What is considered a normal body temperature range. How does body temperature fluctuate throughout the day. When is a fever considered dangerously high. What factors can affect body temperature measurements.

The Myth of 98.6°F: Redefining Normal Body Temperature

For years, 98.6°F (37°C) has been touted as the “normal” human body temperature. However, recent research suggests this widely accepted figure may be outdated. Dr. Lurlyn Pero, an internal medicine specialist at Banner Health Center in Phoenix, AZ, explains that normal adult body temperature actually ranges from 97°F to 99°F (36.1°C to 37.2°C).

This revelation raises an important question: Why has our understanding of normal body temperature shifted? Several factors contribute to this change:

• Improved measurement accuracy with modern thermometers
• Changes in human physiology over time due to factors like improved nutrition and healthcare
• Greater recognition of individual variability in body temperature

Factors Influencing Body Temperature Fluctuations

Our body temperature isn’t static; it naturally fluctuates throughout the day and can be influenced by various factors. Understanding these variations can help us better interpret our temperature readings:

Time of Day

Body temperature follows a circadian rhythm, typically being lowest in the early morning hours and peaking in the late afternoon or early evening. This natural fluctuation can account for temperature differences of up to 1°F (0.6°C).

Physical Activity

Exercise and physical exertion cause a temporary increase in body temperature as the body generates heat through muscle contractions and increased metabolism.

Hormonal Changes

Women of childbearing age may notice temperature fluctuations related to their menstrual cycle. Body temperature tends to be lower in the first half of the cycle and rises slightly after ovulation.

Diet

Consuming spicy foods can trigger a temporary increase in body temperature as the body attempts to cool itself through sweating.

Age and Gender

Generally, younger individuals tend to have slightly higher body temperatures than older adults. Women also typically have slightly higher temperatures than men, partly due to hormonal influences.

Body Composition

People with higher body mass may have slightly elevated baseline temperatures compared to those with lower body mass.

Defining Fever: When Does Body Temperature Become Concerning?

While normal body temperature can vary, it’s crucial to recognize when elevated temperature crosses into fever territory. Dr. Pero provides clear guidelines for categorizing fevers:

• Low-grade fever: Body temperature above 100.4°F (38°C)
• High-grade fever: Body temperature above 103°F (39.4°C)

It’s important to note that fever itself is not an illness, but rather a symptom of an underlying condition. Most low-grade fevers associated with minor illnesses resolve within a few days. However, certain situations warrant medical attention:

• Fever accompanied by a rash
• Severe pain coinciding with elevated temperature
• Respiratory symptoms in conjunction with fever
• Persistent fever lasting more than three days
• Very high fever (above 104°F or 40°C) in adults

Beyond Infection: Other Causes of Elevated Body Temperature

While fevers are commonly associated with infections, Dr. Pero emphasizes that other factors can cause elevated body temperature:

Heat-Related Illnesses

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures or strenuous activity in hot environments can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, both of which involve elevated body temperature.

Severe Sunburn

Extensive sunburn can trigger an inflammatory response in the body, potentially causing a temporary increase in core temperature.

Inflammatory Conditions

Certain autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can cause periodic elevations in body temperature.

Metabolic Disorders

Conditions that affect metabolism, like hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), can lead to an increase in body temperature as a result of accelerated cellular processes.

Hypothermia: Understanding Dangerously Low Body Temperature

While much attention is given to high body temperatures, abnormally low body temperature can be equally concerning. Dr. Pero defines hypothermia as a body temperature below 95°F (35°C). Common causes of hypothermia include:

• Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures
• Immersion in cold water
• Certain medical conditions (e.g., hypothyroidism, severe infections)
• Spinal cord injuries affecting temperature regulation

Hypothermia is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention, as it can lead to organ failure and death if left untreated.

The Importance of Monitoring Vital Signs

Dr. Pero emphasizes that body temperature is just one of several vital signs that provide insight into our overall health. She recommends monitoring five key vital signs:

1. Body temperature
2. Blood pressure
3. Heart rate
4. Respiratory rate (breaths per minute)
5. Weight

Regular monitoring of these vital signs can help identify potential health issues early. Any unexplained changes should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

Accurate Temperature Measurement: Tips and Techniques

To ensure accurate body temperature readings, consider the following tips:

• Use a reliable, calibrated thermometer
• Choose an appropriate measurement site (oral, temporal, axillary, or rectal)
• Avoid taking temperature immediately after eating, drinking, or exercising
• For oral temperatures, wait at least 15 minutes after consuming hot or cold beverages
• Take multiple readings to confirm results, especially if the initial reading seems unusual

Different measurement methods may yield slightly different results, so it’s important to use the same method consistently when tracking temperature over time.

Body Temperature Across the Lifespan: Age-Related Considerations

Body temperature norms can vary depending on age, with important implications for recognizing fever in different populations:

Infants and Young Children

Infants and young children tend to have higher average body temperatures and more pronounced temperature fluctuations. Fever thresholds for this age group are typically lower:

• Rectal temperature above 100.4°F (38°C) in infants under 3 months
• Rectal temperature above 101°F (38.3°C) in children 3 months to 3 years

Adults

As previously discussed, normal adult body temperature ranges from 97°F to 99°F (36.1°C to 37.2°C), with fever typically defined as a temperature above 100.4°F (38°C).

Older Adults

Older adults may have lower baseline temperatures and a reduced fever response. This can make it challenging to recognize infections based on temperature alone. Healthcare providers may consider lower temperature thresholds when assessing fever in elderly patients.

Understanding these age-related differences is crucial for accurately interpreting body temperature measurements and recognizing potential health issues across different life stages.

The Future of Body Temperature Monitoring: Wearable Technology and AI

As technology continues to advance, new methods for monitoring body temperature are emerging. These innovations have the potential to revolutionize how we track and interpret this vital sign:

Wearable Devices

Smart watches and fitness trackers are increasingly incorporating temperature sensors, allowing for continuous, non-invasive monitoring of skin temperature. While not as accurate as core body temperature measurements, these devices can provide valuable insights into temperature trends over time.

Artificial Intelligence

AI algorithms are being developed to analyze temperature data in conjunction with other vital signs and symptoms. These systems have the potential to identify patterns and predict the onset of illnesses before obvious symptoms appear.

Remote Monitoring

Telemedicine platforms are integrating temperature data from connected devices, enabling healthcare providers to monitor patients’ temperatures remotely. This can be particularly beneficial for managing chronic conditions or post-operative care.

While these technologies show promise, it’s important to note that they should complement, rather than replace, traditional temperature measurement methods and clinical judgment.

Cultural and Environmental Influences on Body Temperature

Body temperature norms can vary across different populations and environments. Factors that may influence these variations include:

Climate Adaptation

People living in extremely hot or cold climates may develop physiological adaptations that affect their baseline body temperature and temperature regulation mechanisms.

Altitude

High-altitude environments can influence body temperature due to changes in atmospheric pressure and oxygen levels. Individuals living at high altitudes may have slightly different temperature norms compared to those at sea level.

Dietary Habits

Cultural dietary practices, such as regular consumption of spicy foods or hot beverages, may influence average body temperature or temperature fluctuations throughout the day.

Activity Patterns

Societies with different work schedules or sleep-wake cycles may experience variations in the timing of daily temperature fluctuations.

Understanding these cultural and environmental influences is important for healthcare providers working with diverse populations and for interpreting temperature data in global health contexts.

Body Temperature and Mental Health: An Emerging Field of Study

Recent research has begun to explore the relationship between body temperature and mental health. While this field is still in its early stages, some intriguing connections have been observed:

Depression

Some studies have found that individuals with depression may have slightly lower body temperatures on average. This could be related to changes in circadian rhythms or metabolic processes associated with the condition.

Anxiety

Anxiety and panic attacks can sometimes cause temporary increases in body temperature due to the activation of the sympathetic nervous system.

Bipolar Disorder

Research has suggested that body temperature patterns may differ between manic and depressive episodes in individuals with bipolar disorder. This could potentially serve as a biomarker for mood state changes.

Schizophrenia

Some studies have observed alterations in body temperature regulation in individuals with schizophrenia, possibly related to changes in the hypothalamus or other brain regions involved in temperature control.

While these findings are preliminary, they highlight the complex interplay between physical and mental health. Future research in this area may lead to new diagnostic tools or treatment approaches for mental health conditions.

As our understanding of body temperature continues to evolve, it’s clear that this simple vital sign holds a wealth of information about our overall health and well-being. By staying informed about normal temperature ranges, fever thresholds, and factors that influence body temperature, we can better interpret this important physiological indicator and make informed decisions about our health.

What Your Body Temperature Shows About Your Health

By
Stephanie Thurrott

, Contributing Writer

Jan 11, 2022

Teach Me

You might have heard that normal body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C). But that’s not entirely true.

“Normal adult body temperature ranges from 97°F to 99°F,” said Lurlyn Pero, MD, an internal medicine specialist at Banner Health Center in Phoenix, AZ. Your body temperature can fluctuate within that range and still be considered normal.

Here’s what could be behind normal differences in body temperature

Your body temperature might rise or fall for several reasons:

• It’s normal for your temperature to be lowest before you wake up, and highest about an hour before bedtime.
• When you exercise, or you’re physically active, your temperature will rise.
• Women of childbearing age will have a lower temperature in the first half of their cycle and a rise in temperature when they ovulate.
• Eating spicy foods can send a message to your brain that your body is overheated, which can make you sweat and lower your body temperature.
• Women tend to have higher body temperatures than men.
• Younger people tend to have higher body temperatures than older people.
• People with higher body weight tend to have higher temperatures than people with lower body weight.

Here’s when you should be concerned about high body temperature

A body temperature above 100.4°F is considered elevated, or a low-grade fever. A temperature above 103°F is considered a high-grade fever, Dr. Pero said. Most illnesses that cause low-grade fevers run their course in a couple of days. Talk to your health care provider if you have a rash, severe pain or respiratory symptoms along with your fever. Otherwise, you can rest and stay hydrated while you wait for it to subside.

“We often think of temperatures as fevers and think of them as a sign of an infection,” Dr. Pero said. But other factors can cause high body temperatures:

• Heat exhaustion
• Serious sunburn
• Medical conditions that cause inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis
• Medical conditions that increase the body’s metabolism, like an overactive thyroid

Here’s when you should be concerned about low body temperature

A body temperature below 95°F (35°C) is considered abnormally low. Exposure to extreme cold can cause low body temperature. It can also be caused by medical conditions such as an underactive thyroid or parathyroid or by spinal cord injuries.

Here’s when you should seek medical care

Extremely high or low body temperature should be treated as an emergency, Dr. Pero said. When your body temperature is too high or too low, it’s usually a sign of illness or exposure to extreme heat or cold temperatures.

If you aren’t feeling well, you’re in pain, or you’re noticing changes in your weight or appetite along with changes in your body temperature, you should talk to your health care provider. You may also want to connect with your health care provider if you notice changes in your body temperature you can’t explain.

Dr. Pero recommends that, along with your body temperature, you monitor four additional vital signs that measure your health—blood pressure, weight, heart rate and respiratory rate (breaths per minute). If you notice any unexplained changes in your vital signs, talk to your health care provider.

The bottom line

It’s normal for your body temperature to fluctuate a bit. But when your body temperature is too high or too low, you should seek medical care. Reach out to Banner Health if you would like to connect with a health care professional.

Other useful articles

• Fevers at Every Age
• Why Your Heart Rate Goes Up When You’re Sick
• 3 Essential Things You Need to Know About Frostbite This Winter

Infectious Disease
Primary Care
Wellness

Average Body Temperature: What’s Normal

them before – like dentist offices, eye appointments, daycares and even some businesses. But, what is considered average body temperature and why is it that our body temperature seems to fluctuate day-to-day and even hour-by-hour? Julia Jenkins, DO, UnityPoint Health, answers some common questions.

What is Normal Body Temperature?

Historically, normal body temperature has been known to be 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. In reality, normal body temperature is actually more of a range, likely between 97 and 100-degrees Fahrenheit. There are recent studies that suggest the average body temperature is trending down over time and is likely closer to 98 degrees Fahrenheit for the general population.

Most adults don’t need to monitor their body temperature with any regularity. The body regulates it all on its own through a well-functioning immune and inflammatory system.

What Temperature is Considered a Fever?

In medicine, 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit is considered high body temperature, also known as “having a temperature.” If your body temperature is over that threshold, it may mean your immune system has been activated to fight off an infection. If you do get a temperature reading of greater than 100.4, you should be vigilant and limit your exposure to others. A good tip is that a fever is often accompanied by other signs that suggest infection including:

• Shivering
• Headache
• Not feeling hungry
• Body aches
• Sweating

What If I Have a High Body Temperature, But Don’t Feel Sick?

There are a lot of isolated things that can cause an increase in body temperature, but your body is very good at regulating and returning the body temperature to a normal range. If you have an elevated body temperature and you do not feel ill, that is not necessarily a reason to be concerned. In this case, it’s a good idea to recheck your temperature about an hour after the high reading to see if it has returned to normal. Also, watch more closely for signs of illness.

Outside of Illness and Infection, What Raises Body Temperature?

• Warm/Cold weather. External factors, like warm summertime weather or chilly winter weather, can alter the core body temperature. Your level of activity, current health status and conditions of exposure will all play a significant role in exactly how much it causes your body temperature to change.
• Hot showers. Just like hot weather, hot showers can impact your body temperature. For an accurate reading using a thermometer, wait 60 minutes after showering to check your temperature. Similarly, cold showers can bring your body temperature down.
• Hot food & drinks. If you are checking your temperature using an oral thermometer in your mouth, wait 15-20 minutes after eating or drinking. Oral intake does not impact core body temperature but can cause a false reading on your thermometer.
• Laying on one side. Theoretically, if you use an ear thermometer right after waking, you could have a slightly higher body temperature on the side you slept on. If so, recheck about an hour after waking.
• Teething in children. Teething may cause a very slight increase, but it will not cause a fever. If your baby is teething and has a fever over 100.4, it’s likely due to an illness.
• Pregnancy. Many women will feel warm during the early stages of pregnancy. This change in temperature is usually minimal and wouldn’t be considered a fever. This rise in temperature is due to increased blood volume, hormone changes and other physiological aspects supporting the growing fetus.
• Gender. Men and women have very similar core body temperatures. There can, however, be a difference in skin temperature and perceived warmth. Women tend to feel comfortable in slightly warmer environments. The explanation is actually very complicated – but in general, think of it being related to hormones and metabolic rate. Men have a higher metabolic rate and higher muscle mass and thus are a bit warmer.
• Stress. Chronic stress and significant emotional incidents can both cause the body temperature to increase – likely due to the body’s inability to efficiently regulate. Chronic stress places demand on the body and can show an increase in body temperature of up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Certain short-term, stressful events can be more dramatic with spikes of body temperature of up to 105 or even 106 degrees Fahrenheit. This is likely due to a physiological response, like the “fight or flight” response.
• Weight gain. During times of weight loss, you’ll notice a drop in average body temperature over time that’s due to less calorie intake and decreasing metabolic rate. If you gain the weight back, the body temperature will rise again.

Is There a Best Time of the Day to Take a Temperature?

Body temperature varies throughout the day and is lowest in the morning and highest in the afternoon. Your body has a complex thermoregulation mechanism to help keep its temperature within the normal ranges. There really isn’t a “best time of day” to check your temperature. Even within the normal daily fluctuations, it would be uncommon for a person to have a temperature more than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit without some secondary cause – like illness.

What Type of Thermometer is Best?

Digital thermometers are generally accurate and safe for most ages. To get an accurate reading for babies under 3 months old, it’s best to use a rectal temperature. Mouth and ear thermometers are not recommended for this young age group. Forehead thermometers are also accurate and recommended. They generally are quick, and well tolerated, but the drawback is they are more expensive. It’s also not a good idea to use those plastic strip thermometers that look like stickers. They are not accurate.

What are Ways to Bring Your Body Temperature Down?

Whether you have an illness, or you are simply seeing a temporary body temperature spike, it’s important to give your body the tools it needs to cool down. Here are some non-medicinal things you can try:

• Move to a cooler, indoor room
• Take off clothing
• Use a cool compress – like cold wash cloth on the forehead
• Take a cool shower/bath

What is the normal body temperature? What if it’s too high? What if it’s too low? — Meduza

1

What happened?

Fever is the most common symptom of the new coronavirus infection. It occurs in 90% of cases. True, it may appear with the development of the disease, and not at its very beginning.

Because of this, people began to take their temperature more often, and it turned out that it was rarely 36.6 °C. This has become a cause for concern.

2

Does everyone have problems? Or is 36.6 not ideal?

Of course, 36.6°C is not ideal. This is the average temperature of healthy people, measured in the mouth. In one study, the range of normal values ​​was from 35.3 to 37.7 °C, in the other – even more. The temperature measured in the ear and temple was below 36.6 °C by hundredths of a degree, under the arm was lower by an average of 0.26 °C, that is, it was approximately 36.3 °C. Data on average normal rectal temperature is less, but what is available speaks of 36.9°C

In addition, during the day in a healthy person, the temperature can change by half a degree. Also, it is not the same depending on the season, age (in older people it is lower), on the phase of the menstrual cycle, on whether the person ate before the measurement (the temperature rises after eating), and other factors.

3

But do they somehow determine the elevated temperature?

Yes, and this is very conditional. Medical specialists need to make difficult decisions, often quite quickly – and it is obvious that it is impossible to determine in advance the normal temperature of a particular person, and then, focusing on these indicators, say whether it is elevated right now. Therefore, the average value is used. For example, the World Health Organization encourages people to stay at home even with mild symptoms and 37.3 ° C (without specifying the place of measurement). But she suggests that medical workers in an epidemic should pay attention to a fever of 38 ° C and above.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regardless of the new coronavirus infection, defines a fever as 38 ° C or higher (also without specifying the place of measurement). At the same time, if the temperature cannot be measured or the person has already taken antipyretics, it is allowed to focus on the patient’s feelings: if he feels that the temperature is elevated, then apparently it is.

It is known, however, that newborns, older people, patients with chronic renal failure, and those taking corticosteroids may not have a fever when other people do.

4

What does fever even mean? That there is some kind of infection?

This too. But it can also be in a condition called “hyperthermia”. The difference is that when it is hot, the human body begins to consider the elevated temperature as normal and actively maintains it. With hyperthermia, the body does not cease to consider the normal temperature as normal, but at the same time, for various reasons, it heats up. For example, due to too warm clothes, training in a hot room, hyperthyroidism, ecstasy use. Such a condition cannot be fought with ordinary antipyretics – physical methods work here, like a bath with cool (not cold) water.

It is impossible to separate hyperthermia from fever in some universal way – usually doctors rely on other symptoms and concomitant factors. For example, if a person was brought to the hospital in August from a sports ground, then hyperthermia is more likely to be suspected. If a person is hot, but does not sweat, this is also evidence in her favor. As well as the situation when ordinary antipyretics do not help.

5

Is it normal if the temperature is low? Can it even be too low?

The temperature is too low – this is on average below 35 °C. The most obvious cause of this condition is frost outside or low temperature indoors. But hypothermia (a condition in which the temperature is lowered) can also occur in other cases. For example, for:

• hypothyroidism
• head injury
• stroke
• hypoglycemia (low blood sugar; occurs, for example, with diabetes mellitus)
• anorexia nervosa

90 043 certain medications (such as beta-blockers)

• lack of physical activity
• alcohol poisoning

In this case, a person may shake or, conversely, he may be very lethargic. He may experience confusion, loss of memory, he will speak with difficulty, breathe more often.

6

How to measure temperature correctly?

The most accurate temperature measurement available at home is rectal (in the rectum). But the big question is whether such measurement accuracy is needed, if it is so inconvenient.

If you decide to measure the temperature in your mouth, then you can do this only 20-30 minutes after you smoked, ate something or drank something hot or cold. The tip of the thermometer should be placed under the tongue. You need to breathe through your nose.

Rectal measurements The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends for children under three years of age because they are unlikely to keep a thermometer in their mouth properly. To do this, you need to grease the tip of the thermometer with something like Vaseline, put the child on your stomach on your knees or lay him on his back and bend his legs, and then insert the thermometer 1–2.5 centimeters.

Underarm measurements are often inaccurate because people don’t hold their arm tightly. However, in the UK, this is how it is recommended to measure the temperature of children under five years old (and dissuade from rectal measurements).

The thermometer should always be washed with soap and warm water before use or wiped with alcohol. Each place should have its own thermometer: you cannot use the same one for rectal and axillary measurements.

7

Which thermometer to choose?

Not mercury. They may be more accurate than others, but the risks outweigh the benefits. All over the world they are getting rid of them.

The question is very complicated, because there are no official centralized collection points for mercury thermometers. In some regions, there are private companies and municipal enterprises that accept mercury thermometers.

Doctors usually recommend the use of electronic thermometers. If you have one, it’s a good idea to look at the manual. There, for example, you can find information that it is better to hold the thermometer for some more time after the beep, so that the result is more accurate.

Infrared non-contact thermometers are convenient in that they show the temperature very quickly, besides, they can measure, for example, the temperature of water and everything else. But you must not forget to take care of them according to the instructions so that the readings are as accurate as possible.

Other thermometers (pacifiers, chemical, phone tips) are less reliable or less well understood.

8

If the temperature is high, what should I do?

It depends on your condition. If you feel unwell, take an antipyretic (such as ibuprofen or paracetamol) and drink enough fluids to stay hydrated. There are no magic numbers, after which you definitely need to bring down the temperature, no. Some harm directly from heat can only occur at very high values ​​- 42 ° C and above.

It is true that a fever helps the immune system fight infection, but it cannot be said that there is reliable evidence. Another nuance directly related to the new coronavirus infection is the suspicion that ibuprofen worsens the course of the disease. However, at the moment, the World Health Organization has not found confirmation of this.

9

When should you see a doctor if you have a fever?

If:

• you are pregnant
• you have just left the hospital or had surgery and a temperature of 38 °C lasts more than an hour
• you are taking drugs that suppress the immune system
• fever does not go away for several days or comes back
• you have recently been bitten by a tick
• you have a serious illness
• a rash develops (if it does not turn pale when pressed – it is better to use a transparent glass – then you need to call an ambulance)
• you have shortness of breath (this can be a sign of pneumonia, call an ambulance) pain in your back, stomach or side (call
• had a seizure or confusion (call
• )
• you are vomiting severely or have severe diarrhea (call 900)

Daria Sargsyan

Fever in illness: mechanisms and causes

Content

• 1. 1 Body temperature: mechanisms and causes of its increase in illness
  • 1.1.1 What is body temperature and how is it regulated
• 1.2 Diseases that cause fever
• 1.3 An increase in body temperature during illness: mechanisms and causes
  • 1.3.1 How does an increase in body temperature occur during an illness
• 43 1.6 How reduce body temperature in case of illness
• 1.7 Is it necessary to reduce body temperature in case of illness?
• 1.8 How to reduce body temperature when sick
• 1.9Taking antipyretics: is it always safe
• 1.10 What should I do if my body temperature does not drop?
• 1.11 When to see a doctor if the body temperature is elevated
• 1.12 Related videos:
• 1.13 Q&A:
  • • 1.13.0.1 Why does the body temperature rise during illness?
    • 1.13.0.2 How often does body temperature rise during illness?
    • 1.13.0.3 How to distinguish an increase in body temperature during illness from ordinary overheating?
    • 1. 13.0.4 What should I do if my body temperature is high?
    • 1.13.0.5 What diseases can be accompanied by fever?
    • 1.13.0.6 Which medicines help lower body temperature?

Find out why body temperature rises when you are sick, what mechanisms are behind it and how they help fight infection. An explanation of the processes occurring in the body during a fever is in our article.

Disease always causes a response of the body. One of the most common symptoms is an increase in body temperature. This physiological process is a protective reaction that helps fight infectious agents and helps the body cope with the disease.

The temperature regime of the human body is controlled by the thermoregulation center in the hypothalamus of the brain. When diseases occur, the thermoregulatory center increases heat production in order to suppress the activity of infectious agents. This leads to an acceleration of metabolic processes and an increase in body temperature.

Although a rise in temperature is a protective reaction of the body, nevertheless, too high temperatures can lead to undesirable consequences, such as dehydration and confusion. Therefore, it is important to take care of your health, monitor your body temperature and consult with specialists if necessary.

Body temperature: mechanisms and reasons for its increase in illness

What is body temperature and how it is regulated

Body temperature is an indicator of the thermal state of the body, which characterizes the degree of heat transfer and heat generation. The normal body temperature of an adult is between 36.6 and 37.2 degrees Celsius.

At the same time, if the body temperature decreases, the hypothalamus activates the opposite mechanism, aimed at increasing the body temperature. Thus, there is a maintenance of a constant body temperature in the body.

However, during illness, an increase in body temperature above normal is often observed. This is due to the fact that cytokines, protein molecules that are involved in the regulation of the immune system, begin to actively stand out in the body. These substances act on the hypothalamus and cause an increase in body temperature, which helps fight infection and restore health.

Diseases that cause fever

SARS and influenza are the most common causes of fever. Their symptoms, in addition to fever, include a runny nose, cough, headache, muscle pain, and weakness. The infection causes the body to produce interferon, which leads to an increase in temperature.

Urinary tract infections – these include cystitis, pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis. They can cause fever, discomfort when urinating, discomfort in the kidney area. The patient may have an increased pulse and blood pressure.

Pneumonia is a disease characterized by inflammation of the lungs. The patient has a fever, severe cough with sputum, shortness of breath. Depending on the severity of the disease, there may be a change in classic symptoms such as fever, cough, and chest pain.

Angina is a disease caused by an infection that affects the tonsils. It is accompanied by sore throat, higher body temperature, the presence of purulent lumps on the tonsils and lymph nodes. Usually with angina, the fingers and toes “freeze”.

Tuberculosis is an infectious lung disease that causes fever. It is accompanied by weakness, cough, night sweats, weight loss. Tuberculosis can often go unnoticed for a long time, which leads to serious consequences.

An increase in body temperature during illness: mechanisms and causes

How an increase in body temperature occurs during an illness

An increase in body temperature during an illness is a protective reaction of the body to bacteria, viruses and other infectious agents. It is a complex mechanism that includes many physiological processes.

Prostaglandin E2 is the main cause of fever during illness. It stimulates the hypothalamus to set a higher body temperature. In this case, the body constricts blood vessels and increases the metabolic process to increase body temperature.

Thus, an increase in body temperature during illness is a complex process associated with changes in thermoregulation and the release of prostaglandin E2. These changes help protect the body from infections and speed up the healing process.

Why fever is the body’s natural defense mechanism

When sick, many people experience fever, which is often accompanied by feelings of weakness, headaches, and other unpleasant symptoms. But why does our body react in this way to disease?

The body’s first defense mechanism is an increase in body temperature. When a pathogen infects the body, our immune system begins to produce special proteins called pyrogens. They act on the hypothalamus, the thermoregulatory center in the brain, and cause an increase in body temperature. High temperatures speed up chemical reactions in the body and allow many of the body’s defense cells and enzymes to fight viruses and bacteria more effectively.

Of course, high body temperature is not a pleasant sensation, it can cause aches, weakness and headaches. However, it must be understood that this is a natural reaction of the body and evidence that the process of immune defense has suddenly begun to spin at high speeds.

Complications of high body temperature

Meningitis

Complications are possible in people whose high body temperature does not decrease for more than 3-4 days. Unnecessarily high temperatures can lead to meningitis, an inflammatory disease of the meninges that protect the brain from environmental influences.

Dehydration

If body temperature rises, sweating also increases. A person loses a lot of fluid, and it is important to drink water periodically in order to replenish fluid reserves. With prolonged loss of water in the body, intestinal paralysis may occur.

Eczemas

If a person has a high fever for a long time, additional sweating can lead to eczema. Eczema is an acute form of eczematous dermatitis (skin disease) that occurs against a background of elevated body temperature. A complication is possible if eczema is not cured and lasts for a long time.

Headache and vomiting

Both adults and children may experience headache, dizziness, severe muscle and joint pain, difficulty breathing, vomiting, convulsions, etc. Various symptoms can appear due to both inflammation and dehydration. These are very serious complications, which in some cases can lead to death.

How to reduce the body temperature in case of illness

If the body temperature has risen due to illness, then measures must be taken to reduce it. The following recommendations will help you to cope with this task:

• Take antipyretics, medicines that can lower your body temperature. However, you should consult your doctor and strictly follow the instructions in the instructions for the drug.
• Drink plenty of water and other fluids. High body temperature increases sweating, which can lead to dehydration. The liquid will help prevent this process and lower the temperature faster.
• Cool down your body. You may need to wear light clothing, open windows to ventilate the room, or apply a cold compress to your forehead and other parts of your body.
• Rest easy. Avoid strenuous exercise and stressful situations as they can increase body temperature.

It should not be forgotten that a decrease in body temperature in case of illness is not a cure. If you have symptoms of a disease, consult a doctor and follow the instructions for treating the disease.

Is it necessary to reduce the temperature in case of illness?

High body temperature may be the result of a defensive reaction of the body to a virus or infection. However, how much is it necessary to reduce such a temperature, and at what values?

Thus, at temperatures above 39 degrees Celsius in children and above 38.5 degrees Celsius in adults, measures should be taken to reduce it. This is associated with a risk of complications such as seizures, hyperthermia and dehydration.

1. At temperatures up to 38 degrees Celsius, bringing down the temperature is not recommended, as this can slow down the infection control process.
2. At temperatures above the mentioned values, it is possible to use antipyretic drugs, however, it is important to consult a doctor before using them.

How to reduce body temperature when sick

When sick, body temperature inevitably rises, but you can take steps to reduce it. An increase in temperature is a protective reaction of the body to infection and the fight against it. But if the temperature is too high, it can damage body tissues. Therefore, it is important to know how to quickly reduce body temperature.

• Taking antipyretics is one of the most effective ways to reduce body temperature. Aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen can help bring down the temperature. However, the recommended dose should not be exceeded to avoid side effects.
• Drinks and liquids – should be increased to prevent dehydration of the body. Water, fruit juices and warm drinks can be consumed regularly in small portions.
• Cooling the body is also one of the effective ways to reduce body temperature. Applying cold compresses to the forehead, wrists, and ankles will help bring the temperature down quickly. You can also ventilate the room to lower the ambient temperature.
• Rest and sleep is a measure that should not be forgotten in case of illness. It is necessary to rest and give the body a chance to recover and fight the disease.

But remember that a high fever can be a sign of a serious illness that needs to be treated under medical supervision.

Is it always safe to use antipyretics?

antipyretics are medicines used to lower body temperature when it is elevated due to an illness or other condition. They are one of the most common ways to deal with fever and are generally safe to use in most cases.

However, not all antipyretics are safe for every patient. Some may cause side effects such as allergic reactions, nausea, headaches, and other health problems.

In addition, we must not forget about the main reason for the increase in body temperature – illness. The use of antipyretic drugs can only mask the symptoms of the disease without eliminating its cause. Therefore, if you are taking antipyretic drugs to manage a fever, but your condition worsens or does not improve within a few days, you should seek medical attention.

Antipyretic drugs should also not be abused. Their use must be justified and limited in time and dose specified in the instructions. Uncontrolled increase in dose or prolonged use can lead to negative health effects, including the development of allergic reactions, liver problems, and even hemorrhagic syndrome.

Also be aware of possible contraindications to the use of antipyretic drugs. Some medicines may not be safe for certain patient groups, including pregnant women, children, the elderly, and those who are allergic to any of the medicine’s ingredients. Therefore, before use, be sure to consult a doctor.

What if the body temperature does not drop?

High body temperature is a common occurrence in illness and can sometimes last for several days. But if the methods used to reduce the temperature do not help, then additional measures are needed. If the temperature persists, you should consult a doctor.

Importance of drinking regimen. At high body temperature, water evaporates faster and the metabolism speeds up. Therefore, be sure to provide the body with an additional amount of fluid. Water should be at room temperature.

Compliance with the regime. Seven to eight hours of sleep is necessary for the recovery of the body and immunity. It is better to take a walk in the fresh air, ventilate the room and give up strenuous exercise.

Take measures to reduce the temperature. Every day you can perform procedures to reduce the temperature, such as: rubbing with water, applying compresses, taking warm baths. It is important to ensure that the water is not cold, and the body is supercooled.

Medicines. If the body temperature does not decrease within a few days, you should consult a doctor. He will prescribe medications that will help to quickly cope with the disease, reducing the time of fever.

When to see a doctor if you have a fever

An increase in body temperature can be a sign of several diseases, some of which require serious medical attention. It is worth contacting a specialist if:

• The body temperature exceeds 38 degrees and persists for some time
• There is severe pain in the body, movement is difficult, or there are other unusual symptoms associated with an increase in temperature
• If convulsions, dizziness, impaired consciousness, etc. similar conditions

However, if your fever was accompanied by influenza or other viral diseases, you decided to stay at home and treat yourself, following the recommendations of doctors.

Immediate medical attention is recommended for children, the elderly, pregnant women and other risk groups.

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Question-answer:

Why does the body temperature rise during illness?

An increase in body temperature during illness has different mechanisms. One such mechanism is the body’s defense response to infection. High temperature inhibits the development of bacteria and viruses, speeds up the immune system and improves blood circulation. An increase in body temperature can also indicate the development of inflammation, for example, in the lungs.

How often does body temperature rise during illness?

The frequency of fever during illness can vary considerably. Some people who are ill do not have a fever, while others may have a fever of 39 degrees or more. In most cases, body temperature rises during the first two days of illness, after which it begins to decrease. However, in rare cases, prolonged fever can last more than a week.

How to distinguish an increase in body temperature during illness from ordinary overheating?

Normal overheating of the body most often occurs as a result of high physical activity. This can be distinguished from fever during illness by the symptoms. With an increase in body temperature during illness, other signs may appear, such as muscle pain, cough, runny nose, etc. In addition, with normal overheating of the body, the temperature quickly returns to normal, while during illness it can remain high for several days.

What to do with high body temperature?

If your body temperature is high, you need to drink more fluids, especially water, to avoid dehydration.