Fever. Causes

Reasons for the rise in temperature

Fever symptoms

Redness of the skin of the face;
-, aching bones, unmotivated good mood (euphoria);
- shivering, chills, intense sweating;
- feeling of thirst;
- rapid breathing;
- poor appetite;
- confusion, delirium (delirium), especially in the elderly;
- Children may also have irritability, crying, feeding problems.

Sometimes an increase in body temperature may be accompanied by other symptoms associated with an exacerbation of chronic diseases.

A doctor should be called if in children under 3 months the temperature has risen above 37.5, if the temperature is elevated for more than 24 hours.

In children aged 6 months to 6 years, high temperatures are sometimes observed. If your child has such convulsions, make sure that he does not get hurt, remove all dangerous objects near him and make sure that he breathes freely.
If the children fever accompanied by convulsions, rigidity neck muscles, rash, if at elevated temperature are noted, then you should immediately seek medical help.

If the temperature is accompanied by swelling and pain in the joints; as well as a rash, especially a dark red color or in the form of large blisters, you should immediately consult a doctor. When accompanying symptoms: cough with yellowish or greenish sputum, severe headache, ear pain, confusion, severe irritability, dry mouth, abdominal pain, rash, intense thirst, severe , painful urination and vomiting, you should also call a doctor. With an increase in body temperature in a pregnant woman, you should also consult a doctor.

What can you do

Try to rest, it is best to observe bed rest, in no case do not wrap yourself up and do not dress too warmly, drink plenty of fluids. Be sure to eat, but light is better and well digestible food. Take your temperature every 4-6 hours. Take an antipyretic medicine if you have a headache or a temperature above 38 degrees.
If the child has a temperature above 38 degrees, use paracetamol (special children's forms). Follow the instructions and read required dose depending on the weight and age of the child. Do not give (aspirin) to children as found that it can lead to Reye's syndrome (hepatocerebral syndrome), a severe condition that can lead to coma and even lethal outcome.

What can a doctor do

The doctor must determine the cause of the elevated body temperature and prescribe appropriate therapy. If necessary, prescribe an additional examination, and if a serious illness is suspected, refer to hospitalization.

What is a fever? The stages of this condition, causes and symptoms will be discussed below. We will also tell you about how to treat the disease.

Definition of a medical term

Non-specific pathological processes, characterized by a temporary increase in body temperature due to the dynamic restructuring of the thermoregulatory system under the influence of pyrogens (that is, elements that cause fever), are called fever. In medicine, it is believed that such a condition arose as a protective and adaptive reaction of a person or animal to an infection. It should also be noted that fever, the stages of which will be listed below, is accompanied not only by an increase in body temperature, but also by other phenomena characteristic of infectious disease.

The essence of the febrile syndrome

It is no secret to anyone that many infectious and viral diseases accompanied by a rise in body temperature of the patient. Moreover, earlier all diseases that proceeded in this way were called fever. However, experts argue that in the modern scientific understanding, this condition is not a disease. But, despite this, the term is still present in some names of nosological units (for example, hemorrhagic pappatachi, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, etc.).

Why does the temperature rise with certain diseases? The essence of fever is that the thermoregulatory apparatus of humans and higher homoiothermic animals responds to specific substances called pyrogens. As a result of this, there is a temporary shift in the set point of homeostasis (temperature) by more high level. At the same time, the mechanisms of thermoregulation are preserved. This is the fundamental difference between hyperthermia and fever.

Causes of fever

Why does the temperature rise in a person or animal? There are many reasons for the development of fever. However, the most common are the following:

Other causes of febrile syndrome

Why does fever occur? The provoking disease may be associated with a disorder of heat transfer in violation of autonomic work in adolescents, children and young women (that is, with thermoneurosis). Also, fever can occur under the influence of the following factors:

Taking some medicines. Experts say that a number of medications can affect the thermoregulatory center, causing a slight rise in body temperature.
Hereditary violation in the process of thermoregulation. For example, some perfectly healthy children are already born with a temperature of 37.2-37.4 degrees. For them, this is the norm.
often occurs due to overheating, regular physical activity, being in a stuffy room and intense heat.
emotional stress and stressful situations very often accompanied by an increase in heat production and activation of the hypothalamus, which contributes to the onset of fever.
An increase in the hormone progesterone in pregnant women also causes slight increase temperature. At the same time, other signs of a viral or infectious disease are completely absent. This state can be maintained until the end of the first trimester. However, some representatives of the weaker sex subfebrile temperature accompanies almost the entire pregnancy.

What are pyrogens?

As mentioned above, infectious and viral diseases very often contribute to an increase in body temperature. This happens under the influence of pyrogens. It is these substances that enter the body from the outside or are formed right inside that cause fever. Most often, exogenous pyrogens are elements infectious agents. The strongest of these are thermostable capsular lipopolysaccharides of bacteria (gram-negative). Such substances act indirectly. They contribute to the shift of the set point in the thermoregulatory center of the hypothalamus. Most of them are of leukocyte origin, which directly affects others. important symptoms diseases. The source of pyrogens are cells of the human immune system, as well as granulocytes.

Fever: stages

In the process of development, fever goes through three main stages. On the first - a person's temperature rises, on the second - it is held for some time, and on the third - it gradually decreases, reaching the initial one. About how such pathological processes occur, and what symptoms are inherent in them, we will describe further.

Rise in temperature

The first stage of fever is associated with the restructuring of thermoregulation, as a result of which heat production begins to significantly exceed heat transfer. The limitation of the latter occurs due to a decrease in the influx of warm blood into the tissues and narrowing of the vessels in the periphery. More important in this process is a spasm of the skin vessels, as well as the cessation of sweating under the influence of sympathetic nervous system. The signs of fever in the first stage are as follows: blanching of the skin and a decrease in its temperature, as well as restriction of heat transfer due to radiation. Reduced sweat production prevents heat from escaping through evaporation.

The contraction of muscle tissue leads to the manifestation of the phenomenon " goose bumps» in humans and ruffling of wool in animals. The subjective feeling of chills is associated with a decrease in skin temperature, as well as irritation of cold thermoreceptors located on the integument. From them, the signal enters the hypothalamus, which is an integrative center of thermoregulation. After that, he informs the cerebral cortex about the situation where human behavior is formed: he begins to wrap himself up, take appropriate postures, etc. By lowering the temperature skin human muscle trembling is also explained. It is caused by the activation of the trembling center, which is localized in the medulla oblongata and midbrain.

temperature hold

The second stage of fever begins after reaching the set point. It can take several hours or days, and also be long. In this case, heat transfer and heat production balance each other. There is no further increase.

Skin vessels in the second stage expand. Their pallor also disappears. At the same time, the covers become hot to the touch, and chills and trembling disappear. A person at this stage experiences a fever. In such a state, diurnal temperature fluctuations persist, but their amplitude rather sharply exceeds the normal one.

Depending on the degree of rise in body temperature, fever in the second stage is divided into types:

subfebrile temperature - up to 38 degrees;
mild fever - up to 38.5;
febrile or moderate - up to 39 degrees;
pyretic or high temperature - up to 41;
hyperpyretic or excessive - over 41 degrees.

It should be noted that hyperpyretic fever is extremely dangerous for human life, especially for young children.

temperature drop

The decrease in body temperature can be abrupt or gradual. This stage of fever begins after the exhaustion of the supply of pyrogens or the cessation of their formation under the influence of natural or medicinal factors. As the temperature drops, the setpoint reaches normal level. This leads to vasodilation in the skin. At the same time, excess heat begins to be gradually removed. In humans, perspiration and diuresis increase. Heat transfer at the third stage of fever sharply exceeds heat production.

Types of fevers

Depending on the changes daily temperature body of the patient, fever is divided into several types:

Constant is a long and steady increase in temperature, the daily fluctuations of which do not exceed 1 degree.
Remitting - noticeable daily changes can be in the range of 1.5-2 degrees. In this case, the temperature does not reach normal numbers.
Intermittent - such a pathology is characterized by a rapid and significant rise in temperature. It lasts for several hours, after which it is replaced by a fairly rapid drop to normal values.
Exhausting or hectic - with this type of daily fluctuations can reach 3-5 degrees. At the same time, rises with a rapid decline are repeated several times throughout the day.
Perverted - such a fever is characterized by a change circadian rhythm with high rises in the morning hours.
Incorrect - characterized by fluctuations in body temperature during the day without a definite pattern.
Return - with this type, periods of increased body temperature alternate with periods of normal values, which last for several days.

It should also be noted that the temperature - 35 degrees - does not contribute to the appearance of fever. To find out the reasons for this condition, you should consult a doctor.

Common fever symptoms

Low temperature (35 degrees) does not cause fever, as it is characterized by a rise of more than 37 degrees. Common features such pathological condition are:

feeling of thirst;
redness of the skin of the face;
rapid breathing;
aches in the bones, headache, unmotivated good mood;
poor appetite;
chills, trembling, intense sweating;
delirium (delirium) and confusion, especially in elderly patients;
irritability and crying in children.

It should also be noted that sometimes a rise in temperature may be accompanied by swelling and painful sensations in the joints, rash and blistering of a dark red color. In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Treatment

How to get rid of a condition such as a fever, the stages of which were listed above? To begin with, the doctor must establish the cause of the rise in body temperature, and then prescribe the appropriate therapy. If required, the doctor can send the patient for additional examination. If you suspect serious pathology the specialist recommends hospitalization to the patient. Also, to eliminate the fever, the patient is advised to observe. It is forbidden to dress too warmly.

The patient needs to drink plenty of fluids. As for food, he is shown light and well digestible food. Body temperature should be measured every 4-6 hours. If necessary, you can take an antipyretic. But this is only if the patient has a severe headache, and a temperature of more than 38 degrees is also observed. To improve the patient's condition, it is recommended to use Paracetamol. Before taking this medicine, you must carefully study the instructions. If a child has a fever, then he is forbidden to give acetylsalicylic acid. This is due to the fact that such a drug can cause the development of Reye's syndrome. This is extremely serious condition leading to coma or even death. Instead, paracetamol-based medicines are recommended for kids to relieve fever: Efferalgan, Panadol, Kalpol and Tylenol.

According to medical dictionary Medilexicon, fever: "a complex physiological response to disease mediated by pyrogenic cytokines and characterized by fever, generation of reagents acute phase and activation of the immune system.

The degree of fever is not necessarily related to the severity of the underlying condition. There are many over-the-counter medications that reduce fever. However, sometimes it's better not to lower it. Fever can play important role helping the body in the fight against a number of infectious diseases. Fever is considered one of the immune mechanisms organism in an attempt to neutralize an internal threat (bacterial or viral).

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF FEVER?

Signs and symptoms may be seen by others and detected by a doctor. Depending on the cause of the fever, symptoms may include:

Dehydration
General weakness
Headache
Inability to concentrate
Loss of appetite
Pain in the muscles
sweating
Trembling, chills

Heat 39.4 - 41.1 C can cause:

disorientation
convulsions
hallucinations
Irritability

FEVER-INDUCED CAPS IN CHILDREN.

In some cases, children younger than 5 years of age have febrile convulsions or seizures caused by fever. They can appear if the child's temperature rises or falls sharply. Signs include convulsions and short-term loss consciousness. Although such attacks are alarming, they usually do not lead to long-term consequences and are often caused by fever from the most common childhood illnesses.

FEVER IN NEWBORN

Unexplained fever should be of great concern if it occurs in newborns. It is recommended to see a doctor when the child has a temperature of 38.3 C or higher, or if:

Child under 3 months of age.
The child refuses to eat and drink.
Has a fever and unexplained irritability (unmotivated crying).
Has a fever and seems lethargic and unresponsive. In infants and children under 2 years of age, these may be signs of meningitis (an infection and inflammation of the lining of the brain).
When a newborn or child has a temperature lower than normal (less than 36.1 C). Very young children may have low temperature than elevated.

FEVER IN CHILDREN

Children usually tolerate fever well. Parents should check not only the change in temperature, but also how the child behaves. There is no cause for alarm if the child has a fever, but he responds to external stimuli, including changes in facial expressions and voices, drinks liquids, plays, responds to eye contact. Call your doctor if your child has:

A fever developed after he left the heated car. Seek medical attention right away.
A fever has developed that persists for more than one day in children under 2 years of age. Or if the fever lasts longer than three days in children 2 years of age or older.
If the child is lethargic or irritable, if he vomits repeatedly, if he has severe headache or abdominal pain, or any other symptoms that cause serious discomfort.

Seek medical attention if your child has problems with immune system or chronic diseases.

Sometimes, children with severe neurological disorders who have life-threatening bacterial infections in the blood (sepsis) or who have a suppressed immune system may have a temperature below normal.

FEVER IN ADULTS

Contact your doctor if:

Temperature above 39.4 C.
The fever lasts more than three days.

Also, contact your doctor immediately if a fever accompanies any of these signs or symptoms:

Abdominal pain or pain when urinating.
Difficulty breathing or chest pain.
unusual severe lethargy or irritability.
Mental disorientation.
Incessant vomiting.
Strong headache.
Throat swelling.
Stiff neck and pain when bending head forward.
Unusual sensitivity to bright light.
An unusual skin rash, especially if the rash spreads quickly.
Any other unexplained signs or symptoms.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF FEVER?

Normal body temperature varies greatly, which must be taken into account when measuring it. Normal body temperature changes during the day in accordance with the circadian rhythm. It is lower in the morning and higher in the afternoon and evening. The normal temperature can be in the range of 36.1 C - 37.2 C. The temperature rises after eating, and it is also affected psychological factors. Other factors such as menstrual cycle or heavy physical exercise may also have an effect.

MECHANISM OF BODY TEMPERATURE.

Body temperature is set by the hypothalamus, an area at the base of the brain that acts as a thermostat for the entire system.
Temperature is the balance of heat produced in body tissues (especially the liver and muscles) and body heat is lost.
During illness, the normal temperature may be slightly higher as the body directs blood away from the skin to reduce heat loss.
When a fever sets in, the body tries to raise the temperature. There is a feeling of cold and trembling is possible. This is the mechanism for generating heat until the blood around the hypothalamus reaches a new level.
When the temperature begins to return to normal, there may be profuse sweating as the body gets rid of excess heat.
In the very old, young, or alcoholic, the body's ability to generate a fever process may be reduced.

As a rule, fever is a consequence of the body's reaction to a viral or bacterial infection. Other possible reasons:

Some systemic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus.
Very strong tan.
Heatstroke.
In some cases, malignant tumors and some forms of kidney cancer.
Some shots: diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTP) or pneumococcal vaccine (in infants and children).
Some medicines.

Sometimes it is not possible to determine the cause of the fever. If the temperature is 38.3°C or higher for more than three weeks and no cause can be found, a diagnosis of fever of unknown origin is made after careful evaluation.

HOW IS FEVER DIAGNOSED?

Diagnosing a fever is simple - if the patient's body temperature is higher than usual when he leads a sluggish lifestyle (does not run, just sits or lies), he has a fever. Depending on the signs and symptoms found on the physical exam and other tests, it can be determined whether an infection or something else is causing the fever.

Tests, such as a blood test, may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.

When slight increase fever that persists for three weeks or more but no other symptoms are used various ways establishing the cause, such as blood tests and x-rays, etc.

HOW TO TREAT FEVER?

Treatment depends on the cause of the fever. Antibiotics will be given bacterial infections such as pneumonia or acute pharyngitis.
Antibiotics are not prescribed against viral infections, incl. with mononucleosis.

Non-prescription drugs
Over-the-counter drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, paracetamol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are recommended. They lower the temperature. Adults can also take aspirin. But don't give aspirin to children under 16 because it can cause a rare but potentially fatal disorder known as Reye's syndrome.

IS IT SMART TO SUPPRESS A FEVER?

In the case of a slight increase in temperature, it is undesirable to reduce it. This may prolong the disease or mask the symptoms and thus make it difficult to identify its cause.

A number of experts claim that aggressive treatment fever breaks immune response organism. viruses, cold-causing and others respiratory infections thrive at normal temperature body. And only slightly raising the body temperature, you can eliminate the virus.

WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS FROM FEVER?

A rapid rise or fall in temperature can cause fever-induced seizures (febrile seizures) in children aged 6 months to 5 years. Although they are alarming, the vast majority of febrile seizures do not lead to any long-term consequences.

Febrile convulsions usually include loss of consciousness and trembling of all limbs. IN rare cases the child may have paralysis and convulsions of only part of the body.

What to do in case of febrile seizures?

Lay the child on one side or on his stomach on the floor or on the ground. Delete everything sharp objects next to the child, put something soft and hold the child to prevent injury. Do not put anything in your child's mouth or try to stop the seizures. Although most seizures will resolve on their own, emergency medical attention should be sought. Some actions may be helpful during a fever:

You need to drink plenty of fluids: drinking water, fruit juices, as fever can lead to fluid loss and dehydration. You can use oral rehydration solutions (for example, Regidron).
Rest is essential for recovery. Activity can raise body temperature.
Stay cool. Wear light and comfortable clothing and keep room temperature cool.
Take paracetamol or ibuprofen. Use in accordance with the instructions and recommendations of a physician. High doses or long-term use paracetamol can cause liver or kidney damage, and acute overdose can lead to fatal consequences.
Do not drink alcohol.

TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT.

Fever is present if:

Anus temperature 37.8°C or higher.
The temperature in the mouth is approximately 37.5 ° C or higher.
Armpit temperature 37.2°C or higher.
Ear temperature 37.2°C or higher.

To check the temperature, there are several types of thermometers, including electronic ones. Digital thermometers and those that quickly determine the temperature in ear canal especially useful for young children and the elderly. Mercury glass thermometers can lead to potentially harmful effects for human health and environment so they are not recommended.

Place the thermometer in axillary region with arms folded across chest
Wait four or five minutes.
Report the temperature to the doctor, but indicate where it was taken.

Using a Rectal Thermometer for Babies:

Lubricate the tip of the thermometer with petroleum jelly.
Lay the baby on your stomach.
Insert thermometer carefully.
Hold the thermometer and the child for three minutes.
Do not let go of the thermometer. If the child moves, the thermometer may deepen and cause injury.

HOW TO PREVENT FEVER?

It is necessary to reduce the likelihood of an infectious disease. The most simple and effective way is frequent washing hands, for adults and children. Hands should be washed frequently, especially before eating and after going to the toilet, after being around people and interacting with animals. Children need to be shown how to wash their hands: lather back side hands and palm flesh up to the wrist until foaming, then rinse with running water. If there is no access to soap and water, wipe with a damp cloth or disinfectant, while being careful not to touch the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth or eyes, which are the main route of transmission of viral infections. Prevention of air drip infections- frequent ventilation of the premises. If possible, avoid contact with sick people.

Fever- elevated body temperature, which occurs as a protective and adaptive reaction in infectious and many other diseases, or as a manifestation of thermoregulation disorders in the pathology of the nervous or endocrine system. Accompanied by a violation of some functions of the body, it is an additional burden on the respiratory and circulatory systems.

With fever the basal metabolism is increased, the breakdown of proteins increases (in connection with which the excretion of nitrogen in the urine increases), the frequency of respiration and heart rate increases; possible clouding of consciousness. However, the violations of functions and metabolism observed during fever are often determined not by the fever itself, but by the underlying disease.

Depending on the cause distinguish between infectious and non-infectious fever. The latter is observed in case of poisoning with various poisons (plant, animal, industrial, etc.), with idiosyncrasy, allergic reactions(for example, when administered parenterally protein) and diseases ( bronchial asthma), malignant tumors, aseptic inflammation, necrosis and autolysis. As a manifestation of disorders in the regulation of body temperature, non-infectious fever is noted in diseases of the brain, thyrotoxicosis, and ovarian dysfunction.

The mechanism of occurrence of infectious and non-infectious fever is similar. It consists in irritation nerve centers thermoregulation by substances (the so-called pyrogens) of an exogenous nature (decomposition products of microbes, toxins) or formed in the body ( immune complexes, pyrogens produced in leukocytes). There are three stages of febrile reaction. The first stage - an increase in temperature - is the result of an increase in heat production with a decrease in heat transfer, which is due to a reflex spasm of skin vessels. Paleness of the skin and chills are often noted. Then heat transfer begins to increase due to vasodilation, and in the second stage of fever, when the temperature is kept at elevated level(height of fever), both heat production and heat transfer are increased. The pallor of the skin is replaced by hyperemia (redness), the skin temperature rises, the patient has a feeling of heat. The third stage of fever - a decrease in temperature - occurs due to a further increase in heat transfer, incl. at the expense profuse sweating and significant additional vasodilation, which can lead to collapse. Such a course is often observed during a sharp, so-called critical, decrease in temperature, or a crisis. If the decrease in temperature occurs gradually over many hours or several days (lytic decrease, or lysis), then the threat of collapse, as a rule, is absent.

For some diseases(e.g. malaria) fever is cyclical: the three stages of fever are repeated at intervals when the temperature remains normal. According to the degree of increase in body temperature, subfebrile (from 37 ° to 38 °), moderate (from 38 ° to 39 °), high (from 39 ° to 41 °) and excessive, or hyperpyretic, fever (over 41 °) are distinguished.

In typical cases of acute infectious diseases the most favorable form is a moderate fever with a daily temperature fluctuation within 1 °.

Hyperpyrexia is dangerous with a deep impairment of vital activity, and the absence of fever indicates a decrease in the reactivity of the body.

How to treat a fever?

You can take paracetamol and aspirin in moderate doses, indicated in the annotations to these drugs, for no longer than 3 days in a row, drinking big amount water.

Be careful with aspirin! It increases the risk of hemorrhages and bleeding in influenza.

If the temperature is high, then make an exception for medicinal plantshelping to reduce the temperature. Additionally, non-pharmacological procedures can be carried out:

1. You can bring down the temperature by rubbing the body with vodka or vinegar, half diluted with water. Undress for the duration of the procedure, and do not dress immediately after it. Rubbing should be done frequently, as water dries quickly on a hot body.

2. Don't dress too lightly and at the same time don't wrap yourself up. In the first case, chills occur, and in the second, overheating. Wrapping up a feverish patient is like wrapping a blanket around a red-hot house.

3. Open a window in the room or use an air conditioner, a fan. cool air helps eliminate the heat flowing from your body.

4. High temperature makes you thirsty. The fact that you sweat and breathe rapidly contributes to the loss of fluid that needs to be replenished. To reduce the temperature, drink tea with raspberries, lime blossom and honey, cranberry or lingonberry juice. Diaphoretic tea recipes are given below.

5. You can put a compress of vinegar water on your head. In this case, the heat will be transferred much easier.

6. Good antipyretic. Mix the juice of 1 onion with the juice of 1 apple and 1 tablespoon of honey. Take 3 times a day.

What is a fever? This is a condition when the body temperature exceeds 37 degrees. As a rule, fever is one of the symptoms of a particular infectious disease, accompanied by headache, skin flushing, confusion, thirst, etc.

Basic concept

What is a fever? Under it is understood general reaction organism to any irritation. An increase in temperature in this case becomes a consequence of a violation of thermoregulation.

What is a fever? This is an active reaction of a protective and adaptive nature. human body, which he gives in response to the penetration of a variety of pathogenic stimuli.

What is a fever? This is a process when the excess of body temperature is due to restructuring and violation of thermoregulation. Fever is considered the main symptom of many infectious diseases. With its manifestation, heat generation in the human body begins to prevail over heat transfer.

Why does fever occur?

The main reason why the body temperature rises is considered an infection. Bacteria, as well as their toxins, starting to circulate in the blood, disrupt the process of thermoregulation. Sometimes such a negative action is possible with the help of a reflex path. It arises already from the place where the penetration of the infection occurs.

Foreign protein substances also contribute to an increase in temperature. This sometimes happens when sera, blood or vaccines are infused.

Elevated temperature increases metabolism. In this case, an increase in the number of leukocytes often occurs. Doctors believe that due to fever, an enhanced formation of immunity occurs. This, in turn, creates conditions for more successful elimination harmful microorganisms.

Thus, to the question "What is a fever?" it can be answered that this reaction, like an inflammatory one, is an adaptation of the body to the pathological conditions that have arisen.

Fever symptoms

Elevated body temperature, as a rule, is accompanied not only by headache and flushing of the skin, but also by a feeling of ache in osteoarticular system. At the same time, the patient is also worried about chills and trembling, thirst and increased sweating. A person begins to breathe often, he has a lack of appetite, sometimes delirium begins. In young patients, pediatricians note increased irritability and crying, as well as the appearance of problems with feeding.

With exacerbations of diseases of the chronic type, in addition to the signs that were listed above, there are symptoms related to the features of the manifestation of recurrent pathology.

IN pediatric practice it is believed that a doctor's call to a sick child under the age of three months is necessary when the temperature rises above 37.5 or persists for two days. In young patients from 6 months to 6 years, fever is sometimes accompanied by convulsions. When similar phenomenon you will also need to consult a doctor. Urgent medical care it is also necessary to provide those children whose fever is accompanied by stiffness of the muscles of the occipital region, skin rash(especially if it is dark red or in the form of large blisters), as well as pain in the abdomen.

For an adult patient, it is necessary to call a doctor at home for fever with swelling, skin rashes, and joint pain. Medical examination is necessary for pregnant women, as well as for those patients who suffer from cough with greenish and yellowish sputum, headache and pain in the abdomen and ears, and also if the increase in body temperature is accompanied by vomiting, dry mouth and pain during urination. A visit to the doctor is necessary for people with increased irritability, rash and confusion.

Fever treatment

As a rule, therapy with an increase in temperature in a patient is not carried out until the establishment exact reason diseases. This will preserve the picture of the pathology clinic. In some cases, treatment is not carried out, since in some ailments, fever stimulates the work defensive forces organism.

If a person is unable to tolerate elevated body temperature or develops dangerous complication in the form of dehydration, heart failure or seizures, then, regardless of the causes of the disease, the use of antipyretics is indicated.

Types of fevers

An increase in body temperature may be caused by various reasons, as well as have a special clinical picture. In this regard, fever is divided into the following types:

Given the factor that caused it. With this classification, fever is divided into infectious and non-infectious.

Temperature rise levels. In this case, the fever is subfabrial (up to 37.5 or 37.9 degrees), febrile (ranging from 38 to 38.9 degrees), pyretic (from 39 to 40.9 degrees), and also hyperpyretic (more than 41 degrees) .

By the duration of the manifestation. There is a subacute, acute and chronic form of fever.

According to the time of increase in body temperature values. In this case, the fever is divided into laxative and constant, undulating and intermittent, perverted and irregular.

An increase in temperature is considered the main symptom that accompanies some severe infections. Sometimes they are very dangerous for humans. These are yellow and hay fever, Ebola and Dengue, West Nile and some others. Let's consider one of them. The disease is mouse fever.

HFRS virus

This acute viral natural focal disease is popularly called mouse fever. Characteristic features This pathology is elevated temperature and intoxication, followed by kidney damage and, in addition, the development of pathological thrombohemorrhagic syndrome.

The HFRS virus was first discovered by A. A. Smorodintsev in 1944. However, the infection could be isolated only in 1976. This was done by a scientist from South Korea.

Some time later, a similar virus was isolated in Finland and Russia, China and the United States, as well as some other countries. To date, there is its classification. These are Hantaan and Puumala viruses. Throughout the history of the disease "mouse fever" 116 cases of its severe form were recorded.

Pathogens

What is HFRS fever? This is a hemorrhagic pathology with renal syndrome. Pathogen and carrier this kind diseases are mice, as well as rodents belonging to their species.

In the European part of Russia, the infection is spread by the bank vole. Great danger awaits people on Far East. Here you should be wary of field, red-gray mice, as well as Asian bats. In the history of HFRS fever, there were cases when the infection in cities was transmitted by house rats.

Ways of infection

The causative agent of HFRS is excreted in the feces or urine of animals. Rodents transmit it to each other by airborne droplets.

The disease mouse fever overtakes a person who inhales the smell of the feces of an infected individual. Infection also occurs upon contact with a rodent carrier of the virus. You can also get sick from contact with an infected object (for example, brushwood or hay on which a mouse ran). A person becomes infected in those cases when he eats those foods that rodents have come into contact with. It can be cabbage and carrots, cereals, etc. In this case, an infected patient is not dangerous to another person.

Who is affected by the HFRS virus?

Most often from mouse fever men are affected, whose age ranges from 16 to 50 years. This disease is also observed in women. But the highest percentage patients with a similar diagnosis are still men. This figure is up to 90%. Why do they get sick much more often than women? The main reasons for this lie in the neglect elementary rules hygiene. Otherwise, infection with the virus can occur with the same frequency.

As a rule, the symptoms of the disease "mouse fever" are observed in residents countryside. Similar statistics can be explained by the constant contacts of these people with nature, as well as with its pests, including rodents.

Small children get sick with mouse fever very rarely. This is due to the fact that babies rarely encounter carriers of a pathogenic virus, and vegetables and fruits are always given to them only washed. In this regard, for a child who is not used to taking dirty hands and objects, there is no danger.

Mouse fever is a seasonal disease. During winter cold the number of rodents is decreasing. At the same time, the activity of the virus also decreases. The peak of infection in adults and children is observed in the spring and autumn periods.

Symptoms of an illness provoked by rodents

What are the main stages and signs of the disease? Mouse fever is an infectious pathology with a rather complex development. There are five stages in her clinical picture:

incubation period. It covers the time from the moment of infection to the first manifestations. The duration of this incubation period is between 3 and 4 weeks. At the same time, the patient is unaware that an uninvited guest has entered his body, due to the absence of any signs of illness. Doctors note that the course of the disease "mouse fever" is the same in all patients. Symptoms in men, however, which indicate the onset of pathology, develop somewhat earlier than in women.
First stage. This is the immediate onset of the disease, which at this stage develops quite sharply. The first stage lasts an average of 2 to 3 days. The course of the disease and the symptoms of mouse fever during this period are reminiscent of a cold. The patient develops intoxication in the form of nausea and headache, weakness and body aches. In addition, a symptom of the initial phase of the development of mouse fever is vomiting. Reddening of the collar region (neck, as well as part of the back), and the face are also signs of this disease. Similar symptom due to the fact that blood begins to flow to the skin, and a lot of small hemorrhages. In addition, a rash appears on the body in the form of red vesicles. These neoplasms are filled with blood. The patient's body temperature rises. Its values reach up to 39 and even up to 40 degrees. How does the disease “mouse fever” progress in men? Are there any differences in the clinical picture with female patients in this case? Doctors note that the symptoms of pathology do not depend on the gender of the patient. Only sometimes the course of the disease "mouse fever" in the first stage is characterized by a somewhat blurred clinical picture. In men, the symptoms of the disease are not as pronounced as in women.
Second stage. During this period, the disease also continues to develop quite sharply. The beginning of the second stage of such a dangerous and severe murine fever for humans is evidenced by a decrease in the volume of daily urine output (oliguria). A similar symptom indicates the occurrence of violations in the work of the kidneys. The oliguric period of mouse fever lasts for 8-11 days. Throughout this period, the patient has intense pain in the lower back and in lower region belly. 2-3 days after the onset of the second stage of the pathology, a person experiences intense vomiting. The end of the oliguric stage is marked by the cessation of the symptomatic increase in body temperature. However, this does not bring any relief to the patient.
Third stage. This stage of mouse fever is called polyuric. It lasts from five to fifteen days. If the disease is severe, then it is preceded by a period of failure of the kidneys. Edema occurs, sleep is disturbed and depression develops. If the treatment was started in a timely manner, then taking medication contributes to the approach of the polyuric stage. In this case, an increase in diuresis occurs. The volume of urine during the day reaches 2-5 liters. This indicator is evidence of normalization in the work of the kidneys. However, in the third stage of the development of the pathology called "mouse fever", careful monitoring of the patient is very important. Otherwise, the consequences of the disease can be quite severe. Mouse fever can give such a complication as renal failure.
Fourth stage. At this stage, the fever disappears completely. The patient can only observe her residual effects. This stage of the disease lasts from one month to fifteen years. And even in the case when the patient does not complain about anything, it is too early to calm down. Indeed, during this period, there remains a risk of the consequences of the “mouse fever” disease in the form various complications. Therefore, a person who has undergone this disease should regularly visit a nephrologist.

So, the symptoms of mouse fever are:

The occurrence of intoxication of the body in the form of headache, weakness, etc.;

Increase up to 40 degrees of body temperature;

Nausea;

Pain in the abdomen, as well as in the lower back;

Decreased daily diuresis;

Increased urine output at the final stage of the disease.

Carrying out diagnostics

In order to avoid unpleasant consequences after the disease "mouse fever", it is necessary to start its treatment in a timely manner. For this, after discovering the first possible signs pathology, you will need to consult a general practitioner. If the symptomatology finds its vivid manifestation, then do not hesitate to call an ambulance.

The mild course of the disease allows for outpatient treatment, under the supervision of a general practitioner and a nephrologist. All other cases require immediate hospitalization so that serious complications do not occur after the illness with mouse fever.

Diagnosis of the disease, especially in its early stages, is quite difficult. After all, the disease is similar to the common cold. That is why the most important thing in establishing it is to consider the likelihood of infection.

The diagnosis of mouse fever includes:

Questioning the patient, during which the existing complaints and their prescription are clarified, and the question of the likelihood of contact with rodents is also considered;

Holding laboratory research, including general analysis and blood biochemistry, PCR test, as well as urinalysis (with the development of renal disorders);

Instrumental studies in the form of ultrasound of the kidneys.

All the studies listed above are quite enough for an attentive specialist to make an accurate diagnosis.

How is mouse fever treated?

In order to save the patient from the HFRS virus, you will need A complex approach. After all, the disease is quite difficult and threatens dangerous consequences for human health.

Already from the first day of detection of pathology and up to the moment of its completion, it is necessary to comply with bed rest. After all, the pathogen provokes fragility of blood vessels, which threatens the development of bleeding. The duration of the patient's bed rest is determined by the doctor. On average, this period is from 2 to 6 weeks.

Therapy of mouse fever involves the use of a variety of pharmaceuticals:

The pain syndrome is eliminated through the use of analgesics ("Analgin", "Ketorolac", etc.).

Used to fight viruses antiviral drugs such as Lavomax.

The antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effect is achieved by taking drugs such as Paracetamol, Nurofen, etc.

Sorbents are prescribed by a doctor to cleanse the body of toxins.

Supportive care includes taking vitamins and glucose.

Used to eliminate edema hormonal preparations, including "Dexamethasone" and "Prednisolone".

The appointment of all drugs should be made only by the attending physician.

The consequences of the disease

For those who have been ill with mouse fever, the consequences after the illness for women, men and children may be minimal or not manifest complications at all if treatment was started in a timely manner. Pathology passes without any trace. However, the disease is dangerous late diagnosis which significantly delays the start of the treatment process. And if time was still lost, then there is a high probability of damage to the kidneys and destruction of the liver. All this becomes the cause of serious illnesses, and sometimes can be fatal.

What is the danger of mouse fever? The consequences after an illness for men, women and children are manifested by such complications as:

Violation excretory function or ruptured kidney

pulmonary edema;

Eclampsia - convulsive fainting;

The occurrence of localized zones of pneumonia;

Vascular insufficiency and the formation of blood clots.

What can not be done after the disease "mouse fever"? Even after recovering, a person should not consume spicy, smoked and salty foods, as well as alcohol. IN daily diet the presence of fresh and meatless dishes. A similar diet must be followed throughout the recovery period in order to regain normal working capacity kidneys.

Preventive measures to prevent mouse fever

There is no pre-vaccination to protect against the disease. It is possible to prevent the penetration of the HFRS virus into the body only if certain precautionary measures are observed. Prevention of the disease in women, men and children consists of:

In cleaning the house with the use of antiseptics;

In the thorough cleaning of dust, which may contain a virus;

In the thorough cleansing of hands using soap or other special means;

In use during cleaning gloves and masks (especially in country houses);

In obligatory washing of vegetables and fruits;

In using only boiled or bottled water for drinking;

In the immediate treatment of abrasions and other injuries;

In the use of gloves when in contact with rodents.

Such advice is not difficult in itself. This usual rules hygiene, which should be observed by every person who cares about their health. But it is always worth remembering that the disease is still easier to prevent than to try to get rid of it later.