Heading down. When and how to lower the temperature during COVID-19?

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Serebryakova

Oksana Evgenievna

Experience 26 years

Local therapist, candidate of medical sciences, member of the Russian Scientific Medical Society of Therapists

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High temperature is an unpleasant symptom, characteristic of many diseases, and a sure indicator of the presence of a disease. Reducing the reading to normal does not mean being cured, and you also need to know what temperature to lower. It is necessary not only to achieve a decrease in temperature, alleviating the patient’s condition, but also to eliminate the source of the inflammatory process.

To effectively fight the disease, you need the help of a qualified doctor who will determine the cause of the condition, which manifests itself:

• with chills of varying severity;
• feeling of loss of strength;
• headache, aches and pains;
• increased sweating;
• arrhythmia;
• loss of appetite;
• dry lips and skin.

How to lower an adult's fever: 8 best drugs

September 14, 2022
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Content

• How to choose fever pills
• Why does the temperature rise
• What to do at elevated temperatures
• How to reduce fever without medication
• The best antipyretics
• Paracetamol
• Nimesil
• Nurofen Long
• Theraflu ExtraTab
• Ibuklin
• Maxicold
• Rinza
• Aspirin

An increase in temperature is a signal from the body that there is an inflammatory process somewhere. An increase in temperature is a protective response of the immune system, the purpose of which is to eliminate the problem. But there are situations when the temperature urgently needs to be brought down. We will tell you which antipyretic pills are best to choose.

What happens in the body?

In order to determine the purpose of our actions (when and what temperature to lower), let’s consider the mechanism for increasing it.

The thermoregulation center of every person is located in the brain (in the hypothalamus). When pathogenic particles enter the body, it triggers the process of activating the immune system. Specific interferon proteins - pyrogens - are produced, and antibodies are synthesized. All of them are capable of fighting foreign particles and at the same time trigger a mechanism for increasing temperature. For example, the higher the temperature rises, the more interferon is produced. Thus, the body is capable of defeating even the most dangerous microorganisms on its own, and a temperature of 38 degrees indicates this fight. It is not advisable to knock it down to give your own immunity a chance.

There is only one problem with this: all pathogenic bacteria are “burned” by temperatures above 40 degrees (pneumococci, gonococci, spirochetes), but humans are also living organisms and they are also destructive for them. This means that there is a limit, having crossed which, it is vital to bring down the temperature.

How to choose fever pills

Antipyretic drugs come in two categories:

• antipyretics
  (such drugs have a good antipyretic effect, they relieve pain a little, but do not in any way affect the source of inflammation). These are mainly paracetamol-based drugs;
• NSAIDs
  (these drugs relieve inflammation, reduce pain and reduce fever). In this category, the most famous drug is aspirin, but it has a lot of side effects. Today, instead of aspirin, there are many other, safer drugs for fever. One of them is ibuprofen.

Causes of temperature 39

Since ancient times, temperature has been considered the main and oldest indicator of a person’s internal state. So, if the temperature is 39 without symptoms, then this may indicate the occurrence of an inflammatory process caused by one of the factors:

• common infectious diseases (flu, sore throat, ARVI, pneumonia, dysentery);
• rare infections (malaria);
• development of an inflammatory (purulent) focus after operations, injuries;
• thermal burns;
• endocrine disorders (pancreatitis);
• exacerbation of inflammation previously present (pyelonephritis, hepatitis, adnexitis).

A high temperature depends on the reactions occurring in the body, and not on the severity of the disease. The younger the person and the stronger his immunity, the stronger the temperature reaction.

There are other temperature changes associated with age. For example, in children during teething, the limits of temperature increase can reach 39.

Why does the temperature rise

The temperature can rise for various reasons. All of them can be divided into the following groups:

1. Infectious diseases caused by viruses (ARVI, influenza, intestinal infections, coronavirus, etc.).
2. Infections caused by bacteria (tonsillitis, bronchitis, pharyngitis, pneumonia, skin inflammation and intestinal infections).
3. Complications after operations, post-traumatic complications due to infection and tissue inflammation.
4. Autoimmune diseases.
5. Oncological processes (including blood diseases).

Also, body temperature may increase after overheating, against the background of endocrine diseases, due to problems with metabolism or taking certain medications. Non-pathological causes of fever also include: stress, premenstrual syndrome, menstruation, pregnancy, teething in babies.

By the way, a slightly elevated temperature can sometimes be a variant of the norm - as an individual feature of the body.

What to do if a fever appears after vaccination?

Fever after vaccination is not always a complication. Often its appearance is a normal reaction of the body to a foreign body, pathogens. The immune system receives a load and intensifies the fight against the disease, which occurs in a mild form. How the body will react to the introduction of substances, no physician can make an accurate prediction. Not everyone gets sick after vaccination.

You should remember about contraindications to vaccination and do not vaccinate during or after suffering from infectious diseases, exacerbations of chronic diseases, allergies, complications from previous vaccination, and other cases that your doctor will remind you about. For a full consultation, you can contact JSC “Medicine” (clinic of academician Roitberg).

What to do at elevated temperatures

If you have a slight fever, do not rush to immediately swallow an antipyretic. If the numbers are 38-38.5, just try to have a good rest, drink a lot of warm liquids and get some sleep. Give the body the opportunity to cope with the infection on its own.

If you feel normal at an elevated temperature (up to 38.5 degrees), you are at home, you can try to lower the temperature without pills: wipe your body with a damp towel moistened with water at room temperature.

But if you do not tolerate an increase in temperature, it has risen above 38.5 degrees, be sure to take an antipyretic. Especially if you have a headache, general weakness or convulsions (in this case you need to call an ambulance).

Take any medications (including antipyretics) with caution if you are prone to allergies. Often tablets or syrups for fever contain flavorings and dyes.

Often the dose of fever medication is calculated based on body weight. If a child’s temperature has risen, it can only be brought down with certain medications, so be sure to check the instructions for contraindications.

Tablets for fever, as we wrote above, are divided into two groups: NSAIDs and antipyretics. Drugs based on NSAIDs in combination with antispasmodics are good at reducing fever, which does not decrease for a long time (usually emergency doctors give such injections). But before using drugs with NSAIDs, it is necessary to assess the general health of the patient - NSAIDs are contraindicated for gastrointestinal diseases.

At elevated temperatures, it is imperative to look for the cause and fight it. This is usually a viral or bacterial infection. If it is bacterial, antibiotics are prescribed, but if it is a virus, then there is no special treatment, only symptomatic. Antiviral drugs are ineffective here. It is important to immediately consult a doctor if antipyretic drugs do not reduce the temperature well or the condition only worsens.

Fever without symptoms: what to do

Sometimes there may be no symptoms of fever: no cough, headaches, runny nose, fatigue or chills. Fever without symptoms can occur in two cases: fever without a source of infection and fever of unknown origin.

Fever without a source of infection affects children under 3 years of age who do not have catarrhal symptoms (runny nose, cough, sputum) and other signs that indicate the cause of the pathology and its location. Fever without a focus of infection occurs with viral and bacterial diseases, most often with pneumococcal infection, Haemophilus influenzae, typhoid and salmonella. In this case, you need to show the child to a pediatrician or call an ambulance, as it is necessary to quickly establish the cause and begin treatment.

Fever of unknown origin is a syndrome in which fever (38.5 0C and above) does not go away on its own and lasts longer than 3 weeks. However, the cause could not be determined after using routine diagnostic methods. Probable causes: infections (most often tuberculosis), autoimmune diseases, malignant neoplasms, medications, alcoholic cirrhosis, Crohn's disease. If you have a fever of unknown origin, you need to see a doctor and be hospitalized so that doctors can monitor the patient constantly.

How to reduce fever without medication

There are non-drug methods of reducing fever that can be used either alone or while taking antipyretics.

1. If you are feeling chilly, you should not wrap yourself up too much, so as not to disrupt heat transfer - this will only aggravate the condition. You need to cover yourself until you are comfortable, but not too hot.
2. Don't forget to have enough liquid. The body tries to cool down - the body sweats and loses fluid. If there is little water in the body, the condition will worsen. The liquid also helps remove waste products of pathogenic microorganisms from the body.
3. If you don't have an appetite, don't force yourself (or your child) to eat. During illness, all the body's strength is spent fighting infection.
4. To reduce your temperature without medication, wipe your body with a towel moistened with water at room temperature.
5. At elevated temperatures, ice can be applied to large vessels. First you need to crush the ice and put it in a bag. An ice pack should be applied through a towel - to the groin folds, armpits, forehead, popliteal fossa.
6. Raspberry, cherry, currant, and strawberry jam are considered folk remedies for fever (you can add tea or simply stir with warm water).

If the above methods of reducing fever do not work, be sure to take an antipyretic.

The concept of normal for body temperature

Normal body temperature is considered to be 36.6°C, but this figure can fluctuate. The lowest value is observed in the morning, the maximum in the evening. An increase in temperature is facilitated by eating, drinking alcohol, exercising, stimulating the nervous system, being under the sun, or in a steam room. It is considered normal if a person’s temperature is 36.2°C in the morning and 36.7°C in the evening. A peculiarity of the female body is that the temperature decreases a few days before ovulation and increases when ovulation occurs.

The norm for an adult is considered to be between 35°C and 37°C, for children under 3 years of age – up to 37.5°C. In summary, a temperature of 35°C should not cause panic.

How to measure temperature:

• if you measure under the armpit, then a value of 36.6°C is considered normal;
• if in the mouth, then the indicator is half a degree higher;
• if in the rectum, then to get the result subtract 1 degree from the value on the thermometer.

The range from 37.1°C to 38°C is considered to be above normal. If low-grade fever persists for a long time, measures must be taken. An indicator of 38.1°C is already a high temperature that requires urgent help for the body.

Paracetamol

You can buy Paracetamol in tablets, capsules, syrup, suspension and in the form of rectal suppositories. The active substance is paracetamol. The antipyretic is available without a prescription. This is the safest remedy, effective and prescribed for ARVI. Compared to other drugs, Paracetamol is weaker because it does not have an anti-inflammatory effect - for bacterial infections it is better to choose other tablets for fever. Paracetamol moderately reduces headaches and reduces general malaise. The temperature begins to drop 30-40 minutes after taking the drug, the effect lasts for 4-6 hours. Paracetamol is safe for both children and the elderly, pregnant and lactating women. The only exception is people with severe liver disease and chronic alcoholism. Paracetamol should not be taken with alcohol, for prophylaxis or as a course - only at high temperatures.

Paracetamol MS

Medisorb, Russia

Paracetamol is used for: relieving moderate or mild pain (headache, toothache, migraine, sore throat, neuralgia, myalgia);
reducing elevated body temperature during colds and other infectious and inflammatory diseases. Paracetamol is intended for symptomatic therapy, reducing pain and inflammation at the time of use, does not affect the progression of the disease. from 2

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Temperature does not go down - when to call an ambulance

After using paracetamol or ibuprofen, body temperature should decrease at a rate of 0.5–1 0 C per hour. However, sometimes the fever remains at the same level, while the patient’s well-being worsens. In what cases should you call an ambulance or go to the hospital yourself if:

• taking medications according to the regimens described above did not produce any effect;
• for “white” fever, analgin had no effect;
• fever is combined with concomitant pathologies: epilepsy, intracranial hypertension, hydrocephalus, congenital heart defects;
• against the background of fever, the patient refuses to drink and eat, has difficulty breathing and cannot sleep;
• fever is accompanied by severe abdominal pain and incessant vomiting.

If the temperature rises, even despite taking medications, most likely this is a pathological variant of fever - hyperthermic syndrome, in which antipyretic drugs are not effective. This is also one of the reasons to call an ambulance and be hospitalized.

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Author: Atamanenko Alena Valerievna

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Nimesil

The active ingredient of the antipyretic drug is nimesulide. These are NSAIDs with pronounced anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic effects. You can buy Nimesil at the pharmacy in individual sachets. Among the contraindications to taking Nimesil are diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (the full list is listed in the instructions, so be sure to read it before taking the drug). "Nimesil" should be used only after consultation with a doctor.

Nimesil

Berlin-Chemie/Menarini, Germany

Treatment of acute pain (back pain, lower back pain; pain syndrome in the musculoskeletal system, including injuries, sprains and dislocations of joints, tendonitis, bursitis; toothache);
— symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis with pain syndrome; - algodismenorrhea. The drug is intended for symptomatic therapy, reducing pain and inflammation at the time of use. from 24

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How and why to measure basal temperature?

Basal temperature is measured at the moment of awakening. It helps determine the day of ovulation to plan conception and try to determine the sex of the unborn child. Basal thermometry is carried out in the first minutes after sleep, before physical activity. The oral cavity, rectum, and vagina are suitable for measurements. The gynecologists of JSC “Medicine” (clinic of academician Roitberg) in the Central Administrative District will tell you more about the methods for determining the day of ovulation. After consultation, you will be able to plan your pregnancy down to the day, and also try to influence the gender of your unborn baby.

Nurofen Long

"Nurofen Long" for fever is sold in tablets, capsules, syrup. You can also buy a combination drug "Nurofen" with paracetamol. Nurofen does not require a prescription, and its active substance is ibuprofen (NSAID). Nurofen Long perfectly reduces the temperature literally 20 minutes after taking the tablet, and the effect lasts for 8 hours. The drug also reduces muscle pain, relieves headaches and inflammation, relieves nasal congestion, and relieves pain. Nurofen Long is recommended for bacterial infections and exacerbation of chronic diseases. The drug helps with elevated temperature due to ARVI. Contraindications include intolerance to ibuprofen and fructose, gastrointestinal diseases (including gastritis and ulcers), liver and kidney diseases. You should not drink alcohol while taking Nurofen. Nurofen is prescribed during pregnancy only if there is an urgent need.

Nurofen Long

Reckitt Benckiser, Netherlands

Backache;
joint pain; muscle and rheumatic pain; neuralgia; headache; migraine; toothache; painful menstruation; a sore throat; feverish condition; cold and flu symptoms. The drug is especially indicated for the symptomatic treatment of pain requiring a more pronounced analgesic effect than ibuprofen or paracetamol alone. from 137

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Ways of development of temperature reaction

The temperature reaction develops in two ways:

1. A sudden reaction to an emerging infection despite yesterday’s well-being.
2. When the temperature begins to rise after surgery.

In the first way, a temperature of 39 often occurs suddenly at night, although in the evening there were no prerequisites for this. The person begins to get sick, feel a fever that gradually increases, but he does not feel any other symptoms other than malaise.

In the second case, you need to consult a doctor without delay; a temperature of 39 may be a signal about the proliferation of pathogenic organisms. All surgical interventions involve the use of antibiotics and other medications, the main goal of which is to prevent inflammation. Fever indicates otherwise.

You might be interested in the article - How to treat a runny nose, cough and fever of 39 in a child?

Theraflu ExtraTab

These fever tablets contain paracetamol, which reduces fever well. In addition, Theraflu ExtraTab contains phenylephrine (a vasoconstrictor) and chlorphenamine (an antihistamine). Therefore, the drug has a complex effect - it relieves swelling during a runny nose and reduces fever. Contraindications to taking Theraflu ExtraTab include stomach ulcers.

Theraflu extratab

Novartis Pharma Services AG (Novartis Pharma), Switzerland

Symptomatic treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases (ARVI, including influenza), accompanied by high fever, chills, headache, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, muscle pain.
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What should not be done at a temperature of 39?

If your temperature suddenly rises to 39, there is no need to use means that can further increase it:

• do not drink hot tea, milk;
• do not apply warm compresses or mustard plasters;
• do not take a hot shower, bath, or warm up in a sauna;
• do not wear warm clothes, socks, or use a warm or electric blanket.

What to do if an adult has a temperature of 39? Do not rush to reduce it with medications without finding out the cause of the fever. On the first day of high fever, taking them is inappropriate, providing a sense of false security, distorting the true picture, carrying the risk of adverse allergic reactions, and irritating the stomach.

The exceptions are people with pathologies of the cardiovascular system and pregnant women. Rapid heartbeat over several days caused by a fever can have adverse effects on the heart muscle and fetal development.

Ibuklin

This is a complex antipyretic drug - here paracetamol and ibuprofen (antipyretic and NSAID). You can buy Ibuklin without a prescription; the product reduces fever well, relieves cold symptoms, reduces inflammation and body aches, and improves overall well-being. “Ibuklin” begins to act 20 minutes after administration, and the effect lasts 6-8 hours. Contraindications: liver and kidney diseases, gastrointestinal problems (ulcers, gastritis). Ibuklin should not be taken with alcohol.

Ibuklin

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, India

- symptomatic treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases (colds, flu), accompanied by fever, chills, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat;
- myalgia; - neuralgia; - back pain; — joint pain, pain syndrome in inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system; - pain from bruises, sprains, dislocations, fractures; — post-traumatic and postoperative pain syndrome; - toothache; - algodismenorrhea. The drug is intended for symptomatic therapy, reducing pain and inflammation at the time of use, and does not affect the progression of the disease. from 78

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Reasons for rising temperature

An increase in temperature is an adaptive reaction in response to exposure to pathological factors: bacteria, viruses, parasites, tumors, injuries, poisoning, electric current or endotoxins. An elevated temperature is considered to be an indicator that exceeds 37 0C when measured in the armpit. There are two types of fever - fever and hyperthermia (overheating).

Fever

Fever is a complex process that is activated when the body is exposed to pathogenic factors. Fever involves immune cells and certain hormones.

Fever is characteristic of many infectious diseases and pathological conditions:

• infections: malaria, brucellosis, typhus, tuberculosis, influenza, parainfluenza, measles, rubella, scarlet fever, viral hepatitis, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, cholera, dysentery, salmonellosis, escherichiosis, enterovirus, plague, streptococcus, staphylococcus, cytomegalovirus, parasitic diseases;
• respiratory system: pneumonia, bronchitis, otitis media, sinusitis, laryngitis;
• gastrointestinal tract: appendicitis, gastroenteritis, acute cholecystitis, acute pancreatitis;
• rheumatoid arthritis, reactive and psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus;
• urinary system: pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis;
• central nervous system: meningitis, encephalitis, meningoencephalitis;
• purulent diseases;
• sepsis;
• malignant tumors;
• recent vaccination.

It is difficult to list all the diseases that cause fever. Almost all of them, which are accompanied by inflammation and cell damage, are manifested by fever. Examples of pathological conditions that can manifest as fever:

• heavy metal intoxication or food poisoning;
• withdrawal syndrome;
• fracture of a limb, dislocation, deep wound, bruise of internal organs;
• electrical injury;
• neuroleptic malignant syndrome;
• teething.

Body temperature can rise even with mental disorders. For example, in febrile schizophrenia, the body temperature exceeds 40 0C.

It is not always possible to determine the cause of fever. For example, there is a pathological condition called fever of unknown origin. It is manifested by one symptom - an increase in body temperature above 380C for more than 3 weeks.

Fever is experienced differently by people. Some people have individual intolerance to high body temperature and experience convulsions. But fever always has common symptoms:

• heart rate increases;
• blood pressure increases;
• sweating increases;
• metabolism accelerates.

Fever is especially difficult for people with cardiovascular, endocrine and neurological diseases. The same applies to older people.

Hyperthermia

Hyperthermia (overheating) is a pathological condition in which the functioning of the thermoregulation center is disrupted and body temperature rises uncontrollably. The endocrine and immune systems do not participate in this process. In this case, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic drugs have no effect. In other words, hyperthermia is a malfunction in the thermoregulation center, and fever is a natural response to a pathogenic factor.

Hyperthermia occurs when compensatory heat exchange mechanisms are strained to the maximum. If you do not create conditions for heat transfer, for example, do not leave the bathhouse or continue to be under the scorching sun, heat stroke occurs.

Causes of hyperthermia:

• thyrotoxicosis – excessive accumulation of thyroid hormones in the blood;
• pheochromocytoma - tumor of the adrenal glands;
• use of muscle relaxants and anesthesia;
• medications: some antidepressants, antipsychotics, drugs against Parkinson's disease, m-anticholinergics.
• long stay in the sun, in a sauna or bath;
• work in a heating microclimate: in a hot workshop or thick clothing.

An increase in body temperature should not always be considered a pathological condition. For example, your temperature may rise during prolonged exercise or while soaking in a hot bath. Body temperature can rise to 37 0C in women during ovulation. This is due to changes in hormonal levels. When menstruation begins, body temperature returns to normal.

Hyperthermia is more difficult for people to deal with than fever. The pathological condition is accompanied by loss of blood electrolytes, convulsions, circulatory disorders, decreased oxygen delivery to the brain, loss of consciousness or psychomotor agitation. In particularly severe cases, hyperthermia leads to death.

How to distinguish hyperthermia from fever

To choose the most effective treatment, you need to know the difference between fever and non-infectious hyperthermia. Main signs of fever:

• body temperature rises when the first symptoms of the disease appear: cough, runny nose, chills;
• increased heart rate and breathing;
• antipyretic drugs are effective;
• symptoms of intoxication are observed: headache, fatigue, increased sensitivity, nausea, loss of appetite.

The main signs of hyperthermia (heat, sunstroke):

• there is a feeling of stuffiness;
• dizziness;
• general weakness;
• strong thirst;
• feeling of squeezing in the heart area;
• aching back pain;
• headache;
• heavy sweating;
• irregular pulse.

Knowing the difference between pathologies means choosing the right treatment tactics and providing first aid as effectively as possible.

Maxicold

The drug "Maxicold" contains paracetamol. This antipyretic drug perfectly relieves all symptoms of ARVI. In addition to Maxicold, you can buy Maxicold Rhino at the pharmacy, which will effectively relieve a runny nose and swelling of the nasal mucosa thanks to phenylephrine and pheniramine (vasoconstrictor and antiallergic effects). Maxicold contains vitamin C, a natural antioxidant that strengthens the immune system and helps the body fight colds.

Maxicold

JSC Pharmstandard-UfaVITA, Russia

- symptomatic treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases (including influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI)), accompanied by fever, chills, nasal congestion, headache, pain in the bones and muscles, in the throat and sinuses.
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Maxicold Rhino

OJSC Pharmstandard-Leksredstva, Russia

- symptomatic treatment of colds, acute respiratory viral infections, flu, accompanied by high fever, chills, headache, runny nose, pain in the sinuses and throat, nasal congestion, sneezing and pain in muscles and joints.
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Mom was right. Operating techniques from our childhood

If the temperature lasts no more than 3 days and does not exceed 38 degrees, you should not take an antipyretic. It's better to let your body cope on its own. To make the healing process less unpleasant, follow these tips:

• Ventilate the room and make sure the room is not too stuffy.

• Wear clothes made from natural fabrics and do not wrap yourself up. It is necessary to simplify the output of heat costs. Don’t listen to advice about “sweating” - during fever they are harmful.

• Take a warm bath (not hot!). To reduce a fever, keep the water temperature just below body temperature.

• Dry yourself with a cool, damp towel and place a cooling bandage on your forehead. Change it every 15-20 minutes.

• Drink more liquid - but not hot and no more than 3 liters per day. This does not mean that you need to give up tea, just let the drink cool before drinking so as not to burn the mucous membranes, which already have a hard time during a cold.

And let yourself sleep in silence. Sleep is a wonderful doctor who will be incredibly effective when fighting a cold. Don't be a hero and don't suffer the disease on your feet. It is much wiser to rest for a couple of days than to treat complications or a lingering cold for a long time.

Rinza

Rinza tablets are a complex drug. The product contains caffeine, which enhances the antipyretic effect and improves metabolic processes. Paracetamol helps reduce fever and relieve muscle pain. Phenylephrine relieves swelling of the nasal mucosa, chlorphenamine is an antihistamine against inflammation. "Rinza" relieves cold symptoms for 12 hours. This drug is contraindicated for pregnant women, hypertensive patients, patients with atherosclerosis, those treated with antidepressants, people with kidney and liver diseases; alcohol should not be taken while being treated with Rinza.

Rinza

Unique Pharmaceutical Laboratories, India

- symptomatic treatment of “colds”, acute respiratory viral infections (including influenza), accompanied by fever, pain, and rhinorrhea.
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Is it necessary to bring down the temperature of 37 °C in an adult?

Fever itself is a protective reaction of the body8, so antipyretic drugs should be taken only as indicated - for adults at a temperature above 38.5 °C and/or muscle and joint pain due to ARVI12.

For ARVI it is recommended12:

• ● bed rest;
• ● drinking plenty of water;
• ● a diet rich in vitamins;
• ● symptomatic treatment (to relieve nasal congestion, cough and other symptoms of a cold);
• ● taking antiviral drugs.

Anaferon®11 lozenges can be used as part of complex therapy for ARVI. The active ingredient of the drug is antibodies to interferon gamma. Their antiviral and immunomodulatory effects are associated with the activation of natural immune factors that help the body fight viruses11,13. Anaferon ® is indicated for the treatment of influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections11. Its use as part of complex therapy helps reduce the duration of the main symptoms of the disease by 1.5 times or more13. Also, Anaferon ® can be used during the ARVI epidemic season as a prophylactic agent for 3 months11.

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Aspirin

Aspirin can be bought both in regular tablets and in effervescent form. This is an NSAID whose active substance is acetylsalicylic acid. Aspirin has a strong antipyretic effect, it is an excellent pain reliever, while the anti-inflammatory effect of the drug is very weak. After taking Aspirin, relief occurs within 15 minutes (faster if these are effervescent tablets). But you need to remember that Aspirin is not the safest drug for fever. Allergies often occur to it; asthmatics, allergy sufferers and those who have problems with the gastrointestinal tract and liver should not drink it. It is prohibited for children under 15 years of age and pregnant women to take Aspirin with alcohol.

Aspirin

High temperature in a child

The child will not say that he has a high temperature. Even relatively older children, including students in elementary school, as a rule, cannot correctly assess their well-being. Therefore, parents need to closely monitor the child’s condition. You can suspect an increase in temperature based on the following signs:

• the child becomes unexpectedly lethargic or, conversely, restless and capricious;
• he is tormented by thirst (he asks for a drink all the time);
• mucous membranes become dry (dry lips, tongue);
• bright blush or, conversely, unusual pallor;
• eyes become red or shiny;
• the child is sweating;
• pulse and breathing increase. The normal heart rate is 100-130 beats per minute while sleeping and 140-160 while awake. By two years, the frequency decreases to 100-140 beats per minute. The normal breathing rate also depends on age; for a two-month-old child it is 35-48 breaths per minute, for an age from one to three 28-35 breaths.

You can measure body temperature in the armpit or groin cavity with a mercury thermometer (it most accurately shows the temperature), rectally - only with an electronic one. It is possible to measure the temperature rectally only in a small child (up to 4-5 months); older children resist the procedure, as it is unpleasant. To measure the temperature rectally, the tip of the thermometer is lubricated with baby cream, the child’s legs rise, as if washing. The tip of the thermometer is inserted into the rectum to a depth of 2 cm.

We should not forget that in children under one year of age, a normal temperature is considered to be a temperature of up to 37.5°C, and even up to 3 years of age, such a temperature does not always mean that the child is sick. You cannot measure the temperature when the child is very worried, crying, or is tightly wrapped up - the temperature in these cases will be expected to be higher. A hot bath or too high a room temperature can also increase your body temperature.

In young children, the temperature can rise up to 38.3°C for reasons unrelated to illness, such as:

• overheating (due to excessive wrapping, exposure to direct sunlight or poor drinking habits), especially before the age of 3 months;
• scream;
• constipation (if the child pushes, the temperature may rise);
• teething (one of the most common causes).

If it does not seem that the temperature is caused by one of these reasons, it persists and does not subside, or, moreover, increases, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor. If the temperature is above 38°C, you should consult a doctor in any case.

Temperature 37 °C in children

Many of the causes of hyperthermia in a child are the same as in an adult. For example, children can overheat in the sun in hot weather; their nervous system, which controls the processes of heat production and heat transfer, may also be disrupted3.

In most cases, the child develops a so-called post-infectious low-grade fever, which is associated with a recent acute respiratory viral infection.

In 86% of children, low-grade fever may persist for 3-6 months after viral infection3.

Often a child has a body temperature of 37 °C for no apparent reason. This is the so-called institutional fever or “thermoneurosis”3. With “thermoneurosis,” the child usually tolerates the fever well. Parents may notice that antipyretic drugs do not give the desired effect, and the rise in body temperature is associated with psycho-emotional stress, for example, the stress that the child experiences at school3.

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