Weakness subfebrile temperature. Subfebrile body temperature

One of the symptoms, which often indicates the occurrence of health problems, is subfebrile body temperature. This is a condition that should never be ignored.

It can manifest itself as a result of prolonged psychological stress, indicate the development dangerous disease or accompany pathological processes of a chronic nature.

The traditional device for measuring body temperature is a thermometer. It can be electronic or mercury. A more modern option is infrared (non-contact) thermometers. There are several ways in which temperature is measured.

The end of the thermometer is placed:

• in the armpit;
• into the mouth;
• into the rectum;
• on the forehead;
• into the ear hole.

The last two methods involve the use of infrared devices.

A mercury thermometer is suitable for measuring temperature in the armpit and in the mouth; it is not recommended to enter it into the rectum. For the rectal method, electronic thermometers are suitable. It is also convenient to use them when measuring temperature by axillary and oral methods.

The axillary method, despite its prevalence and popularity, is considered the least accurate option. Often, the temperature readings in the right armpit are slightly different from those in the left armpit.

During the measurement of temperature in the armpit, the skin should be dry. The mercury end of the thermometer is placed in the armpit, the hand is pressed against the body so that the thermometer does not move. Duration: 7-9 min. A similar algorithm of action when using an electronic thermometer, but the measurement will take less time (about 1 minute). Usually, a signal indicates the end of the procedure.

But it is believed that some models of thermometers are programmed to measure the temperature in the rectum, so when using in the armpit, it is not always necessary to remove the device immediately after the signal. The duration of the measurement can be 4-5 minutes.

The oral method is not always reliable. It is not suitable for small children, for people with diseases of the oral cavity and ENT organs (when breathing is disturbed), with mental disabilities. After eating or smoking, they try not to measure the temperature - the readings may be inaccurate.

To take the temperature orally, the end of the thermometer is placed under the tongue. They try to close the mouth tightly. Measurement duration for mercury thermometer- 5 minutes; for electronic - before the sound signal. Most accurate readings will give rectal method measurements. But it also has its contraindications. These include hemorrhoids, proctitis, constipation and diarrhea.

The end of the thermometer is lubricated with oil before insertion into the rectum. The measurement process takes place in the supine position (for small children - lying on the stomach). The depth of insertion is no more than 3 cm. The thermometer is inserted slowly, without sudden movements. Take out after the beep.

An infrared thermometer is convenient in that when applied to the forehead, it almost immediately gives a result. Ideal for taking temperature in children. Before the procedure, you need to make sure that the forehead is dry. Otherwise, wipe the skin with a napkin.

Another accurate way is to measure auricle. An infrared device is inserted into ear canal to a depth of up to 1 cm and temperature values ​​are obtained after a few seconds.

Standard indicators of normal temperature:

• 36.3 - 36.9 ° C (in the armpits, on the forehead);
• 37.3 - 37.7 ° C (in the ear and in the rectum);
• 36.8 - 37.3°C (in the mouth).

What is subfebrile body temperature?

Subfebrile body temperature is a condition that often signals a malfunction in the body. Temperature limits of subfebrile condition: 37 - 38 ° C. Temperature fluctuations are regular, they can last for several weeks or even years.

The presence of this symptom is evidenced not only by elevated temperature indicators. The condition is accompanied by weakness, bad mood, headache. Often, unpleasant symptoms begin to actively manifest themselves in the evening.

The following signs indicate the infectious nature of subfebrile condition:

• temperature values ​​are temporarily normalized after taking antipyretics;
• the temperature causes severe discomfort;
• temperatures fluctuate throughout the day.

Non-infectious subfebrile condition is different:

• resistance to antipyretics;
• constancy of daily temperature values;
• flow without pronounced unpleasant manifestations.

When is subfebrile temperature considered normal during pregnancy, in women, children and men?

Subfebrile condition does not always indicate the presence of pathologies in the body. Sometimes this is a normal phenomenon that does not cause concern. For example, an increase in temperature in women can occur during pregnancy (usually in the first trimester), with menopause, with the onset of menstruation, less often during lactation.

In very young children, normal thermoregulation has not yet developed, therefore, during measurements, you can see elevated temperature values. Also, you do not need to sound the alarm if the temperature is kept against the background of teething.

In children during adolescence, temperature rises are sometimes recorded - they are associated with hormonal changes in the body.

Subfebrile temperature in men in the absence of serious pathologies is observed much less frequently than in women. If such cases occur, they can be explained by nervous conditions, chronic fatigue, and hormonal imbalances. An increase in temperature is considered relatively safe if caused by a stressful situation.

After elimination of the source of irritation and normalization psychological state, the temperature ceases to rise to subfebrile marks. Also, in men, women and children, subfebrile temperature can persist for several months after an infectious disease.

Causes of a pathological increase in temperature to subfebrile marks

There are many causes of subfebrile condition - the most common of them are:

Subfebrile body temperature is a condition that occurs against the background of infectious diseases.

Common diseases include:

• caries and other inflammatory processes in the oral cavity;
• sinusitis;
• bronchitis;
• SARS;
• otitis;
• pneumonia;
• furunculosis;
• inflammation of the genitourinary system.

After the disease is eliminated, the temperature will return to normal values.

Chronic nonspecific infections

Chronic nonspecific infections that may be accompanied by fever include:

• respiratory diseases (bronchitis, bronchial asthma);
• diseases of the digestive tract (gastritis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis);
• problems of the genitourinary system (adnexitis, cystitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis).

Toxoplasmosis

One of the signs of infection with toxoplasmosis is subfebrile temperature. The disease is especially dangerous for pregnant women - their immunity is weakened, and it is difficult for the body to defeat the disease on its own. In people with a healthy immune system, the infection resolves relatively quickly and without sequelae.

Tuberculosis

Subfebrile body temperature is a condition that makes itself felt in pulmonary tuberculosis. Usually, an increase is encountered in the latent phase (up to 37.5 ° C) or with low inflammation (up to 38 ° C). Often, temperature fluctuations are the only sign of illness.

As a rule, an increase in temperature values ​​​​occurs in the evening, and in the morning the indicators return to normal. Tuberculosis infection can affect not only the lungs, but also the bones, excretory organs, skin, and eyes. Additional symptoms: weight loss and excessive sweating.

HIV infection

Sometimes only subfebrile condition can indicate the presence of HIV infection in the body. It can be called the first symptom. Other signs of infection appear later: increase The lymph nodes, rashes, nausea, headaches and joint pains appear.

Malignant tumors (oncology)

As in the situation with HIV infection, low-grade fever (with an accompanying state of weakness) may be one of the first symptoms of an emerging malignant tumor. The problem is that to put the correct diagnosis on such early stage difficult.

Viral hepatitis B and C

With viral hepatitis B and C fever appears with:

• muscle and joint pain;
• yellow skin tone;
• increased sweating;
• discomfort in the liver;
• loss of strength and weakness.

The results of the tests will allow you to make an accurate diagnosis, so that treatment will be started on time.

Chronic tonsillitis

At chronic inflammation subfebrile condition is often observed in the tonsils. If the disease is not treated, the temperature can remind of itself for years. But the most dangerous thing is that the infection can spread throughout the body and provoke more serious pathologies.

Helminthiasis (worm infestation)

The appearance of subfebrile temperature without any other symptoms may also indicate infection with helminths. As a result of their activity, foci of inflammation are formed in the body, which entails an increase in temperature indicators. Elevated temperature can be combined with weight loss, malfunctions digestive system, weakness and fatigue.

Thyroid disease

In case of disruption thyroid gland hyperthyroidism occurs. It is characterized by the acceleration of metabolic processes. The temperature rises by several degrees.

Other symptoms are not excluded:

• weight loss;
• hair loss;
• increase in pressure;
• excessive sweating;
• diarrhea.

As a rule, this disease is easily diagnosed. Timely treatment will avoid serious consequences.

Iron-deficiency anemia

Iron deficiency anemia can occur due to cancer, chronic bleeding, infectious foci, malnutrition.

With iron deficiency anemia, subfebrile temperature manifests itself along with:

• sudden blackout in the eyes;
• loss of appetite;
• discomfort in the stomach;
• drowsiness;
• weakness;
• discomfort when swallowing food;
• dizziness;
• dryness of the skin;
• a noticeable deterioration in the condition of nails, hair;
• a decrease in immunity.

If you eliminate the main cause of iron deficiency and undergo a course of treatment, then the body will get rid of anemia in a few months.

Ankylosing spondylitis

Subfebrile body temperature is a condition that often manifests itself in chronic lesions of the bones and joints of the spine (usually in the lumbar region): ankylosing spondylitis, or Bechterew's disease. The disease is incurable, you can only partly alleviate its course.

Autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases (eg, systemic lupus erythematosus, thyrotoxicosis, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Horton's disease) are always accompanied by a constant inflammatory process, which is why the fever persists. Due to a malfunction in the immune system, the body takes its own cells as foreign and tries to destroy them.

It is impossible to completely get rid of such diseases, only a temporary improvement in the condition is possible.

Psychogenic causes

The temperature depends on the state of mind. The causes of a psychogenic nature that can cause subfebrile condition include stress, strong emotional experiences, and neuroses. Using psychological questionnaires, diagnose the problem. And as its solution, sedatives or psychotherapy sessions are prescribed.

Medicinal subfebrile condition

Subfebrile body temperature can manifest itself as a result of taking medications. This condition is caused not only by the use of antibiotics ( penicillin group, lincomycin), antihistamines and hormonal drugs, narcotic painkillers.

It could also be antidepressants. If it is established that the temperature increase is a reaction to a certain drug, it is no longer taken. Or replace it with a safer alternative.

Vegetovascular dystonia

With a disease of the vegetative nervous system elevated temperatures can persist for a long time - for many years. It is not caused by inflammation, but by psychosomatic causes. Sometimes subfebrile condition suddenly passes by itself. Against the background of VSD, the pulse rate and arterial pressure, sweating appears, muscle tone decreases.

Anemia

Like low-grade fever, anemia is not a disease, but a symptom.

The most common problems that provoke its development:

• malnutrition;
• improper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• internal bleeding;
• helminthiases.

Anemia can also occur during pregnancy.

Which doctor should I contact?

To establish the reasons for the regular increase in temperature, you should consult a therapist. He will give a referral for examination, for the delivery of the necessary tests. And then, depending on the diagnostic results obtained, he will refer you to narrow specialists: a phthisiatrician, an endocrinologist, an infectious disease specialist, an oncologist, a gastroenterologist.

Diagnostics

Before the specialist gives directions for examinations, they begin to measure the temperature daily - every 3 hours. The results are recorded in a diary. Tracking indicators lasts 2 weeks.

To determine what causes (infectious or non-infectious) caused the increase in temperature values, test with antipyretic drug:

1. Temperature is taken at rest.
2. At elevated values, take an antipyretic tablet.
3. After 2 hours, the measurement is repeated.

If the indicators have dropped to normal, then the likelihood of infection is high. With pathologies of a non-infectious nature, the indicators should remain at the same level. You should not completely trust this test - the specialist will make the final conclusions. Standard diagnostic procedures are listed in the table. In specific cases, the list may be shortened or supplemented.

Recently, there has been an increase in the frequency of prolonged subfebrile condition both among the adult and among the child population.
There are a number of classifications of prolonged subfebrile condition. According to one of them, created according to the etiological principle, subfebrile condition is isolated in diseases internal organs and subfebrile condition in the pathology of the nervous system. Among the diseases of internal organs that occur with prolonged subfebrile condition, there are various inflammatory diseases (infectious diseases, diffuse diseases connective tissue, some allergic diseases, etc.) and non-inflammatory (endocrine diseases, diseases circulatory system, tumors, drug allergies, etc.) nature.
Subfebrile condition in the pathology of the nervous system can cause organic diseases, it is observed in neuroses and psychoses.
Allocate subfebrile condition of unclear origin.

Classification of prolonged subfebrile condition

Diseases accompanied by subfebrile condition were grouped as follows.

Diseases that are not accompanied by an inflammatory shift in the blood (increased ESR of C-reactive protein):

• neurocircular dystonia;
• premenstrual syndrome;
• hypothalamic syndrome with impaired thermoregulation;
• hyperthyroidism;
• subfebrile condition of non-infectious origin in some diseases of the internal organs
  (chronic iron deficiency anemia) peptic ulcer stomach and duodenum, bronchial asthma);
• artificial subfebrile condition - simulation, aggravation, often against the background of psychopathic personality disorders

Diseases accompanied by inflammatory changes:
Infectious-inflammatory subfebrile condition:

1. oligosymptomatic foci of chronic nonspecific infection:

• urogenital,
• bronchogenic,
• endocrine, etc.;

2. hard-to-detect forms of tuberculosis:

• in the mesenteric lymph nodes
• in bronchopulmonary lymph nodes,
• other extrapulmonary forms of tuberculosis;

3. difficult to detect forms of more specific infections:

• some forms of brucellosis,
• some forms,
• some forms, incl. forms occurring with granulomatous and some others.

Subfebrile condition of an immunoinflammatory nature (usually we are talking about diseases that temporarily manifest only subfebrile condition with a clear immune component of pathogenesis):

• chronic hepatitis of any nature (B, autoimmune hepatitis);
• inflammatory bowel disease (nonspecific) ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, etc.);
• systemic connective tissue diseases;
• juvenile form of rheumatoid arthritis, Bechterew's disease.

Subfebrile condition in lymphoproliferative diseases:

• on lymphogranulomatosis and other lymphomas (more often, there is a syndrome of fever of unknown origin);
• on the malignant neoplasms any localization (kidneys, intestines, genitals, etc.).

To prove the reliability of low-grade fever, it can be recommended to the patient for several days to record the results of measuring body temperature every 3 hours (the so-called fractional measurement of body temperature), of course, with a night break, and in women, taking into account the menstrual cycle.

Prolonged subfebrile condition non-infectious

Diagnostic criteria of non-infectious origin, which have independent significance, are:

• absence of deviations with a thorough and comprehensive examination, including a complete blood count, biochemical analyzes blood, etc.;
• lack of body weight deficit;
• dissociation between the pulse rate and the degree of increase in body temperature;

Latent inflammatory foci chronic infection as , sinusitis, chronic cholecystitis are detected in patients with prolonged subfebrile condition in about 6% of cases.
Different opinions were expressed about the etiological role of latent inflammatory foci of infection in the genesis of prolonged subfebrile condition.

AT last years the prevailing point of view is that latent foci of infection are not an etiological factor in prolonged subfebrile condition. The rationale for this point of view is that any latent inflammatory infection is not accompanied by a prolonged increase in body temperature in 100% of cases.

Persistent bacterial infection has not been proven to be associated ( ENT, pulmonary pathology) and an increase in body temperature.
Inflammatory foci of chronic infection in diseases with impaired heat transfer occur with the same frequency as with prolonged low-grade fever. Most modern antibiotics in any doses and for any duration of their use do not have any effect on elevated body temperature in patients. Salicylates (aspirin, paracetamol) are ineffective in patients with prolonged subfebrile condition.
It is known that salicylates do not affect the elevated temperature of a different genesis than fever, when the presence of pyrogenic substances is necessary for its “start”.
Therefore, prolonged low-grade fever in patients with latent foci of chronic infection, which has independent significance, can be interpreted as hyperthermia of non-infectious origin.
The infectious agent is given the role of a trigger mechanism in the restructuring of thermoregulation to a new, higher level.

The scheme of the etiology and pathogenesis of prolonged subfebrile condition, which has independent significance, can be represented as follows. Most often viral bacterial infection is the initial factor leading to a violation of heat transfer associated with heat retention in the body during normal heat production. In the future, the original cause disappears, but the violation of heat transfer remains. An increased shift in the regulation of heat transfer in the hypothalamus remains, apparently, in individuals with altered reactivity of heat-regulating centers. Functional disorders in the hypothalamic region through hormonal and metabolic changes lead to a decrease in non-specific protective factors, and this is one of the reasons for the susceptibility of patients to prolonged low-grade fever. As a result, patients seem to form a vicious circle in relation to a long-term violation of heat transfer. Therapy allows you to break this circle and normalize body temperature.
The hypothalamus is the highest center of regulation of the autonomic functions of the body, the place of interaction between the nervous and endocrine systems.
His nerve centers regulate metabolism, providing homeostasis and thermoregulation. Clinical manifestations associated with hypothalamus disorders are diverse. One of the manifestations can be quite persistent and prolonged subfebrile condition. If you suspect the diencephalic nature of prolonged subfebrile condition, consultation is desirable. a neuropathologist, possibly an endocrinologist, taking into account the close connection of the hypothalamus with the endocrine system.

Subfebrile condition may be a symptom premenstrual syndrome. Usually, 7-10 days before the next menstruation, along with an increase in neurovegetative disorders, an increase in body temperature is noted. With the onset of menstruation and improvement general condition temperature usually returns to normal.

Persistent subfebrile temperature is often observed in women in menopause, which sometimes proceeds quite hard and with a very variegated clinical picture - neurovegetative, psycho-emotional and metabolic-endocrine disorders. Well-chosen hormone therapy, along with improving the general condition of patients, also contributes to the normalization of body temperature.

In the initial stage hyperthyroidism subfebrile temperature may be its only manifestation, and only later tachycardia, irritability, irritability, trembling of the fingers, weight loss, eye symptoms and others. The diagnosis is confirmed by ultrasound of the thyroid gland, the determination of TSH and thyroid hormones in the blood, sometimes - a study of the function of the gland with radioactive iodine. It is advisable to consult an endocrinologist.

Prolonged subfebrile condition infectious

If low-grade fever is accompanied by an inflammatory shift in the blood, then a targeted search for diseases that cause an increase in temperature is necessary, as well as laboratory and instrumental studies involving specialists. (cardiologists, endocrinologists, urologists, etc.).

To detect these diseases, a blood test is performed by ELISA (detection with immunoglobulin M, G), PCR with the detection of RNA viruses.

Particular attention, even with a minimally burdened history, should be given to the exclusion tuberculosis due to the fact that in recent years worldwide, the incidence of tuberculosis and the resistance of mycobacteria to anti-tuberculosis drugs have sharply increased. The course of the disease can be asymptomatic, with mild symptoms of intoxication in the form of subfebrile temperature, decreased performance, sweating, loss of appetite.

Tuberculosis most often affects the lungs. At first, as a rule, the cough is dry or with the release of a small amount of sputum. Such a state is usually regarded as banal. Of course, in some patients, tuberculosis from the very beginning can proceed in a subacute and acute form.
The main methods for detecting pulmonary tuberculosis are the study of sputum for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and X-ray examination of patients (sight radiography of the lungs in two projections with special attention to the condition of bronchopulmonary, the presence of calcifications in the lungs, pleural adhesions, which is very suspicious of the association of low-grade fever with tuberculosis).
The gastrointestinal tract is rarely affected by tuberculosis, the intestines are more often affected, less often the stomach, and extremely rarely the esophagus. The disease can occur under the guise of fever of unknown origin, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, malignant tumor, malabsorption syndrome.
Detected on plain radiography abdominal cavity and ultrasound calcified mesenteric, calcifications, even miliary, in the liver or spleen may also indicate a connection between low-grade fever and tuberculosis. We should not forget about the possible damage to the kidneys and bones.

With prolonged subfebrile condition, one should not forget about HIV infections, which remains poorly controlled and is increasingly becoming a pandemic. Against the background of AIDS, the so-called opportunistic infections, which proceed atypically, are difficult to recognize. For example, pneumocystis pneumonia (most common complication AIDS), even with a fairly massive lesion of the lungs, it can be manifested by subfebrile temperature, a rare cough in the morning, general weakness and moderate shortness of breath.
We should not forget about syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases, the frequency of which has increased tenfold in recent years.

Prolonged subfebrile condition with lymphoproliferative diseases

Subfebrile condition as a paraneoplastic reaction may be the only clinical manifestation latent malignant neoplasm.

Therefore, middle-aged and, especially, elderly people are primarily examined according to the so-called cancer program, including fluoroscopy and endoscopic examination of the gastrointestinal tract, liver scan, repeated consultations with a urologist, gynecologist, intravenous urography, abdominal ultrasound, and, if necessary, CT.

In young and middle-aged individuals, the abdominal form should be excluded. Hodgkin's disease(dynamic clinical observation, "lower" lymphangiography, instrumental research spleen), although debilitating high fever is more characteristic of these patients than subfebrile condition.

immunoinflammatory subfebrile condition

Prolonged low-grade fever and an inflammatory shift in the blood manifest endocarditis and diseases of an immunoinflammatory nature ( vasculitis, rheumatoid, and etc.).

Treatment of prolonged subfebrile condition

The basic principle of the treatment of prolonged subfebrile condition, which has independent significance, is to eliminate functional disorders of the central nervous system in the form of a violation of heat transfer. Treatment methods such as psychotherapy (hypnotherapy, autogenic training), acupuncture, bromine preparations have positive influence on these patients.

If latent inflammatory foci are detected in patients with prolonged subfebrile condition, anti-inflammatory therapy is performed.

A one-sided approach to the treatment of only a latent focus or only a violation of heat transfer in most cases does not give the desired effect. Additionally, it is necessary to treat asthenia caused by a prolonged violation of heat transfer. In case of emotional and personality disorders, psychotropic drugs and methods of psychological correction are included.

AT complex treatment it is necessary to take into account the implementation of the daily routine, the correct alternation of work and rest, sufficient night sleep, walks. It is not recommended to exempt patients from physical education at home. The exception is sports competitions, team games, where an overstrain of the body's homeostatic mechanisms is possible, incl. and heat exchange systems.
Summer and winter tourism, dosed jogging, therapeutic swimming are recommended.

Comfortable temperature conditions help to normalize the temperature in patients with prolonged subfebrile condition. Cold and heat discomfort does not contribute to this, which is also confirmed by seasonal manifestations of prolonged subfebrile condition - in the summer months, their body temperature returns to normal.
The zone of thermal comfort in patients with prolonged subfebrile condition is within 22-23 °C, the zone of moderate tension of thermoregulation is at 21 and 24 °C.

Treating patients with prolonged subfebrile condition, which has independent significance, should be mandatory, since the tactics of a "neutral" attitude when monitoring these patients is incorrect. In addition to subjective suffering (headache, increased weakness, fatigue, etc.), a change in temperature homeostasis is accompanied by a violation in the pituitary-adrenal system, some nonspecific protective factors, etc., these patients often get sick

Body temperature is one of the most important physiological parameters indicating the state of the body. Since childhood, we all know well that the normal body temperature is +36.6 ºC, and a temperature increase of more than +37 ºC indicates some kind of disease.

What is the reason for this state of affairs? An increase in temperature is an immune response to infection and inflammation. The blood is saturated with temperature-raising (pyrogenic) substances produced by pathogenic microorganisms. This, in turn, stimulates the body to produce its own pyrogens. The metabolism speeds up somewhat to make it easier for the immune system to fight the disease. Usually, fever is not the only symptom of the disease. For example, with colds, we feel typical symptoms for them - fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose. With mild colds, body temperature can be at the level of +37.8 ºC. And in case of severe infections, such as influenza, it rises to + 39-40 ºC, and aches all over the body and weakness can be added to the symptoms.

High temperature danger

In such situations, we know very well how to behave and how to treat the disease, because its diagnosis is not difficult. We gargle, take anti-inflammatory drugs and antipyretics, if necessary, we drink antibiotics, and the disease gradually disappears. And after a few days the temperature returns to normal. Most of us have faced this situation more than once in our lives.

However, it happens that some people experience slightly different symptoms. They find that their temperature is higher than normal, but not by much. We are talking about subfebrile condition - a temperature in the range of 37-38 ºC.

Is this condition dangerous? If it does not last long - within a few days, and you can associate it with some kind of infectious disease, then no. It is enough to cure him, and the temperature will drop. But what if there are none visible symptoms no cold or flu?

Here it must be borne in mind that in some cases, colds can have erased symptoms. Infection in the form of bacteria and viruses is present in the body, and the immune forces react to their presence with an increase in temperature. However, the concentration of pathogenic microorganisms is so low that they are unable to cause typical cold symptoms - cough, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat. In this case, the fever may pass after these infectious agents die and the body recovers.

Especially often, such a situation can be observed in the cold season, during epidemics of colds, when infectious agents can attack the body over and over again, but stumble upon the barrier of the embattled immunity and not cause any visible symptoms, except for an increase in temperature from 37 to 37 ,5. So if you have 4 days 37.2 or 5 days 37.1, and you feel tolerable, this is not a cause for concern.

However, as you know, colds rarely last more than one week. And, if the fever lasts more than this period and does not subside, and no symptoms are observed, then this situation is a reason to seriously think about it. After all, permanent low-grade fever without symptoms can be a harbinger or a sign of many serious diseases, much more serious than the common cold. These can be diseases of both infectious and non-infectious nature.

Measurement technique

However, before you worry in vain and run around the doctors, you should exclude such banal reason subfebrile condition, like measurement error. After all, it may well happen that the cause of the phenomenon lies in a faulty thermometer. As a rule, electronic thermometers, especially cheap ones, are guilty of this. They are more convenient than traditional mercury ones, however, they can often show incorrect data. However, and mercury thermometers not immune from mistakes. Therefore, it is better to check the temperature on another thermometer.

Body temperature is usually measured in the armpit. Rectal measurement is also possible measurement in the mouth. In the last two cases, the temperature may be slightly higher.

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The measurement should be carried out while sitting, in a calm state, in a room with a normal temperature. If the measurement is taken immediately after intense physical exertion or in an overheated room, then the body temperature in this case may be higher than normal. This circumstance should also be taken into account.

Consideration should also be given to the fact that temperature changes during the day. If in the morning the temperature is below 37, and in the evening - the temperature is 37 and slightly higher, then this phenomenon may be a variant of the norm. For many people, the temperature may vary slightly during the day, rising in the evening hours and reaching values ​​of 37, 37.1. However, as a rule, the evening temperature should not be subfebrile. In a number of diseases, a similar syndrome, when the temperature is above normal every evening, is also observed, therefore, in this case, it is recommended to undergo an examination.

Possible causes of prolonged subfebrile condition

If you have a fever without symptoms for a long time, and you do not understand what this means, then you should consult a doctor. Only a specialist after a thorough examination can say that this is normal or not, and if abnormal, then what caused it. But, of course, it is not bad to know for yourself what can cause such a symptom.

What conditions of the body can cause prolonged subfebrile condition without symptoms:

• norm variant
• hormonal changes during pregnancy
• thermoneurosis
• temperature tail of infectious diseases
• oncological diseases
• autoimmune diseases - lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease
• toxoplasmosis
• brucellosis
• tuberculosis
• helminthic infestations
• latent sepsis and inflammatory processes
• foci of infection
• thyroid disease
• anemia
• drug therapy
• intestinal diseases
• viral hepatitis
• Addison's disease

Norm variant

Statistics say that 2% of the world's population has a normal temperature slightly above 37. But if you do not have a similar temperature with childhood, and subfebrile condition appeared only recently - then this is a completely different case, and you do not belong to this category of people.

Pregnancy and lactation

Body temperature is regulated by hormones produced in the body. At the beginning of such a period of a woman's life as pregnancy, the body is restructured, which, in particular, is expressed in an increase in the production of female hormones. This process can cause overheating of the body. As a general rule, a temperature around 37.3ºC for pregnancy should not cause serious concern. In addition, subsequently, the hormonal background stabilizes, and subfebrile condition disappears.

Usually, starting from the second trimester, a woman's body temperature stabilizes. Sometimes subfebrile condition can accompany the entire pregnancy. As a rule, if fever is observed during pregnancy, then this situation does not require treatment. Sometimes subfebrile condition with a temperature of about 37.4 can also be observed in women who are breastfeeding, especially in the first days after the appearance of milk. Here the cause of the phenomenon is similar - fluctuations in hormone levels.

Thermoneurosis

Body temperature is regulated in the hypothalamus, one of the parts of the brain. However, the brain is an interconnected system and processes in one part of it can affect another. Therefore, such a phenomenon is very often observed when, in neurotic states - anxiety, hysteria - the body temperature rises above 37.

This is also facilitated by the production of an increased amount of hormones during neuroses. Prolonged low-grade fever can accompany stress, neurasthenic conditions, and many psychoses. With thermoneurosis, the temperature, as a rule, normalizes during sleep.

To exclude such a reason, it is necessary to consult a neurologist or psychotherapist. If you really have a neurosis or an anxiety condition associated with stress, then you need to undergo treatment, since loose nerves can cause much more problems than low-grade fever.

Temperature "tails"

You should not discount such a banal reason as a trace of a previously transferred infectious disease. It is no secret that many influenzas and acute respiratory infections, especially severe ones, lead the immune system into a state of increased mobilization. And in the event that infectious agents are not completely suppressed, then the body can maintain an elevated temperature for several weeks after the peak of the disease. This phenomenon is called a temperature tail. It can be observed in both adults and children.

Therefore, if the temperature is + 37 ºС and above for a week, then the causes of the phenomenon may lie precisely in the previously transferred and cured (as it seemed) disease. Of course, if you had been ill shortly before the detection of a constant subfebrile temperature with some kind of infectious disease, then there is nothing to worry about - subfebrile condition is precisely its echo. On the other hand, such a situation cannot be called normal, since it indicates weakness immune system and the need to take steps to strengthen it.

Oncological diseases

This reason also cannot be discounted. Often it is subfebrile condition that is the earliest sign of a tumor that has appeared. This is explained by the fact that the tumor releases pyrogens into the blood - substances that cause an increase in temperature. Especially often subfebrile condition accompanies oncological diseases of the blood - leukemia. In this case, the effect is due to a change in the composition of the blood.

To exclude such diseases, it is necessary to undergo a thorough examination and take a blood test. That a persistent increase in temperature can be caused by such serious illness, as an oncological one, makes us take this syndrome seriously.

Autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases are caused by an abnormal response of the human immune system. As a rule, immune cells - phagocytes and lymphocytes attack foreign bodies and microorganisms. However, in some cases, they begin to perceive the cells of their body as foreign, which leads to the appearance of the disease. In most cases, connective tissue is affected.

Almost all autoimmune diseases - rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Crohn's disease, are accompanied by an increase in temperature to 37 and above without symptoms. Although these diseases usually have a number of manifestations, they may not be noticeable at an early stage. To exclude such diseases, it is necessary to be examined by a doctor.

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is a very common infectious disease, which often proceeds without noticeable symptoms, with the exception of fever. It often affects pet owners, especially cats, which are carriers of bacilli. Therefore, if fluffy pets live in your home and the temperature is subfebrile, then this is a reason to suspect this disease.

Also, the disease can be contracted through poorly fried meat. To diagnose toxoplasmosis, a blood test should be taken to check for the infection. You should also pay attention to symptoms such as weakness, headaches, loss of appetite. The temperature in toxoplasmosis is not knocked down with the help of antipyretics.

Brucellosis

Brucellosis is another disease caused by an infection transmitted through animals. But this disease most often affects farmers who deal with livestock. The disease in the initial stage is expressed in a relatively low temperature. However, as the disease progresses, it may take severe forms while damaging the nervous system. However, if you do not work on a farm, then brucellosis can be ruled out as a cause of hyperthermia.

Tuberculosis

Alas, consumption, infamous from the works of classical literature, has not yet become part of history. Tuberculosis currently affects millions of people. And this disease is now characteristic not only for places not so remote, as many believe. Tuberculosis is a severe and persistent infectious disease that is difficult to treat even with the methods of modern medicine.

However, the effectiveness of treatment largely depends on how quickly the first signs of the disease were detected. To the most early signs The disease includes subfebrile condition without other clearly expressed symptoms. Sometimes temperatures above 37 ºC may not be observed all day, but only in the evening.

Other symptoms of tuberculosis include increased sweating, fatigue, insomnia, weight loss. To accurately determine if you have tuberculosis, you need to test for tuberculin (Mantoux test), as well as do a fluorography. It should be borne in mind that fluorography can only detect the pulmonary form of tuberculosis, while tuberculosis can also affect the genitourinary system, bones, skin and eyes. Therefore, relying only on this diagnostic method should not be.

AIDS

About 20 years ago, the diagnosis of AIDS meant a sentence. Now the situation is not so sad - modern drugs can support the life of an HIV-infected person for many years, if not decades. It is much easier to get infected with this disease than is commonly believed. This disease affects not only representatives of sexual minorities and drug addicts. You can pick up the immunodeficiency virus, for example, in a hospital with a blood transfusion, with accidental sexual contact.

Permanent low-grade fever is one of the first signs of the disease. Note. that in most cases, the weakening of the immune system in AIDS is accompanied by other symptoms - increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, skin rashes, impaired stools. If you have reason to suspect AIDS, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Worm infestations

Often, an infection in the body can be latent, and not show any signs other than fever. The foci of a sluggish infectious process can be located in almost any organ in cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, bone and muscle systems. The organs of urination are most often affected by inflammation (pyelonephritis, cystitis, urethritis).

Often, subfebrile condition can be associated with infective endocarditis - chronic inflammatory disease affecting the tissues surrounding the heart. This disease can be latent for a long time and not manifest in any other way.

Also, special attention should be paid to the oral cavity. This area of ​​the body is particularly vulnerable to pathogenic bacteria because they can enter it regularly. Even a simple untreated caries can become a focus of infection that will enter the bloodstream and cause a constant protective response of the immune system in the form of fever. Patients with diabetes who may experience non-healing ulcers that make themselves felt through fever.

Thyroid diseases

Thyroid hormones, such as thyroid-stimulating hormone, play an important role in regulating metabolism. Some thyroid diseases can increase the release of hormones. An increase in the amount of hormones can be accompanied by symptoms such as increased heart rate, weight loss, hypertension, inability to tolerate heat, deterioration of the hair and an increase in body temperature. Also observed are nervous disorders- increased anxiety, restlessness, absent-mindedness, neurasthenia.

An increase in temperature can also be observed with a lack of thyroid hormones. To exclude an imbalance of thyroid hormones, it is recommended to take a blood test for the level of thyroid hormones.

Addison's disease

This disease is quite rare and is expressed in a decrease in the production of hormones by the adrenal glands. She is long time develops without any special symptoms and is also often accompanied by a moderate increase in temperature.

Anemia

A slight increase in temperature can also cause a syndrome such as anemia. Anemia is a lack of hemoglobin or red blood cells in the body. This symptom can manifest itself in various diseases, it is especially characteristic of severe bleeding. Also, an increase in temperature can be observed with some beriberi, lack of iron and hemoglobin in the blood.

Medical treatment

At subfebrile temperature, the causes of the phenomenon may be medication. Many medications can cause fever. These include antibiotics, especially penicillin drugs, some psychotropic substances, in particular neuroleptics and antidepressants, antihistamines, atropine, muscle relaxants, narcotic analgesics.

Very often, an increase in temperature is one of the forms of an allergic reaction to the drug. Perhaps the easiest way to check this version is to stop taking the medicine that causes suspicion. Of course, this should be done with the permission of the attending physician, since drug withdrawal can lead to much more serious consequences than low-grade fever.

Age up to a year

In infants, the causes of subfebrile temperature may be natural processes body development. As a rule, in a person in the first months of life, the temperature is slightly higher than in adults. In addition, infants may experience violations of thermoregulation, which is expressed in a low subfebrile temperature. This phenomenon is not a symptom of pathology and should go away on its own. Although with an increase in temperature in infants, it is still better to show them to a doctor to rule out infections.

Intestinal diseases

Many infectious intestinal diseases can be asymptomatic, except for an increase in temperature above normal values. Also, a similar syndrome is characteristic of some inflammatory processes with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, for example, with ulcerative colitis.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis types B and C - severe viral diseases affecting the liver. As a rule, prolonged subfebrile condition accompanies sluggish forms of the disease. However, in most cases, it is not the only symptom. Usually, hepatitis is also accompanied by heaviness in the liver, especially after eating, yellowness of the skin, pain in the joints and muscles, and general weakness. If hepatitis is suspected, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible, since timely treatment reduces the likelihood of severe, life threatening complications.

Diagnosis of the causes of prolonged subfebrile condition

As you can see, there are a huge number of potential causes that can cause a violation of the body's thermoregulation. And it's not easy to find out why it happens. This can take a lot of time and require a lot of effort. However, there is always something from which such a phenomenon is observed. And an elevated temperature always says something, usually that something is wrong with the body.

As a rule, at home it is impossible to establish the cause of subfebrile condition. However, some conclusions about its nature can be drawn. All the reasons that cause fever can be divided into two groups - associated with some kind of inflammatory or infectious process and not associated with it.

• In the first case, taking antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetamol can restore normal temperature, albeit not for long.
• In the second case, taking such drugs does not give any effect. However, one should not think that the absence of inflammation makes the cause of subfebrile condition less serious. Conversely, non-inflammatory causes of low-grade fever can include such serious things as cancer.

As a rule, diseases are rare, the only symptom of which is subfebrile condition. In most cases, other symptoms are also present, such as pain, weakness, sweating, insomnia, dizziness, hypertension or hypotension, pulse disturbances, and abnormal gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms. However, often these symptoms are erased, and a simple person is usually not able to determine the diagnosis from them. But for an experienced doctor, the picture may be clear.

In addition to your symptoms, tell your doctor about your recent activities. For example, did you communicate with animals, what foods did you eat, did you travel to exotic countries, etc. When determining the cause, information about the patient's previous diseases is also used, because it is quite possible that subfebrile condition is the result of a relapse of some long-treated disease.

To establish or clarify the causes of subfebrile condition, usually need to pass several physiological tests. The first is a blood test. In the analysis, one should, first of all, pay attention to such a parameter as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. An increase in this parameter indicates an inflammatory process or infection. Also important are parameters such as the number of leukocytes, hemoglobin levels.

To detect HIV, hepatitis, special blood tests are needed. Urinalysis is also necessary, which will help determine if there are any inflammatory processes in the urinary tract. At the same time, attention is also paid to the number of leukocytes in the urine, as well as the presence of protein in it. To cut off the likelihood of helminthic invasions, a fecal analysis is performed.

If the analyzes do not allow to unambiguously determine the cause of the anomaly, then studies of the internal organs are carried out. For this, they can be used various methods– Ultrasound, radiography, computed and magnetic tomography.

x-ray chest can help identify pulmonary tuberculosis, and ECG - infective endocarditis. In some cases, a biopsy may be indicated.

Establishing a diagnosis in the case of subfebrile condition can often be complicated by the fact that the patient may have several potential causes of the syndrome at once, but it is not always easy to separate the true causes from the false ones.

What to do if you find yourself or your child has a persistent fever?

Which doctor should I contact with this symptom? The easiest way is to go to a therapist, and he, in turn, can give a referral to specialists - an endocrinologist, an infectious disease specialist, a surgeon, a neuropathologist, an otolaryngologist, a cardiologist, etc.

Of course, subfebrile temperature, unlike febrile temperature, does not pose a danger to the body and therefore does not require symptomatic treatment. Treatment in such a case is always aimed at eliminating the hidden causes of the disease. Self-medication, for example, with antibiotics or antipyretics, without a clear understanding of actions and goals is unacceptable, since it can not only be ineffective and lubricate clinical picture, but it will also lead to the fact that the real ailment will be launched.

But from the insignificance of a symptom it does not follow that it should not be paid attention to. Vice versa, subfebrile temperature is a reason to undergo a thorough examination. This step cannot be postponed until later, reassuring yourself that this syndrome is not dangerous to health. It should be understood that behind such a seemingly insignificant malfunction of the body, there can be serious problems. published .

P.S. And remember, just by changing your consumption, we are changing the world together! © econet

Subfebrile body temperature (low-grade fever, low-grade fever) is a constant increase in body temperature ranging from 37.1 ° C to 38.0 ° C, observed for a long time, from two weeks to several months or years.

Causes of febrile temperature

Possible causes of subfebrile temperature, not associated with the disease

1. An increase in body temperature can be caused by a decrease in heat transfer, for example, with the introduction of atropine, or an increase in heat production during overheating.
2. An increase in the formation of energy and heat production in the body, followed by subfebrile condition, occurs during stress reactions and with the introduction of certain drugs (phenamine, muscle relaxants).
3. Functional violations of thermoregulation can be hereditary (about 2% of healthy children are born with a body temperature above 37°C).
4. Emotional overstrain can lead to impaired thermoregulation due to activation of the hypothalamus.
5. Premenstrual syndrome - an increase in body temperature is due to an increase in the blood content of steroid hormones and their metabolites (etiocholanolone, pregnane), and is not a targeted biological reaction, but genetically determined.
6. Pregnancy can lead to an increase in body temperature up to 37.2°C - 37.3°C. Most often, body temperature becomes normal by the end of the first trimester, but in some women it may remain elevated throughout pregnancy, which is associated with an increase in progesterone production.
7. A short-term increase in body temperature can be during intensive physical activity in a hot room.

Possible causes of subfebrile temperature associated with the disease

All diseases leading to a subfebrile increase in body temperature can be divided into two large groups:

I. Increase in body temperature associated with the action of pyrogens- Substances that, entering the body from outside or being formed inside it, cause fever.

Do not forget about sexually transmitted infections. The widespread uncontrolled use of antibiotics in modern reality can lead to a long asymptomatic course of a number of diseases (for example, chlamydia, syphilis, etc.), when low-grade fever will be the only sign of the disease. HIV infection can also be accompanied by low-grade fever, which is possible even before the appearance of positive laboratory tests.

The reason for the increase in body temperature to subfebrile numbers during infectious processes is the production of specific endotoxins by the pathogenic flora with weak pyrogenicity (the ability to increase the temperature of the human body) and a weak ability to cause an adequate immune response.

2. Of the diseases associated with changes in the body's immune response a, subfebrile fever is accompanied by rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, collagenosis, sarcoidosis, chronic enteritis, ulcerative colitis, post-infarction syndrome, drug allergies. The mechanism of occurrence of subfebrile condition in this case is as follows: the synthesis of endogenous (internal) pyrogen by specific cells (monocyte-macrophage cells) increases and their activity increases due to an increase in the sensitivity of the body. The processes of aseptic (in the absence of infection) tissue melting are also important, causing the so-called resorptive fever, for example, in recurrent myocardial infarction, pulmonary infarction, hemorrhages in the body cavity and tissue, etc.

It is also possible that the temperature rises when allergic reactions(for example, on medications when vaccinated).

3. With malignant tumors subfebrile temperature can be one of the earliest manifestations of the disease, sometimes 6 to 8 months ahead of its other symptoms. At the same time, the formation of immune complexes plays a role in the development of subfebrile condition, which trigger immune response, but the earliest increase in body temperature is associated with the production of a protein with pyrogenic properties by the tumor tissue. In most tumors, this protein can be found in the blood, urine, tumor tissue. In the absence of local manifestations of a malignant tumor, a combination of a subfebrile increase in body temperature with specific changes in the blood has a diagnostic value. Subfebrile condition is characteristic for exacerbation of chronic myeloid leukemia and lymphocytic leukemia, lymphomas and lymphosarcomas.

II. Subfebrile fever that occurs without the participation of pyrogens, observed in diseases and conditions that violate the function of thermoregulation.

With endocrine system disorders (pheochromocytoma, thyrotoxicosis, pathological menopause, etc.), subfebrile fever may be the result of increased energy and heat production in the body.

The existence of the so-called thermoneurosis, characterized by the presence of subfebrile condition, as a manifestation of a persistent disorder of heat transfer as a result of a functional lesion of the temperature center, which occurs with autonomic dysfunction in children, adolescents and young women. Such subfebrile fever often depends on the intensity of physical and mental activity, often characterized by a large range of daily temperature fluctuations (about 1 °) and its normalization during nocturnal sleep.

Thermoregulation disorders can be a manifestation of the organic pathology of the nervous system at the level of the brain stem. Also, in the occurrence of subfebrile fever, mechanical irritation of the hypothalamus may have a certain value. Head injuries, endocrine shifts are factors provoking a violation of thermoregulation. Cases of low-grade fever with iron deficiency anemia are described.

Difficulty in diagnosing functional reasons low-grade fever is that about half of the patients have foci of chronic infection.

Examination at subfebrile temperature

When examining patients for subfebrile temperature, it is necessary to exclude false subfebrile condition. It is necessary to keep in mind the incorrect readings of a thermometer that does not correspond to the standard, the possibility of simulation, the artificial increase in body temperature by patients with psychopathy and hysteria, caused by various methods. In the latter case, the discrepancy between temperature and pulse attracts attention.

If false subfebrile condition is excluded, then it is necessary to conduct an epidemic and clinical examination of the patient. In view of the extensive list of causes of subfebrile fever, it is necessary individual approach to the examination of each patient. The patient finds out not only information about previously transferred diseases and surgical interventions, but also living conditions and professional data. Be sure to find out hobbies, recent travel, the use of any drugs or alcohol, possible contact with animals. A detailed physical examination is required. Next, a standard laboratory examination is carried out.

1. Complete blood count: an increase in the number of leukocytes is possible with infectious diseases, hemolytic anemia in malignant neoplasms.
2. Urinalysis: in chronic urinary tract infections, leukocytes and protein appear in the urine.
3. X-ray of the chest organs - specific signs of lung gangrene, lung abscess, tuberculosis (in the presence of this pathology) will be visible.
4. ECG: there may be changes characteristic of bacterial endocarditis.
5. Blood for HIV infection.
6. Blood on viral hepatitis B and C.
7. Blood on RW (syphilis).
8. Blood cultures with sensitivity to antibiotics are performed if sepsis is suspected.
9. Urine cultures with sensitivity to antibiotics should be done for urinary tract infections.
10. Sputum culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

If this examination did not help to establish a diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and small pelvis, donate blood for tumor markers, blood for rheumatoid factor, thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4), it is possible to use more invasive diagnostic procedures(biopsy). May be informative in some cases. CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging.

Treatment at subfibrile temperature

An increase in temperature within subfebrile numbers practically does not worsen the general condition of the patient and, therefore, does not require symptomatic treatment. The temperature decreases when the disease or cause that led to it is eliminated. given state. For example, with adnexitis, prostatitis and other foci of chronic infection, antibiotic therapy is necessary. With neuropsychiatric disorders, sedatives and antidepressants are used. However, it must be remembered that self-medication (especially antibacterial drugs, hormonal agents, salicylates, etc.) without clarifying the cause of subfebrile temperature is unacceptable, since these drugs can affect the course of the disease, “lubricate” the severity of specific symptoms, can harm the patient, subsequently aggravate the course of the disease, and also make it difficult to make a correct diagnosis .

What is dangerous subfebrile temperature

Subfebrile condition is dangerous because for a long time it may not be noticed by the patient and is detected by chance. But due to the fact that the symptom does not bring physical suffering to the patient, the examination, and, consequently, the full treatment is postponed indefinitely. However, prolonged subfebrile fever can serve as a symptom of such life-threatening diseases as HIV infection, malignant neoplasms, bacterial endocarditis, etc.

Which doctors to contact with subfebrile temperature

Therapist. Depending on the accompanying symptoms and the identified cause of the temperature rise, the help of doctors may be needed: an infectious disease specialist, an endocrinologist, a cardiologist, an otolaryngologist.

Therapist Kletkina Yu.V.

Two or even a month, it can be infectious and non-infectious in nature. In less than 0.01% of people, subfebrile temperature is normal for life - this is simply a hereditary feature of the body. In three-year-olds, the upper limit of the norm is 37.7. In the morning, the thermometer should show lower values, up to 37.2. What parents consider a fever may be a normal temperature background and have no reason.

When 37-38.3℃ is a sign of illness

But if subfebrile fever, regardless of the cause, is accompanied by signs of a disease state, then it has a pathological origin, and it is necessary to identify the cause of the trouble. These symptoms will tell us that the body temperature of 37-38 in a child at 3 years old is caused by clinical changes:

• high nervousness;
• appetite and sleep disturbances;
• severe sweating;
• rapid pulse and breathing;
• the child is lethargic and weak.

Subfebrile condition is considered long if it lasts 2 weeks or more. For babies 3 years old, this condition is less typical than for 7-15 year old children, in whom it can be explained by periods of active growth.

Infectious causes of subfebrile fever

Moderate temperature background can accompany many diseases in chronic form. Dr. Komarovsky is especially worried when he talks about such a temperature so that parents do not miss a kidney or urinary tract infection. It in a child at 3 years old can be almost asymptomatic, manifested only by fever up to 38℃.

Features of infectious subfebrile fever in children at the age of 3:

• daily fluctuations are expressed - lower in the morning, higher in the evening;
• noticeable negative impact on well-being;
• easily knocked down by antipyretics (although it is not necessary to take them at subfebrile temperature in most cases).

Non-infectious causes of subfebrile condition

A prolonged increase in temperature in a child at 3 years old up to 37.5-38.3 can also cause disorders in the body that are not associated with infections. It can be:

• autoimmune diseases: thyroiditis, rheumatic heart disease, systemic lupus, rheumatoid arthritis;
• Iron-deficiency anemia ;
• oncological diseases;
• disorders of the endocrine glands: adrenal glands, pituitary gland, thyroid gland;
• prolonged or intense emotional experiences.

It is possible to distinguish non-infectious fever from microbial by the following signs:

• there are no daily temperature fluctuations or their regularity is violated;
• antipyretics do not work - this is used for diagnosis.

How are they looking for the cause of subfebrile temperature?

In pediatrics, there is a certain scheme for searching for the origin of prolonged subfebrile condition. It includes:

• monitoring for one or several days, the temperature is measured in a child every 4 hours, and in a dream too;
• inspection skin, mucous membranes, joints, ENT organs with palpation of the lymph nodes, abdomen, listening to noises in the lungs and heart;
• careful history taking and listening to complaints;
• urine, sputum, blood tests (general, serological, biochemical):
• according to indications, hardware examination (ultrasound, ECG, CT, X-ray);
• consultations of a phthisiatrician, infectious disease specialist, rheumatologist, oncologist, neurologist, hematologist, gynecologist (girls);
• examination of parents and other living relatives for undiagnosed infections.