally 1 teaspoon 2-3 times a day 20% solution for 1.5-2 months
In older children, it can be used, the point of application of which is the central structures of the interstitial brain. Of all phenothiazine drugs, it has the most pronounced hypothermic effect, affecting the center of thermoregulation and metabolism by reducing heat production.
Aminazine doses: up to 2 years - 0.01; 3-4 years - 0.015; 5-6 years - 0.02; 7-9 years - 0.03; 10-14 years - 0.05 2 times a day 5-7 days, be sure to take plenty of liquid You can use a 2.5% solution at the rate of 0.04 ml/kg body weight per day orally in drops 2 times a day 5-7 days.
In case of relapses of low-grade fever and in the absence of effect from the isolated use of drugs, a combination of them is prescribed. Thus, drug treatment of low-grade fever should be differentiated depending on the age of the children, prolonged i and low-grade fever, its height and the presence of relapses in the anamnesis
In complex treatment, in addition to medications, it is possible to use physiotherapy (Shcherbak collar with calcium), salt-pine baths, other hydrotherapy procedures, and hardening.
Medical examination of children with long-term low-grade fever is carried out by a local doctor. Clinical observation should be carried out throughout the entire temperature period and for at least a year after complete normalization of body temperature. Until the cause of low-grade fever is determined, it is advisable to conduct preventive examinations of children weekly, and during the treatment period - monthly throughout the entire temperature period. In the future, after complete normalization of the temperature, clinical examination is carried out quarterly. Relapses of long-term low-grade fever most often occur after repeated respiratory diseases, exacerbations of chronic diseases and other exogenous adverse factors and are observed in spring and autumn. An indication for removal from dispensary registration may be the absence of relapses of low-grade fever during the year.
With a comprehensive assessment of the health status of children with long-term non-infectious subfebrile condition, they are assigned to health group II. Children with long-term non-infectious subfebrile condition can attend

general child care institutions with the condition of limiting loads. Preventive vaccinations are carried out for children according to the general calendar in the absence of other contraindications and the proven non-infectious genesis of subfebrile condition. Physical education classes at preschool educational institutions and schools are attended in general groups. Classes in sports sections and clubs are allowed with limited physical activity (without participation in competitions).

A high temperature indicates the presence of a disease. But it happens that the temperature is elevated, but other symptoms are not observed. In this case, doctors use the concept of “low-grade fever.” This condition is often observed in children. What are the causes of low-grade fever and does the child require treatment? This is what we will talk about.

Signs of low-grade fever in children

Low-grade fever is a condition in which the elevated temperature lasts for a long time and can reach 38.3˚C, and there are no obvious signs of the disease.

Against the background of elevated temperature, the following symptoms may be observed:

weakness;
lethargy;
decreased appetite;
excessive sweating;
increased heart rate and breathing;
regurgitation (in babies);
sleep disorders;
increased nervousness.

Typically, low-grade fever is in the range of 37−38.3˚C and lasts for two weeks or more

Most often, long-term low-grade fever occurs in children aged 7–15 years.

Features of the temperature regime in a child

For an adult, the normal body temperature, as you probably know, is 36.6˚C. For a child, it may be lower or higher, and also change throughout the day. In infants, an increase in temperature is observed during feeding or with various concerns. Thus, if it reaches 37.5˚C, this does not always indicate the presence of any disease.

There are a number of factors that affect physiological changes in body temperature in a child:

circadian rhythms - the maximum indicator is observed in the afternoon, the minimum - at night;
age - the younger the child, the more pronounced the temperature fluctuations, which occurs as a result of intensive metabolism;
environmental conditions - in the hot season, the child’s body temperature may also increase;
physical activity and anxiety contribute to an increase in this indicator.

Parents should measure their child's temperature in the morning, afternoon and evening for two weeks and record the results in a notebook.

In full-term newborns, there are no daily temperature fluctuations and appear closer to one month of age.

The main causes of low-grade fever

Low-grade fever may indicate a malfunction in the child’s body. Sometimes she talks about the presence of hidden diseases. In order to promptly treat them, it is necessary to find out the reason that led to low-grade fever.

Infectious diseases

Prolonged fever in children can be caused by the following diseases:

pulmonary tuberculosis (also accompanied by general weakness, loss of appetite, fatigue, increased sweating, prolonged cough, emaciation);
focal infections (sinusitis, cholecystitis, tonsillitis, dental problems and others);
brucellosis, giardiasis, toxoplasmosis;
helminthiasis.

Non-communicable diseases

Non-infectious diseases that lead to long-term low-grade fever include autoimmune disorders and blood diseases. Sometimes the cause of a prolonged increase in body temperature is malignant tumors. Cancers are rare in childhood, but sometimes they affect the child’s body. Also, the reasons that cause low-grade fever include rheumatic diseases, iron deficiency anemia, and allergies. Endocrine diseases also contribute to a prolonged increase in body temperature. As you know, all biological processes occur with the release of heat. The thermoregulation mechanism helps maintain normal body temperature. If the functioning of the adrenal glands is disrupted, a spasm of the superficial vessels of the extremities is observed. This prevents the body from releasing excess heat. As a result, the body temperature rises, and the child's feet and hands may remain cold.

With an infectious low-grade fever, physiological daily temperature fluctuations persist; it is poorly tolerated and goes astray after taking antipyretics. If the cause is a non-infectious disease, daily temperature fluctuations are not observed or are changed, antipyretics do not help.

Consequences of viral diseases

After a viral illness (influenza or acute respiratory viral infection), a “temperature tail” may remain. In this case, the low-grade fever is benign, no changes are observed in the tests, and the condition returns to normal within two months.

In the last century, doctors conducted studies in which the temperature of children from 7 to 15 years old was measured in two educational institutions. It turned out to be elevated in 20% of students. There were no signs of respiratory disease.

Psychogenic disorders

Suspicious, withdrawn, irritable and unsociable children have a high likelihood of developing long-term low-grade fever. Therefore, it is recommended to treat such a child more carefully. Under no circumstances should you shout, ridicule or shame him. It is very easy for vulnerable children to be emotionally traumatized. Also, the cause of low-grade fever can be mental stress. This can happen while waiting for some important event that delivers experience.

Examination methods

To determine if a child has a low-grade fever, daily temperature monitoring is required. It must be measured every 3–4 hours, including during sleep. The diseases that cause this reaction are varied. To accurately establish them, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive examination.

It is important to conduct a comprehensive examination, since undiagnosed subfebrile condition in a timely manner can pose a serious threat to the child

General examination and tests

First, the doctor must conduct a general examination of the child to assess his condition. It is necessary to examine the lymph nodes, abdomen, listen to murmurs in the heart and lungs. You also need to examine the skin, mucous membranes, joints, mammary glands, and ENT organs.

Laboratory examination methods include:

general analysis of urine and blood;
sputum examination;
biochemical, serological blood test;
examination of spinal cord fluid.

Comprehensive clinical and laboratory diagnostics are prescribed to exclude hidden disease.

Instrumental examination methods

Children with elevated body temperature that persists for a long time are prescribed the following procedures:

radiography;
echocardiography;
computed tomography.

An X-ray examination is carried out if there is a suspicion of diseases of the ENT organs or respiratory tract. In such cases, an x-ray of the lungs and paranasal sinuses is prescribed. The causes of prolonged low-grade fever can be autoimmune diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct rheumatological tests.

Aspirin test

In older children, an aspirin test is performed to identify the cause of low-grade fever. It is prescribed to diagnose a possible inflammatory process, as well as a neurological disease. Its essence is to record the temperature after taking aspirin according to the established scheme. First, the child must take half the tablet, and after half an hour his temperature is measured. If it has decreased, an inflammatory process occurs in the body. When the temperature remains unchanged, this means that the cause is a non-infectious disorder.

Consultations with specialists and examinations of parents

If you have a low-grade fever, it is recommended to consult with the following specialists:

a gynecologist (for girls, pelvic examinations are performed);
hematologist (to exclude oncological diseases of the lymphatic tissue and hematopoietic system);
a neurologist (to rule out meningitis);
oncologist (search for focal pathology);
rheumatologist (detection of articular syndromes);
infectious disease specialist (to exclude an infectious process);
phthisiatrician (testing for tuberculosis).

In addition, it is necessary to examine the child’s parents, as well as other family members. This is necessary to detect possible foci of hidden infection that maintains low-grade fever.

Parents must approach the examination of their child with full responsibility. It is necessary to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis so that the doctor can prescribe effective treatment.

Is treatment required?

The first question parents of a child with a low-grade fever ask is whether treatment is necessary. Is therapy required for long-term low-grade fever? There can be only one answer in this case: treatment is necessary. As you know, a constantly elevated temperature does not have the best effect on the functioning of a child’s body, undermining its defenses.

Treatment of low-grade fever in a child consists of eliminating the cause that led to this condition. If an increase in temperature is caused by non-infectious diseases, drugs are used whose action is aimed at getting rid of these diseases. Hypnotherapy and acupuncture are used to eliminate functional disorders of the central nervous system that cause heat exchange disturbances. Glutamic acid can also be used.

If the presence of infectious diseases is detected, all actions are aimed at eliminating the infection. In the presence of inflammation, comprehensive treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs is mandatory. If the cause of low-grade fever in a child is a previous viral disease, therapy is not required, since the condition returns to normal on its own after some time.

The task of parents is to create the right regime for the child. There is no need to cancel school attendance. You just need to warn teachers that a child with a high temperature may get tired faster. It is advisable for children with low-grade fever to spend a lot of time in the fresh air and sit less near the TV. It is useful to carry out hardening procedures.

Parents need to remember that it is not the temperature that needs to be treated, but its cause. To identify a violation, you should definitely show your child to a doctor. The prognosis for low-grade fever in children is good. Proper treatment, as well as a daily routine, quickly normalizes the temperature. Few people remain low-grade fever into adulthood.

Photobank Lori

Low-grade fever is a body temperature of up to 38 degrees. Prolonged low-grade fever can be a symptom of a sluggish inflammatory process (pyelonephritis, myocarditis), an allergic or infectious-allergic disease, anemia, and some other serious diseases. Therefore, the first thing to do in case of prolonged low-grade fever is to comprehensively examine the child.

The examination plan usually includes a clinical blood test, urine tests (not only general, but also cumulative samples and a study of 24-hour urine, as well as a test for sterility), radiography of the paranasal sinuses and lungs, tuberculin tests, a biochemical blood test with the determination of rheumatic tests, ECG, Ultrasound of internal organs, stool tests for worm eggs. Based on the test results, the necessary specialists are consulted.

The temperature of any healthy person changes throughout the day. In children it is even slightly higher. It increases even more in the afternoon when the child is active. I measured mine a couple of times just out of curiosity. In the evening it’s always around 37.5. The child is completely healthy.

Sometimes, and only in older children, to identify the nature of low-grade fever, doctors perform an aspirin test: they record the temperature when taking aspirin according to a certain pattern.

Parents can also participate in the examination. Firstly, daily monitoring of temperature is necessary, when it is measured every 3-4 hours, including the period of sleep (at least 24 hours). Secondly, it is advisable to measure blood pressure on both arms daily - this procedure is also easy to master on your own. Thirdly, it is sometimes advised to simultaneously examine the parents themselves and other family members in order to identify foci of latent infection that can maintain a low-grade fever in the child.

If the test results do not reveal pathology, special attention should be paid to the state of the autonomic nervous system. Low-grade fever is often observed in infants and school-age children with autonomic dysfunction syndrome. It also happens in children with neuroses - there is even a term “thermoneurosis” - therefore, with prolonged low-grade fever and no changes in tests, consultation with a neurologist is mandatory. Sometimes low-grade fever accompanies metabolic disorders: it happens in schoolchildren and delayed sexual development. Such children with hypothalamic-pituitary syndrome are observed by both a neurologist and an endocrinologist.

In some children, low-grade body temperature is maintained not by increasing heat production, but by decreasing heat transfer. This happens with spasm of peripheral vessels, and, above all, capillaries. This low-grade fever is characterized by the fact that during sleep the body temperature is normal. It increases with physical activity and emotional stress on the child. In the summer, low-grade fever in such children often disappears.

Treatment for long-term low-grade fever is largely determined by its nature. If chronic inflammation is detected, the underlying process is treated and the temperature returns to normal. For hypothalamic syndrome, a neurologist can prescribe medications that improve nutrition and microcirculation of the brain, strengthen the vascular wall and have a calming effect.

For low-grade fevers of a neurogenic nature, a phytotherapeutic technique is used (author - doctor N.L. Menshikova), combining the use of infusion. Traditionally, it was believed that low-grade fever was a contraindication for their implementation. Now they recommend an individual approach to the child: sometimes vaccinations are authorized by commission after a clinical examination.

The presence of a high temperature indicates the presence of a disease, but what does it mean when the thermometer does not rise above 38 degrees? When a child has elevated readings on the thermometer, but not exceeding 38 degrees, then in medicine this phenomenon is called low-grade fever. This temperature occurs not only in children, but also in adults. Let us find out in more detail whether low-grade fever is dangerous, as well as the main reasons for its occurrence.

How to determine the presence of low-grade fever in a child

Low-grade fever is a patient’s condition in which an elevated body temperature is observed to be maintained at 38-38.3 degrees. With low-grade fever, there are no obvious, pronounced signs of the disease. If the thermometer readings are elevated, the child may exhibit the following symptoms:

decreased appetite;
weakness and exhaustion;
sleep disturbance;
excessive nervousness;
excessive sweating.

It is by the presence of these signs that parents measure the child’s temperature and detect its value, which does not exceed 38 degrees. You can’t knock it down if it doesn’t rise, but stays within a certain range. If the temperature does not last for a long time, then this is not so scary, but when the value on the thermometer does not drop to normal for several days or weeks, then this indicates the presence of serious diseases. Often, low-grade fever of a long nature occurs in children aged 7 to 15 years.

Temperature in a child

A healthy adult has a standard body temperature of 36.6 degrees. This temperature is considered ideal, but this indicator may vary throughout the day. The meaning also varies in children, due to physiological characteristics. Infants experience an increase in temperature with each feeding. An increase in temperature to 37-37.5 degrees does not always mean that a disease is present.

The child’s temperature varies throughout the day, which is due to the following number of influencing factors:

the age of the children, since the younger the child, the more pronounced temperature fluctuations are;
circadian rhythms: during wakefulness, the thermometer values increase, and during sleep they decrease;
weather conditions: in hot weather the temperature will be above normal;
presence of physical activity: during play the child is more active, therefore the thermometer readings will be higher than normal;
anxiety, in the presence of which an increase in the mark on the thermometer scale is also observed.

Parents of infants need to regularly measure their temperature and monitor its fluctuations. If it is often observed that the child’s temperature ranges from 37 to 38 degrees, then you should notify the doctor about this.

Why does low-grade fever occur?

Low-grade fever in a child indicates problems in the functioning of the child’s body. Often, low-grade fever indicates the presence of hidden forms of diseases in the child, which can be determined with the help of additional studies. There are a number of main types of ailments through which a child can develop low-grade fever.

Infectious diseases

The causes of prolonged low-grade fever in a child may be due to infectious diseases. These ailments are:

tuberculosis;
toxoplasmosis;
sinusitis, tonsillitis, cholecystitis and others;
helminthiasis

Chronic tonsillitis is detected in children in frequent cases, but this disease is not always accompanied by an increase in thermometer readings. In children aged 1 year and up to 5 years, a type of illness such as helminthiasis often occurs.

Non-communicable diseases

Non-infectious causes of low-grade fever in children include autoimmune disorders and blood diseases. In rare cases, children develop malignant tumors and cancer. Low-grade fever can occur against the background of allergic reactions, rheumatic diseases, as well as iron deficiency anemia.

Situations arise when a child maintains a low-grade fever, but at the same time his limbs become cold. This is due to a disruption in the functioning of the adrenal glands, since against the background of malfunctions, vasospasm of the extremities develops. As a result, heat cannot be released through the extremities, thereby increasing body temperature, and the hands and feet remain cold.

It is important to note the fact that with non-infectious causes of low-grade fever, temperature fluctuations throughout the day are excluded, and taking antipyretics does not reduce the fever. This is a significant difference between non-infectious causes of low-grade fever and infectious ones. In case of infectious diseases, temperature fluctuations are observed throughout the day, and fever can be reduced with the help of antipyretic drugs.

Viral diseases

An elevated temperature can be observed in a child after a viral illness. The consequences of such viral diseases are also called the “temperature tail”. Low-grade fever after a viral illness does not lead to the development of complications. Often these effects disappear within a few weeks.

Important to know! You should not wait for the temperature to normalize, so to exclude complications you should go to the hospital.

Mental disorders

In suspicious and withdrawn children, the cause of the development of low-grade fever is psychological disorders. With any irritation, the child’s temperature rises and can last for a long time.

You can avoid the development of low-grade fever by treating your child with care. Such children should not be shouted at, laughed at, or shamed. Any negative factors result in mental trauma, through which complications and pathologies arise.

Is it necessary to bring down a low-grade fever?

Every parent sooner or later wonders whether it is necessary to treat a child with low-grade fever? Elevated temperature negatively affects the child’s body, so treatment is mandatory.

Treatment involves eliminating the causes by which the elevated temperature was provoked. If the main reasons for the development of low-grade fever are non-infectious diseases, then you should resort to the use of drugs whose effectiveness is aimed directly at eliminating the disease itself. To combat the infectious causes of the disease, drugs are used that are aimed at eliminating the infection. For this purpose, anti-inflammatory drugs are used, through which complex therapy is carried out.

Important to know! In case of low-grade fever, the use of antipyretic drugs is strictly prohibited. This is due to the fact that they do not have the desired effect, and also contribute to a decrease in immunity.

If a child has signs of low-grade fever, then parents need to regularly measure it and monitor the baby’s condition. If a child attends a kindergarten or school, then it is necessary to warn teachers and educators about the child’s condition. Often, if an illness is reported, the staff will ask parents not to attend educational institutions until they have recovered.

Features of examination for low-grade fever

Regardless of the patient’s age, if he has a low-grade fever, he must go to the hospital. To identify the reasons that contribute to this phenomenon include.