High temperature during colds and flu - should it be brought down?

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— Influenza — Temperature during influenza
High temperature during influenza, as with other infectious diseases, performs a protective function: it supports and enhances the immune response, while limiting the proliferation of viruses and bacteria. However, some patients experience fever very seriously. A high temperature can cause life-threatening conditions or signal the development of complications.

Flu and fever

When describing the characteristic signs of influenza, patients and medical workers first of all note high temperature as a typical symptom of the disease: it quickly “grows” to high numbers and persists even against the background of antipyretic drugs. “What a shame - I’m sick!” - a workaholic with aching muscles, headache and severe weakness may exclaim. He will exclaim and begin feverishly to “bring down” the temperature using any available means in order to get rid of the infection in 2 days and continue to perform work feats.

He does not yet know that Canadian scientists have already conducted a study on the massive use of antipyretic drugs during the flu epidemic. And they came to the conclusion that such “treatment” only contributes to the spread of infection. Why?

Yes, because any person infected with the flu begins to spread the virus. But if he stops closely communicating with other people, takes sick leave and begins treatment, then the likelihood of “sharing” the virus decreases. The workaholic continues to lead a normal life and thinks that he was able to “deceive the system.”

Fever is a natural reaction of the body in response to infectious (bacteria, viruses) or non-infectious causes. The mechanism of hyperthermia is associated with an increase in heat production and limited heat transfer. The hypothalamus, adrenal glands, and thyroid gland play an important role in regulating body temperature. Its increase against the background of infectious diseases occurs due to the action of pyrogen substances, which are the decay products of viruses or bacteria, and body proteins.

The classification of fevers is based on the degree of increase in body temperature:

subfebrile - temperature up to 38 ° C;
febrile - temperature from 38 °C to 39 °C;
pyretic - temperature from 39 °C - 41 °C,
hyperpyretic - the temperature exceeds 41 °C.

Fever during influenza is subjectively difficult to tolerate, but it speeds up the basal metabolism by 1.5 times and activates the body’s defenses:

stimulates antibody synthesis;
inhibits the reproduction and spread of the virus;
enhances the bactericidal properties of blood;
accelerates the neutralization of toxins by the liver;
activates kidney function.

Explaining how the body fights the influenza virus, infectious disease specialists note that an increase in temperature to 38-38.5 °C is “sufficient” to activate defenses and begin to destroy the infection. With such values, adults and children, as a rule, cope with the manifestations of the disease themselves and do not need to take antipyretics. Virus replication is stopped. Against the background of high temperature, the vessels dilate, and more immunoglobulins come to the site of infection with the blood. These are proteins that “pick up” infectious agents and, as part of immune complexes, are removed from the body. This way a person gets rid of the flu virus faster and recovers.

An increase in temperature to 39 °C or more can already cause harm to the body - the nervous, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems suffer.

Reasons for the increase

A child does not develop a high temperature without a reason.
However, it is very difficult for parents to find the cause at home. It is for this reason that it is advisable to show the baby to the pediatrician. The most common reasons are:

1. Colds and viral diseases.
2. Intestinal infections.
3. Inflammatory diseases of internal organs.
4. Pneumonia and other lung diseases.
5. Inflammation of the ears, especially otitis media.
6. Sore throat.

At the same time, parents need to understand what a normal temperature value is. The average human body temperature remains at 36.6 – 36.9 degrees. Anything below this figure is called hypothermia. Anything higher is hyperthermia. This indicator is also classified according to another scale, which is often used by doctors.

Low-grade fever is in the range of 37 – 37.9. This is followed by febrile, which starts from 38 and ends at 38.9. If there are higher numbers on the thermometer, then it is already paretic, and above 41 degrees is called hyperpyretic.

How does the temperature rise and how long does it last for the flu?

The infection begins acutely with an increase in temperature. The patient feels chills. This is the contraction of small fibers of skeletal muscles, “producing” heat. Pyrogens act on the brain, causing a subjective feeling of cold. A person who is just getting sick with the flu is trying to warm up. Peripheral vessels narrow to reduce heat transfer. The patient notices how his hands and feet become cold.

When the temperature reaches high values, the vessels begin to expand. The chills stop and the person feels “hot.” His face turns red and sweating increases (this is the so-called “red” hyperthermia). In most patients with influenza, the fever stops at 38-39 degrees, there are no pronounced disturbances in thermoregulation. When answering the question of how long the flu fever usually lasts in such cases, infectious disease specialists point to an interval of 2 to 5 days.

On days 2-4, a cough develops, which signals that the trachea has been infected by the virus. If the immune system is weak, a secondary infection may occur. In this case, the temperature will last longer.

In more severe cases, the temperature rises to 39-40 °C within several hours. Disturbances in thermoregulation occur when, even against the background of fever, the body continues to “think” that it is cold, and heat production begins to significantly dominate over heat transfer. The arteries remain in a narrowed state, and overheating (“white” hyperthermia) develops. In addition, the influenza virus also affects the vascular walls, disrupting microcirculation, which primarily affects the brain. This condition poses a threat to the life and health of the patient and requires immediate hospitalization. It is difficult to predict how long the flu with such symptoms will last, and how long the fever will persist.

How to reduce a child’s temperature with medications - tablets, syrups

Today one of the most popular drugs is Nurofen.
It is available in the form of syrup, capsules and rectal suppositories. For each age, you can choose your own option to safely and painlessly give medicine to your baby. Paracetamol, which can be found in the pharmacy in the form of tablets or syrup, has a good effect.

Some parents use ibuprofen, which is recommended for acute inflammatory diseases, teething and other pathological conditions, starting from 6 months.

Fluctuations in temperature due to influenza

After the first clinical symptoms appear, patients note that the fever lasts up to 4-5 days. While taking medications, the temperature drops to low-grade levels, without reaching normal values. Episodes of relative increase are associated with further spread of the virus. The death of epithelial cells of the respiratory tract leads to the formation of foci of necrosis - this is how the protective barrier is destroyed.

In addition, influenza suppresses the immune system, reducing the number of white blood cells. Damaged epithelium and weak local protection create favorable conditions for the massive proliferation of opportunistic flora - a secondary bacterial infection occurs. Infectious agents such as:

Haemophilus influenzae (or Haemophilus influenzae);
Staphylococcus aureus (or Staphylococcus aureus);
Streptococcus pneumoniae (or Streptococcus pneumoniae).

Therefore, microbial pneumonia is considered the most common complication of influenza. It should be considered if the patient's fever lasts longer than 5 days. Sometimes bacterial pneumonia develops earlier - 3-4 days from the onset of the disease.

It is indicated by a specific change in the temperature curve: after a short period of normalization (without the help of drugs), the patient begins to have a fever again. Therapists warn zealous workaholics about this development of events. If these patients with untreated flu strive to bring down the temperature as soon as possible and “get back to work,” they risk ending up in a hospital bed with pneumonia, pleurisy and losing their health or life.

If the temperature is low

It happens that with ARVI, the thermometer freezes at below 360C. How to feel about this and what to do? Hypothermia can be caused by excessive sweating. You need to wipe your armpit dry and measure your temperature again. A temperature reaction that is inadequate to the general condition often occurs in older people, pregnant women, and patients with severe concomitant diseases and endocrine pathologies. Sometimes the cause of hypothermia is the abuse of antipyretic drugs, so you should always strictly follow the instructions for taking the drug. Even if the temperature is normal, you should not ignore the symptoms of ARVI: the less nasal congestion and the less frequent sneezing, the less viruses will spread. The combined drug TheraFlu for colds and flu has antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, decongestant, analgesic and antiallergic effects, which helps improve well-being5 even at normal and low body temperature. In any case, if cold symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor. After all, only a specialist can adequately assess the condition and symptoms of the disease and select the necessary treatment.

When a fever becomes dangerous

An increase in temperature in itself can pose a health hazard depending on individual characteristics. Thus, patients of any age with organic lesions of the central nervous system (trauma, tumors, vascular changes, consequences of perinatal pathology) can be very sensitive to the adverse effects of hyperthermia.

An increase in temperature increases metabolism in all tissues, including the brain. Nerve cells need more oxygen, and virus-affected or narrowed vessels cannot meet their needs. In addition, against the background of fever, the production of cerebrospinal fluid may increase, and the outflow may become more difficult.

Hypoxia and compression of the brain causes severe headaches, impaired consciousness, and the appearance of convulsions. Young children with a hereditary tendency to epilepsy or a history of perinatal pathology are predisposed to the development of so-called febrile seizures - seizures occur against the background of an increase in temperature and are often accompanied by loss of consciousness.

For expectant mothers, a high temperature or one that persists for several days also poses a danger. Influenza in the early stages can provoke spontaneous termination of pregnancy; in the first trimester it causes developmental anomalies and deformities, and later – toxic damage to fetal organs and disruption of uteroplacental blood flow. Among the most common child diseases:

heart defects;
damage to the organs of hearing and vision;
mental retardation;
developmental anomalies of the skeleton, skull, anterior abdominal wall.

Answering the question whether it is possible to lower the temperature during the flu, infectious disease specialists talk about patients for whom fever is especially dangerous:

pregnant women with fever over 38.5 °C;
children with complaints of lethargy, weakness, a history of convulsive syndrome at a temperature of 38 °C;
adults with poor tolerance to body temperature above 38 °C (subjectively feel a significant deterioration in their condition, suffer from severe muscle and joint pain, headaches).

Treatment of acute respiratory infections in adults

Often, when you have a cold, there is a risk of complications. This is why diagnosing a cold is necessary. Typically, after diagnosing the symptoms of acute respiratory infections in adults, treatment includes drug therapy.

In the first days after illness, it is recommended to remain in bed. It is important to ventilate the room more often and reduce the ambient temperature to avoid spreading the virus and infecting others. With any virus, it is necessary to consume a large amount of fluid in order to quickly remove toxins from the body. If the immune system is in order, then it itself is able to cope with the disease, the main thing is not to interfere1.

In case of complications or dangerous viruses, such as influenza, the body requires medicinal support:

Sore throat is treated by gargling with special solutions, expectorants and emollients.
Cough is treated with expectorants, antitussives or emollients (depending on the type of cough). Let us note that such a popular folk remedy as “breathing over potatoes” is highly not recommended by experts, since there is a high probability of getting a burn to the mucous membrane. It can also be dangerous at elevated body temperatures.
At high temperatures, analgesics and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are prescribed.
To combat viruses, special antiviral drugs are used.
Immunostimulants are prescribed to help the immune system.
In case of bacterial infection, local antibacterial drugs are used.
For nasal congestion, vasoconstrictors and sea water preparations are recommended.
In especially severe cases, antibiotics are prescribed (under the strict supervision of a specialist).2

How and when to lower your temperature

When dealing with fever, patients should be divided into 2 categories:

those for whom rising temperatures pose a danger to life and health;
all the rest are sick.

Treatment of influenza often begins on an outpatient basis: a person comes to an appointment or calls a doctor at home. An examination by a specialist allows you to assess the severity of the patient’s condition and the possibility of further progression of the disease. If the therapist (or pediatrician) decides that the patient is being treated at home, he explains what to pay attention to, how often the temperature should be measured, and what medications and non-drug medications can be used to reduce it. If a serious condition is suspected, or a rapidly developing deterioration in health, the doctor will suggest hospitalization in the infectious diseases department.

Medicines to reduce fever

According to the protocol for managing a patient with influenza, medications to combat fever are prescribed along with antiviral drugs. The selection of the drug depends on age and individual characteristics.

For adult patients, the following are primarily recommended:

acetylsalicylic acid;
ibuprofen;
naproxen.

If they are insufficiently effective, an increase in neurological symptoms (severe headaches, dizziness), or disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system, a second drug with an antipyretic effect is added - paracetamol or analgin. Questions about the frequency of administration and daily dosage should be discussed with your doctor. He will explain whether it is possible and necessary to lower the temperature during influenza (or ARVI) to 36 °C. Somatically healthy adult patients are recommended to take medications for hyperthermia above 38.5 °C.

Pregnant women receive treatment only under the supervision of a doctor. You should immediately consult a specialist if you have symptoms such as:

poor tolerance to fever;
fluctuations in blood pressure;
abdominal pain, increased uterine tone;
cessation or intensification of fetal movements.

The condition of children should be assessed more carefully, as they may tolerate fever less well; even in the absence of obvious neurological problems, they are more likely to experience episodes of impaired consciousness and convulsive syndrome. In addition, the ratio of body area to weight in children is greater than in adults: against the background of high temperature, dehydration begins earlier. Another criterion for the use of antipyretics in pediatric practice is the reduction or cessation of sweating in a child due to fever.

If a bacterial infection is suspected, the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic. You should not “carry out prevention” on your own.

Non-drug remedies for fever

Physical remedies can also help cope with hyperthermia. These include: drinking, temperature conditions. Here are the basic rules:

The room temperature should not exceed 22 °C, the room should be ventilated regularly. To combat dryness, spraying water in the air and humidifiers are used.
The patient should not be wrapped up; if the temperature drops and there is profuse sweating, the clothes are changed.
In case of high fever, wiping with a towel soaked in warm water is acceptable. A warm shower is recommended for children. Moisture evaporates from the skin and lowers the temperature. The use of vodka, vinegar, or rubbing with a dry towel is unacceptable.
A patient with the flu loses a lot of fluid, which leads to increased intoxication and worsening of the condition. To remove decay products, it is important to drink at least 2 liters/day. It is necessary to give preference to plain water, fruit drink, compote.

An increase in temperature during influenza helps the body localize and destroy the virus. In case of severe fever and poor tolerability of the condition, the patient needs to be prescribed drug therapy. You should immediately consult a doctor if your condition continues to worsen even with treatment.

Is immunity really developed?

There is no consensus on this matter.
It is believed that high temperature is the body’s response to the penetration of viruses, microbes, and bacteria into it. And the pyretic mechanism, which turns on at this moment, helps to literally “fry” all these harmful strangers. When are antipyretic medications needed? Many pediatricians advise parents to do the following - if the baby has a fever, and he tolerates it quite well, continues to do his work, plays and does not experience weakness - then antipyretics should not be given up to the maximum limit of 38.5 degrees.

If the baby is literally lying flat, and in previous cases of hyperthermia he had convulsions or vomiting, then the medicine must be given, and not wait for the number 38.5 on the thermometer.