What does a body temperature of 39 degrees without any symptoms mean?

general characteristics

Temperature readings vary in absolutely healthy people throughout the day; in the morning the values ​​are a couple of tenths of a degree lower than in the evening.
An increase in values ​​of more than 37° C when measured in the armpit indicates a pathology of thermoregulation. Body temperature often increases gradually. First, prodromal symptoms appear - headache, body aches, general malaise, and later - a subjective feeling of cold, muscle tremors. As the readings increase above 38° C, the chill is replaced by a strong feeling of heat, the skin is hot to the touch, and there is a bright red blush on the cheeks. The general condition of the patients worsens, they refuse to eat. Lips become dry and cracked, and severe dry mouth is a concern. The period of persistently elevated temperature lasts from several days to a month or more, depending on the cause of the fever. Normalization of thermoregulation processes can be abrupt - with severe weakness, profuse sweats and hypotension - or gradual, when the general condition remains satisfactory. The child’s temperature rises faster, up to 39-40° C in a few hours.

Fever is always combined with other symptoms that correspond to the underlying pathology. Most often observed are abdominal pain and dyspeptic disorders, signs of ARVI. If a temperature of 37° C or higher in an adult persists for more than 2 days, you should consult a doctor. If a child has a fever, medical attention is required already on the first day of elevated temperature, since in childhood the mechanisms of thermoregulation are not developed, the fever is more severe.

Diagnosis of high temperature without symptoms at Altimed MC

Diagnosis of fever without symptoms in an adult is carried out using modern devices. There are many reasons for the development of the current trait. In order to identify a weak point, it is important to conduct a full functional diagnosis. It is absolutely safe for patients of any age, and is freely used to examine the child’s body.

The main advantages of functional diagnostics:

• quick results;
• absence of pain and discomfort;
• absolute safety;
• high accuracy;
• determination of a pathological condition at an early stage of development;
• checking the functional state of all organs and systems.

This method has virtually no contraindications. It is not recommended to use the modern diagnostic method for pregnant women, people suffering from cancer, or mental disorders.

Classification

According to the etiological factor, fever can be infectious - caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi, or non-infectious - with damage to internal organs, tumors, allergic reactions. Based on duration, high body temperature is classified into ephemeral (up to 3 days), acute (from 3 days to 2 weeks), subacute (2-6 weeks) and chronic (lasting over 1.5 months). In clinical practice, the classification of fever is more often used, taking into account the level of pathologically elevated temperature, according to which there is:

• Low-grade body temperature
  . Temperature values ​​are in the range of 37-38 degrees, accompanied by weakness, fatigue, and decreased ability to work. Often occurs in chronic, sluggish inflammatory processes in the body - some infections with a latent period, endocrine diseases.
• Febrile body temperature
  . Numerical indicators from 38° to 39° C. Its appearance indicates an active inflammatory process that triggers internal causes of fever: mechanisms of the immune system, massive production of endogenous pyrogens. It is observed in many infectious and somatic pathologies.
• High (pyretic) body temperature
  . Severe disturbance of thermoregulation with fever of 39-41° C. There is a sharp deterioration in condition, severe dehydration, attacks of nausea and vomiting. It is a pediatric emergency because children sometimes develop seizures.
• Hyperpyretic body temperature
  . An extremely serious condition when the temperature exceeds 41 degrees. Indicates a complete breakdown of the mechanisms of central thermoregulation. In addition to the usual symptoms of fever, disturbances of consciousness with delusions and hallucinations occur. The condition requires emergency assistance.

Doctors assess fever by how it fluctuates throughout the day—called a temperature curve. A constant temperature is characterized by fluctuations within 1 degree; with a weakening fever, the indicators change by 1-2 ° C, but do not reach normal temperature. With the hectic form, which is caused by purulent and septic processes, temperature fluctuations are 3-5 ° C during the day. More rare types of temperature curve include intermittent, recurrent and wavy.

Does the temperature indicator depend on the environment?

There are many places in the world where the body can be very hot or, conversely, very cold. Do not forget about zones of sharply continental climate. Acclimatization is often the biggest challenge for athletes. In high mountains, temperature values ​​can change dramatically, creating a heavy burden on the human body.

Our body is warm-blooded and can maintain its temperature regardless of environmental conditions. However, the Willie Jones case showed that heatstroke can cause great harm. The human body itself cannot withstand strong temperature loads, so changes of literally 2° already have a negative effect on the body. Confusion, dizziness, malaise and other symptoms appear.

Often, when this value increases, people remember diseases. Indeed, activation of the immune system leads to a flux of chemical reactions, which causes high fever. This is how our body creates “uncomfortable” conditions for the pathogen in order to destroy it.

Causes of elevated body temperature

Causes of low-grade body temperature

An increase in temperature of more than 37 degrees on the skin or more than 37.8 ° C when determining indicators in the rectum is observed with insignificant production of cytokines and pyrogens that affect the thermoregulation center in the hypothalamus. The condition is accompanied by general malaise, but performance is often preserved. Low-grade body temperature is caused by reasons such as:

• Emotional reactions
  : prolonged stress, neuroses and neurosis-like states, hysteria.
• Hormonal changes in women
  : first trimester of pregnancy, menopause.
• Respiratory diseases
  : colds, ARVI, simple bronchitis and interstitial pneumonia.
• Focal inflammation
  : chronic tonsillitis, sinusitis.
• Chronic bacterial infections
  : tuberculosis, brucellosis, Lyme disease.
• Viral processes
  : acute hepatitis, herpes simplex and herpes zoster, cytomegalovirus.
• Childhood infections
  : measles, rubella.
• The temperature “tail” of infectious diseases
  .
• Helminthiasis
  : giardiasis, amoebiasis, opisthorchiasis.
• Intestinal pathologies
  : ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, Whipple's disease.
• Autoimmune processes
  : systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma and dermatomyositis, rheumatoid arthritis.
• Endocrine pathology
  : initial stage of thyrotoxicosis, Addison's disease.
• Tumors
  : lymphogranulomatosis, acute and chronic leukemia.
• HIV infection
  .
• Iatrogenic factors
  : postoperative period, reaction to blood transfusion or vaccination.
• Complications of pharmacotherapy
  : taking antibiotics, psychotropic drugs, atropine.
• Rare causes
  : chronic sepsis, allergic reactions.

Causes of febrile body temperature

If the body temperature is constantly elevated to 38 degrees or more, this indicates an acute course of the disease. Patients report severe headaches and muscle pain, weakness, and drowsiness. At the same time, appetite is reduced, and the feeling of thirst increases due to massive losses of water through sweat and breathing. Common causes of febrile fever:

• Acute respiratory pathologies
  : influenza, adenovirus and rhinovirus infections, ARVI.
• Infectious diseases
  : typhoid and typhus, malaria, meningococcal meningitis.
• Intestinal infections
  : salmonellosis, dysentery, escherichiosis, etc.
• ENT diseases
  : sinusitis (sinusitis, sinusitis), tonsillitis, otitis media.
• Damage to the lower respiratory tract
  : purulent bronchitis and bronchiolitis, exudative pleurisy, focal and lobar pneumonia.
• Purulent foci
  : external (boils, carbuncles, suppuration of wounds) and internal (abscesses of the liver, intestines, pleural empyema).
• “Acute abdomen” syndrome:
  appendicitis, cholecystitis, mesadenitis.
• Heart diseases:
  bacterial endocarditis, acute rheumatic fever, Liebman-Sachs endocarditis.
• Damage to bones and joints
  : hematogenous and traumatic osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, sarcomas.
• Pathology of the genitourinary system
  : acute pyelonephritis, apostematous nephritis, renal colic.
• Overheating of the body
  : heat and sunstroke, anhidrosis, wearing clothes that are not appropriate for the weather.
• Fever of unknown origin
  .
• Rare causes
  : prion infections (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, kuru, fatal familial insomnia), vascular collagenosis.

Can the temperature fluctuate?

As we have already noted, temperature fluctuation is a natural process and depends on age. Fluctuations occur especially often when a person reaches adolescence up to 18 years of age. Various factors can influence fluctuations; physical activity always has a big influence.

It is important to know that high temperature readings may not be associated with diet, heavy physical activity or inflammation. There are many cases recorded around the world where a person who spends a long time in a stuffy room or in the heat is unable to lead normal life activities. This is due to the fact that his body has received a large temperature load and cannot restore normal heat transfer. This is how heatstroke begins. The consequences of this condition have the most detrimental effect on the brain.

Diagnostics

A general practitioner examines patients with elevated temperatures. The scope of diagnostic measures depends on the clinical picture and the presence of additional symptoms; if there are clear signs of damage to a certain system, its targeted diagnosis is carried out. In case of prolonged fever of unknown cause, the examination is performed according to a standard algorithm, which includes advanced laboratory methods and instrumental imaging. The most informative studies:

• Blood analysis
  . In the general analysis, attention is paid to signs of the inflammatory process (leukocytosis, increased ESR). The levels of acute phase proteins and antinuclear antibodies are measured to exclude autoimmune processes. During the period of acute inflammation, the procalcitonin test is informative. To assess cardiac function, an antistreptolysin and troponin test is performed.
• Hemoculture
  . Blood sampling is carried out during the period of the highest temperature, at least 3 times. The material is inoculated on selective nutrient media; if a large number of bacterial colonies are present, septicemia is diagnosed. Additionally, blood is examined using ELISA, RIF - express methods for detecting antibodies and antigens of pathogens.
• Bacteriological studies
  . In addition to blood, stool and urine samples and sputum are used to isolate pathogens. If neurological symptoms are detected at elevated temperatures, cerebrospinal fluid is taken. After identifying colonies of pathogenic microorganisms, a sensitivity test to antibacterial drugs is performed.
• Radiography
  . If elevated temperature persists for a long time, chest radiographs are taken in two projections, in which areas of darkening, cavities with a horizontal fluid level, and deformation of the bronchial tree can be detected. Plain radiography of the abdominal cavity helps to exclude abscesses, large inflammatory conglomerates and perforations of a hollow organ.
• Ultrasonography
  . To clarify the cause of febrile fever, echocardiography is performed, during which signs of infective endocarditis, valve vegetation, and pathology of large arteries are determined. To exclude endocrine disorders, an ultrasound scan of the thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, and adrenal glands is performed.
• Highly specific imaging techniques
  . If the cause of the elevated temperature cannot be determined by standard methods, scintigraphy of the whole body with gallium is indicated, which makes it possible to identify chronic abscesses and space-occupying neoplasms. Osteomyelitis is confirmed by bone scintigraphy with technetium. If meningitis is suspected, a CT or MRI of the brain is recommended.

If your body temperature is high, drinking plenty of fluids is recommended.

Why choose Altimed MC for the treatment of high fever without symptoms

Treatment, if the temperature does not show signs of a cold, is carried out at the Altimed Medical Center. Why is it important to contact us? The main advantages are:

• non-invasive effect on the body (without pain and discomfort);
• Individual approach to each client;
• innovative technical equipment;
• effective treatment plan;
• affordable price range.

From us you can purchase devices for treatment at home. For additional information, please contact the indicated phone numbers.

Treatment

Help before diagnosis

With elevated low-grade fever that lasts less than 2 days, specific treatment is not required. A long duration of symptoms indicates the presence of a pathological process, which is an indication for seeking medical help. Until the cause of the fever is determined, the patient should be given plenty of warm fluids. Physical cooling methods are used - rubbing, cold compresses. It is recommended for adults to drink antipyretics to bring down the temperature when the thermometer readings are more than 38.5 ° C; children are given antipyretics when the temperature is above 38 degrees.

Conservative therapy

Medical tactics depend on the cause of symptoms and the general condition of the patient. In case of high fever, temperature measurements in the hospital are carried out every 2-3 hours to assess the dynamics. In children, impaired thermoregulation is sometimes accompanied by convulsions, so when an elevated febrile temperature is detected, they are immediately given antipyretic medications. A prerequisite is adequate etiotropic and pathogenetic therapy, against the background of which thermometry indicators are normalized. For therapeutic purposes use:

• Antibiotics
  . Medicines are selected empirically, the treatment regimen is adjusted after receiving the culture results. For massive purulent processes, combinations of 2 or 3 drugs are recommended, which are administered parenterally in high therapeutic doses.
• Antiviral agents
  . For influenza, specific medications are indicated to block the multiplication of the virus and speed up recovery. For the treatment of viral hepatitis, medications have been developed that reduce the viral load and alleviate the general condition.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
  . Nonsteroidal drugs block the synthesis of prostaglandins and cytokines acting on the thermoregulatory center and reduce the activity of the inflammatory process. NSAIDs are used that have powerful antipyretic properties.
• Glucocorticoids
  . Prescribed for severe systemic autoimmune or allergic reactions that do not respond to other therapy. They are used with caution for infections, since adrenal hormones suppress the activity of the immune system.
• Infusion solutions
  . If the temperature is above 38° C and the patient’s condition is serious, rehydration and detoxification therapy are required. Saline solutions containing essential electrolytes are poured in. Treatment is supplemented with diuretics.
• Vitamins
  . In case of sluggish processes, ascorbic acid and B vitamins are used to stimulate the immune system. Metabolic drugs that improve metabolic processes in cells and have a tonic effect are effective. The products are combined with antioxidants.

Surgery

If large abscesses or foci of osteomyelitis are detected, they must be drained and the resulting cavities must be washed with antiseptic solutions. For diseases manifested by an “acute abdomen,” abdominal surgery with wide access is indicated to remove altered areas of the intestine, followed by sanitation of the abdominal cavity. For malignant tumors, radical surgical interventions are performed (removal of the tumor along with the surrounding tissue and regional lymph nodes), combined with radiation and chemotherapy.

What types of temperature indicators are divided into?

It must be noted that not every temperature is high. In medicine, there are clear boundaries indicating a condition. The lowest limit starts from 37°C to 38°C. It is usually called low-grade fever. Febrile starts from 38°C to 39°C. A temperature exceeding 39°C is considered high. The most dangerous value starts from 40°C.

It is the boundaries that doctors operate when making a diagnosis. Note that these indicators are not the most important in determining the state. Other symptoms play a big role. A high temperature does not at all indicate a dangerous disease - there are many examples in the world when people found themselves in a state of fever, but there was no serious threat to their lives.

A constant temperature reading above 37°C and below 37.5°C may indicate the occurrence of processes associated with serious diseases.

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.

What devices measure temperature indicators?

There is a wide variety of instruments in the world for measuring human body temperature. Thermometers still remain one of the most popular products, so global manufacturers offer a variety of models. The most famous type of thermometers in Russia are mercury thermometers. This thermometer is characterized by high accuracy, availability and is still in great demand. However, there are not as many such thermometers in the world as before, because they are quite fragile and pose a danger. The mercury they contain is poisonous. Its high degree of deodorization is dangerous and can cause harm to humans and animals.

Electronic thermometers have become more popular in the world. Their most interesting feature was the ability to measure indicators in just 30 seconds. As soon as the measurements are completed, the device will notify you with a sound signal. Alas, such devices do not provide accurate values. Therefore, manufacturers of such thermometers indicate the error in the instructions. Nevertheless, they are the ones who have gained the greatest popularity all over the world.

The most modern type of thermometers in the world are infrared. With their help, you can measure the indicator contactlessly, getting results in just 5 seconds. The error of this type of thermometer is very low and is no more than 0.5°C. A characteristic feature of the infrared thermometer is its limited use. It can only read data from a certain area, for example, the temple, forehead or ear. Moreover, the coverage is purely single, so if the device is designed to measure across the forehead, then it will be impossible to measure in another zone.

Nowadays thermal strips are becoming widespread around the world. They are widely used due to their ease of use. This strip can be applied to the forehead and in a minute it will show the result. The definition occurs along the boundaries, which helps to find out the most necessary information. Because of this, thermal strips cannot replace a full-fledged thermometer.

Guide for parents: what to do if your child has a fever

Elevated body temperature in a child is most often associated with infection. When you have a fever, it is important to monitor your baby's well-being, give him water more often to avoid dehydration, and monitor his temperature to avoid excessive fever.

Proper care helps cope with high temperatures. Photo: AndrewLozovyi / Depositphotos

• To reduce your temperature you can:
• give your child ibuprofen or paracetamol;
• do not wrap him up if there is no severe chill;
• Ventilate the room more often so that there is fresh, cool air in it.

Paracetamol or ibuprofen is given in an age-appropriate dosage. They are not combined or given to the child at the same time. If the temperature has subsided and does not rise, there is no need to give the child medicine until the fever returns.

Important! Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) or drugs containing it should not be used for children.

If your child has a fever, you can wipe them with a damp cloth soaked in cool water. For wiping, do not use vinegar or alcohol solutions - this can be dangerous.

To prevent dehydration, you need to give your child water more often. You can give him water, sweet drinks, juices. Tea or other caffeinated drinks should not be given. You can understand that a child’s body is dehydrated by the following signs:

• the child rarely urinates (the diaper is dry);
• deep yellow urine;
• crying without tears;
• eyes look sunken;
• dry tongue and mucous membranes;
• drowsiness or extreme agitation;
• before the age of one year, the fontanel may become sunken.

Crying without tears is one of the signs of dehydration.
Photo by Ksenia Chernaya: Pexels If a child drinks enough water, the urine will be light-colored.

At elevated temperatures, children older than 6 months and younger than 5 years may experience febrile seizures. They pass quickly and have a good prognosis. Seizures can occur even with a mild fever. Therefore, even if the child has already had febrile convulsions, it is impossible to use antipyretic drugs more often or increase their dosage. This will not help prevent a recurrence of the attack.

When to call a doctor for your child

You should call an ambulance for a child with a fever if:

• He is not yet two months old.
• There are signs of severe dehydration and the child refuses to drink.
• Convulsions appear against the background of fever.
• The skin appears bruised or purple in color (does not go away or become less noticeable when you press on it).
• Severe drowsiness and apathy appear, the child does not react to anything.
• There are breathing problems, it becomes rapid, slow, difficult or intermittent.
• I have a severe headache.
• Diarrhea or vomiting appears.
• If the pediatrician has already examined the child, and after that the child’s health worsens again or new symptoms appear, contact the doctor again as soon as possible.

What are the different forms of fever?

The familiar pink (red) fever is not always a dangerous signal. She announces herself by redness of the skin, a characteristic blush on the cheeks. With red fever, the body is able to function quite normally and provide proper heat transfer.

The most serious danger is caused by white fever, which is recorded relatively rarely. It may be caused by vasospasm. With white fever, processes associated with thermoregulation fail. The skin becomes white, the hands become cold, and the thermometer shows a high temperature level. White fever is very dangerous because the heat can damage internal organs.