What are the key symptoms of sepsis. How can you identify this potentially deadly condition. Why is early detection crucial for sepsis treatment. What steps should you take if you suspect sepsis.

Understanding Sepsis: The Hidden Threat to Your Health

Sepsis, often referred to as “blood poisoning,” is a life-threatening condition that affects over a million Americans annually. Despite its prevalence, a significant portion of the population remains unaware of this silent killer. Sepsis occurs when the body’s immune response to an infection spirals out of control, potentially leading to organ failure and death if left untreated.

The severity of sepsis cannot be overstated. According to the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, 15 to 30 percent of those affected by sepsis succumb to the condition. This alarming statistic underscores the importance of early detection and prompt treatment.

Who is at risk for sepsis?

While individuals with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable, it’s crucial to understand that sepsis can affect anyone. Even a minor infection, such as a urinary tract infection or a small cut, can potentially escalate into sepsis under certain circumstances.

Recognizing the Warning Signs: Key Symptoms of Sepsis

Identifying sepsis early is critical for successful treatment. However, its symptoms can often be mistaken for other conditions, leading to delayed diagnosis. To protect yourself and your loved ones, familiarize yourself with these key sepsis symptoms:

1. Fever: The Primary Indicator

A high fever is often the most prominent and specific sign of sepsis. Dr. R. Philip Dellinger, a renowned sepsis expert, explains that fever occurs when “toxins from the infecting organism get into the bloodstream and produce inflammation.” This systemic inflammation is a hallmark of sepsis.

2. Hypothermia: The Less Common Temperature Response

In some cases, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems, sepsis may manifest with an abnormally low body temperature instead of a fever. Dr. Craig Coopersmith, a leading sepsis researcher, notes that this response is less common but can indicate a more severe case with a worse prognosis.

3. Chills: The Subjective Symptom

Chills often accompany a high fever in sepsis cases. While this symptom is subjective and cannot be directly observed by healthcare providers, it’s important to report if you’re experiencing chills along with other symptoms.

4. Pain or Discomfort: Localized or Widespread

Sepsis-related pain can manifest throughout the body or be concentrated in specific areas. The tragic case of 12-year-old Rory Staunton illustrates how easily this symptom can be misinterpreted. Rory complained of stomach and leg pain, which was initially dismissed as a simple stomach upset and dehydration. Sadly, these were actually signs of sepsis that had developed from a small cut on his arm.

5. Low Blood Pressure: A Critical Warning Sign

Hypotension, or low blood pressure, is considered one of the most serious manifestations of sepsis. It can indicate the onset of septic shock, the most critical stage of the condition. During sepsis, blood vessels lose fluid and relax, disrupting normal blood flow throughout the body. Medical professionals are trained to look for a decrease in systolic blood pressure (the top number) to less than 100 as a potential sepsis indicator.

6. Rapid Heart Rate: The Body’s Desperate Response

As sepsis progresses, the heart often begins to race in an attempt to compensate for the dropping blood pressure. This tachycardia is a key symptom that healthcare providers look for when assessing a potential sepsis case.

The Importance of Early Detection in Sepsis Treatment

When it comes to sepsis, time is of the essence. Early detection and prompt treatment with antibiotics and supportive care can significantly improve outcomes. However, the challenge lies in distinguishing sepsis symptoms from those of other, less severe conditions.

Why is sepsis often misdiagnosed?

The symptoms of sepsis can mimic those of other infections, such as the flu. This similarity can lead to misdiagnosis or delayed recognition of sepsis. Dr. Dellinger emphasizes that it’s the combination and severity of symptoms that often point towards a sepsis diagnosis. “The greater the number and magnitude of each finding, the more and more concern there is for sepsis,” he explains.

Taking Action: What to Do If You Suspect Sepsis

If you or someone you know is exhibiting multiple symptoms that could indicate sepsis, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention. Here are some steps you can take:

• Don’t hesitate to mention your concerns about sepsis to healthcare providers
• Provide a detailed account of all symptoms, including their onset and severity
• Inform medical staff about any recent infections, injuries, or medical procedures
• Ask for a sepsis screening if you feel your concerns aren’t being adequately addressed

Sepsis Prevention: Reducing Your Risk

While it’s not always possible to prevent sepsis, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk:

1. Practice good hygiene, especially wound care
2. Stay up-to-date with vaccinations
3. Manage chronic conditions effectively
4. Seek prompt treatment for infections
5. Be aware of sepsis symptoms, particularly if you’re in a high-risk group

The Role of Education in Combating Sepsis

Increasing public awareness about sepsis is crucial in the fight against this deadly condition. The story of Rory Staunton serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of sepsis education. Following their son’s tragic death, Rory’s parents established the Rory Staunton Foundation to promote sepsis awareness and education.

How can we improve sepsis awareness?

Enhancing sepsis awareness requires a multi-faceted approach:

• Incorporating sepsis education into school health curricula
• Conducting public health campaigns about sepsis symptoms and risks
• Training healthcare providers to recognize and respond to sepsis quickly
• Encouraging open communication between patients and healthcare providers about sepsis concerns

Advances in Sepsis Research and Treatment

The medical community continues to make strides in understanding and treating sepsis. Ongoing research focuses on improving early detection methods, developing more effective treatments, and understanding the long-term effects of sepsis on survivors.

What are the latest developments in sepsis treatment?

Recent advancements in sepsis care include:

• Development of rapid diagnostic tests to identify sepsis-causing pathogens
• Exploration of immunomodulatory therapies to regulate the body’s response to infection
• Implementation of sepsis care bundles to standardize and improve treatment protocols
• Investigation of biomarkers for early sepsis detection

These developments offer hope for improving sepsis outcomes in the future. However, early recognition and prompt treatment remain the most critical factors in saving lives.

Living with the Aftermath: Sepsis Survivors’ Challenges

While surviving sepsis is a significant victory, many patients face ongoing challenges after recovery. Post-sepsis syndrome can include a range of physical and psychological symptoms that persist long after the initial infection has been treated.

What long-term effects can sepsis survivors experience?

Sepsis survivors may struggle with:

• Chronic fatigue and weakness
• Cognitive impairments, including memory issues
• Anxiety and depression
• Increased susceptibility to infections
• Organ dysfunction

These long-term effects underscore the importance of follow-up care and support for sepsis survivors. Healthcare providers are increasingly recognizing the need for comprehensive post-sepsis care to address these ongoing challenges.

The Global Impact of Sepsis: A Public Health Crisis

Sepsis is not just a personal health concern; it’s a global public health crisis. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes sepsis as a major threat to patient safety and global health.

How does sepsis affect healthcare systems worldwide?

The impact of sepsis extends beyond individual patients:

• Sepsis places a significant burden on healthcare resources
• It contributes to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance
• Sepsis disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries
• It’s a leading cause of maternal and neonatal mortality in many parts of the world

Addressing the global sepsis crisis requires international cooperation, improved healthcare infrastructure, and continued research into prevention and treatment strategies.

In conclusion, sepsis remains a formidable threat to public health, but increased awareness and early intervention can significantly improve outcomes. By familiarizing ourselves with the symptoms of sepsis, seeking prompt medical attention when necessary, and supporting ongoing research and education efforts, we can all play a role in combating this silent killer. Remember, when it comes to sepsis, knowledge truly is power – it could save your life or the life of someone you love.

Sepsis Infection: Symptoms You Need to Know

Sepsis, or “blood poisoning,” is deadly—but it’s also tough to diagnose. Learning to recognize the signs is your best protection against this silent killer.

eldar nurkovic

Sepsis symptom: fever

Sepsis strikes more than a million Americans every year, and according to the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, 15 to 30 percent die from it. And yet a survey shows that some 45 percent of Americans have never even heard of sepsis, a deadly infection that happens when the whole body mounts an immune response to an infection elsewhere in the body. People with weakened immune systems are most vulnerable, but anyone can develop sepsis from an initial infection such as pneumonia, a urinary tract infection, or even just a cut on the arm or leg. (Look out for these signs that your cut or scrape is infected.) Although sepsis can easily be treated with antibiotics along with supportive care if caught early, sepsis symptoms can be confused with other conditions, so it often goes undiagnosed until it’s too late. That’s why it’s crucial to learn the signs of sepsis, and the first and most important is a high fever. Sepsis occurs when “toxins from the infecting organism get into the bloodstream and produce inflammation,” says noted sepsis expert R. Philip Dellinger, MD, chair and chief of the department of medicine at Cooper University Health Care in Camden, New Jersey. “Fever is the most specific finding of infection-induced systemic inflammation.”

MinDof/Shutterstock

Sepsis symptom: a very low temperature

Alternately, toxins from a sepsis infection can cause the opposite effect. “Very rarely, the body responds to an infection by dropping body temperature, although this is less common,” says Craig Coopersmith, MD, a surgeon at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta and a leading researcher on sepsis. Studies have shown that a low temp can mean a more serious case of sepsis and a worse prognosis. In people who have weakened immune systems, sepsis can sometimes show up without an abnormal temperature.

anon_tae/Shutterstock

Sepsis symptom: chills

Ironically, chills often accompany a high temperature—and if this is one of your symptoms, make sure you mention it to the doctor. “Chills are subjective—a patient feels chills but it cannot be observed by a health-care provider,” Dr. Dellinger says. However, fever and chills can easily be mistaken for a different type of infection, such as the flu, so it’s usually only in combination with other symptoms that sepsis can be identified. “The greater the number and magnitude of each finding, the more and more concern there is for sepsis,” Dr. Dellinger says.

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Sepsis symptom: pain or discomfort

The pain from fighting off a sepsis infection can be felt all over or localized to specific spots. For 12-year-old Rory Staunton, one of the most obvious sepsis symptoms was pain in his stomach as well as his leg, which was overlooked by doctors. “We made our way to the ER at a major New York medical institution, where the doctors said Rory’s discomfort was caused by a sick stomach and dehydration,” says Orlaith Staunton, Rory’s mother. Sadly, Rory’s sepsis, which he contracted after he cut his arm in gym class, was not caught in time. “The following morning, he continued to complain of pain,” she says. “We brought Rory back to the hospital on Friday evening and this time they admitted him to the ICU. He was gravely ill.” Rory died two days later. His parents established the Rory Staunton Foundation in his memory to promote sepsis education and awareness, for which Staunton was honored by the L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth philanthropic program. Here are 10 more pain symptoms you should never ignore.

Dmytro Zinkevych / Shutterstock

Sepsis symptom: low blood pressure

Low blood pressure is “likely the most serious manifestation” of the infection, Dr. Dellinger says, and can indicate septic shock, the most critical stage. Low blood pressure happens during sepsis as blood vessels start to lose fluid and veins and arteries relax, so blood is not moving through the body as it should. “In its most severe form, the low blood pressure does not respond to fluid replacement, and the patient requires medicine delivered into the vein to raise blood pressure,” Dr. Dellinger says. Medical guidelines for sepsis instruct doctors to be on the lookout for a decrease in systolic blood pressure (the top number) to less than 100.

Orawan Pattarawimonchai / Shutterstock

Sepsis symptom: fast heart rate

If you have a sepsis infection, your heart tries to move blood more efficiently so it can fight the illness. “A common response to being sick is for the body to increase the amount of blood being pumped from their heart,” Dr. Coopersmith explains. “The two ways the body has to do this are to increase heart rate and to pump the heart more strongly. This increased blood gives the body a greater chance to fight the infection. ” A heart rate of 90 beats a minute or greater may be one of the signs of sepsis, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information.

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Sepsis symptom: shortness of breath

Another hallmark of sepsis that the new guidelines say to watch for is a breathing rate greater than 22 breaths per minute. Sepsis can cause fast breathing for two reasons: “One is that the infection is in the lungs, which causes decreased oxygen,” says Dr. Coopersmith, who was on the task force that developed the guidelines. Pneumonia, which he says is the most common cause of sepsis, is one such infection. But, “even if the infection is not in the lungs, as the infection progresses, the body’s need for oxygen increases and the need to release carbon dioxide increases. The body responds to this by breathing faster and feeling short of breath.” Note that shortness of breath is also one of the silent signs of a heart attack.

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Sepsis symptom: pale, mottled, or clammy skin

As your body diverts its energy and resources to the brain and heart, it can start to neglect what it considers less critical organs, like the skin. “When a patient gets septic, the body moves blood flow to the most vital organs and away from parts that are less important to staying alive,” Dr. Coopersmith says. “So it can result in less blood flow to the skin and cause it to be pale.” Orlaith Staunton notes that her son Rory had oddly mottled skin, which was also dismissed by doctors until it was too late. “They were not looking for sepsis and therefore they failed to detect and diagnose it,” she says. “If Rory’s doctors had thought to ask if sepsis could be the reason for his symptoms, they would have seen it immediately.”

Mladen Mitrinovic / Shutterstock

Sepsis symptom: sleepiness or mental confusion

Although Dr. Dellinger says this is more common in elderly patients, Orlaith Staunton noticed marked sleepiness in her son, Rory. Just like when you’re tired or when you have a cold, your body needs rest to try to fight off the infection. But Dr. Coopersmith notes that low blood pressure can also make you feel out of it. “When your blood pressure falls below a certain point, you don’t get enough blood flow to your brain, and you can be sleepy or confused,” he says. With sepsis, the sleepy/confused feeling will accompany other characteristic symptoms. Be on the lookout for these other sneaky signs you’re getting sick.

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Sepsis symptom: decreased urination

Patients with sepsis start to pee less. This could happen because you eat and drink less when you don’t feel good, or if you’re throwing up or have diarrhea. But it could also be caused by something more serious: “leaky” blood vessels. “Think of blood vessels as being like a garden hose, and millions of small pinholes in a garden hose cause the fluid to leak out” into the body, Dr. Coopersmith says.

Goffkein.pro / Shutterstock

Sepsis symptom: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

Unfortunately, GI symptoms are what threw off Rory Staunton’s doctors—they thought he just had a stomach virus. Intestinal problems can result from an initial gut infection that leads to sepsis. Or, “as the body moves blood to vital organs, it moves blood away from less vital organs such as the intestines, which can cause some of these symptoms if blood flow is not adequate,” Dr. Coopersmith says. Orlaith Staunton, Rory’s mom, adds, “Some sepsis symptoms are similar to the flu or a virus—a doctor who is not looking for sepsis or is not paying close attention to his or her patient might make this mistake.” This is why New York state passed “Rory’s Regulations” in 2013, to mandate a sepsis protocol for hospitals, which is estimated to save up to 8,000 lives. Illinois followed suit in August 2016. “Hospitals that have implemented strong sepsis protocols have cut sepsis mortality rates by up to 75 percent,” Staunton says. Even so, you can’t assume that medical professionals are infallible or know everything. If you think you or someone in your care might have sepsis, ask the question directly: “Could it be sepsis?” And don’t forget to check out this list of other deadly medical conditions that should be addressed right away.

Sources

• National Institute of General Medical Sciences.
• Craig Coopersmith, MD, surgeon, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
• R. Philip Dellinger, MD, chair and chief of the department of medicine, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ.
• Orlaith Staunton, co-founder, Rory Staunton Foundation for Sepsis Prevention, New York, NY.
• National Center for Biotechnology Information: “Sepsis: Recognition, Assessment and Early Management.”

Originally Published: September 09, 2019

Originally Published in Reader’s Digest

Tina Donvito

Tina Donvito is a writer, editor, and blogger who writes about health and wellness, travel, lifestyle, parenting, and culture. Her work has been published online in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, and Parents, among others. Chosen by Riverhead Books and author Elizabeth Gilbert, her writing appears in the anthology Eat Pray Love Made Me Do It: Life Journeys Inspired by the Bestselling Memoir. Tina was previously editor-in-chief of TWIST magazine, a celebrity news title for teen girls with an emphasis on health, body image, beauty, and fashion.

Gastroenteritis | healthdirect

Key facts

• Gastroenteritis (‘gastro’) is a common and often highly infectious condition that affects the stomach and intestines. It can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
• Babies under 6 months should always be seen by a doctor if they have gastro.
• Gastroenteritis is treated by drinking fluids, and doesn’t usually require medication.
• Reduce your risk of catching or spreading gastro by washing your hands well after using the bathroom, changing nappies or handling food.
• Children should not return to school and adults should not return to work until 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea and/or vomiting.

What is gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis is a common condition that affects the gut (the stomach and intestines) and is often highly infectious. It is also known as ‘gastro’.

Gastro is triggered by infection that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system. It can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain and nausea.

Gastro is not usually serious, but it can lead to dehydration. Milder forms can be managed at home by drinking fluids. However, older people, young children and those with a weakened immune system are at risk of developing more serious illnesses.

Gastroenteritis inflames the lining of the stomach and intestines.

Should I keep my child home from school?

Here’s a list of common childhood illnesses, including gastroenteritis, and their recommended exclusion periods.

What are the symptoms of gastroenteritis?

If you have gastroenteritis, you may have:

• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• nausea (feeling sick in the stomach)
• stomach pains
• fever
• headaches
• no appetite

Gastroenteritis symptoms usually last for 1 to 2 days, but occasionally they may persist for as long as 10 days.

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the diarrhoea and vomiting Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

When should I see my doctor?

See a doctor immediately if your child cannot keep down a sip of liquid or has dehydration (dry mouth, no urine for 6 hours or more, or lethargy). Babies under 6 months should always be seen by a doctor if they have gastro.

Adults and older children should seek medical advice if their symptoms include a fever, severe abdominal pain, blood in their diarrhoea or signs of dehydration, such as thirst and decreased urination, lethargy, dry mouth, sunken eyes or feeling faint when standing.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.

What causes gastroenteritis?

Gastro may be caused by:

• viruses (these are by far the most common cause and include the rotavirus and norovirus infections)
• bacteria, such as salmonella
• toxins produced by bacteria
• parasites, such as giardia
• chemicals, such as toxins in poisonous mushrooms

Viral gastroenteritis is highly infectious and spreads through contact with contaminated hands, objects or food. It can also be spread through coughing and sneezing.

How is gastroenteritis diagnosed?

A doctor can diagnose gastro after talking to and examining you. If you’re not getting better, the doctor may want to do a stool (poo) test to find out what organism is making you ill.

How is gastroenteritis treated?

Gastro should only last for a few days and does not normally require treatment. Medication for nausea or diarrhoea can be useful for adults, but may not be safe for children. Antibiotics are rarely helpful.

The most important treatment for gastroenteritis is to drink fluids. Frequent sips are easier for young children than a large amount all at once. Keep drinking regularly even if you are vomiting. You can also buy rehydration fluids from a pharmacy. These are the best fluids to use in cases of gastro, especially for children.

Try to eat small amounts of food often if you feel nauseous. When your appetite returns, start with bland, easy-to-digest foods, such as plain crackers, toast, bananas, rice and chicken.

Avoid milk and other dairy products as well as undiluted fruit juice, soft-drinks, or sports drinks because the sugar may make the diarrhoea worse. It is fine to eat once you feel like it.

If you are very sick with gastro, you may need to go to hospital where you may be given fluids directly through a vein (a “drip”).

Babies and children with gastro

If you have a baby under 6 months, they should be checked by a doctor. It’s also a good idea to have babies older than 6 months and young children with gastro checked by a doctor in case they are dehydrated.

If you cannot find rehydration fluids, or your child refuses to drink it, giving diluted fruit juice (1 part juice to 4 parts of water) is reasonable. You could try a cube of ice or an ice-block if your child won’t drink.

Babies can continue milk feeds throughout the illness, with rehydration fluid between feeds.

Can gastroenteritis be prevented?

Gastro can be spread very easily. You might get it from having contact with an infected person (or their vomit or poo). It can also spread via contaminated food or water.

It’s important to stay home, away from work, school or childcare, until 48 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea.

To reduce your risk of catching or spreading gastro, wash your hands well after using the bathroom or changing nappies, and before eating or preparing food.

If you are travelling to places where the local tap water is not safe to drink, only use bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth; don’t put ice in drinks; only eat fruit you can peel yourself; and avoid uncooked food, including salads.

Children and vaccination for rotavirus

Rotavirus is a virus that causes severe gastroenteritis in babies and young children. All young children should receive the rotavirus vaccine at 6 weeks and 4 months of age. A third dose at 6 months may be needed depending on the brand of vaccine used.

This vaccine is effective in preventing the rotavirus infection in about 7 out of every 10 children vaccinated. It is also effective in preventing severe gastroenteritis in about 9 out of every 10 infants vaccinated. The vaccine provides protection for up to 5 years.

Resources and support

For more information and support, try these resources:

• the GESA (Gastroenterological Society of Australia) website, where you can find more information on gastro in kids.

Other languages

Do you prefer other languages than English? This website offers translated information:

• Health Translations, Victoria: Gastroenteritis (in Arabic, Chinese, Dari, Greek, Italian, Khmer, Macedonian, Serbian, Turkish and Vietnamese)

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

why low temperature is dangerous at omicron

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07:1405 February 2022

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Coronavirus patients experience a decrease in body temperature. Doctors believe that there is no reason to panic, but you should not ignore the symptom.

A low body temperature is often more frightening than a high one. In some cases, such concern is absolutely not justified, but there are situations when the temperature, falling below normal, requires immediate medical attention. Now, increased attention is riveted to this symptom, since it is it that manifests itself in many when infected with a new omicron strain of coronavirus. In fact, the range of possible causes of an unusual condition is much wider.

Moving norm

We are all used to using 36.6°C as the standard. However, doctors remind that, depending on a number of factors, a person’s temperature may deviate from this value by 1-2 degrees and still not go beyond the normal range.

First of all, the temperature can vary significantly at different points on the surface of the body. For example, the temperature in healthy people in the armpit is in the range of 36.4–37.2 ° C, in the oral cavity 37.2–37.7 ° C, and rectal and vaginal – in the range from 36.6 to 37.9°C.

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The time of day when the measurement is made also matters. The temperature drops to its minimum between 5 and 6 am. And exactly after 12 hours (between 17 and 18 pm) reaches a maximum. Experts also note that almost all people can detect daily fluctuations, usually 0.1-0.6 degrees. Therefore, ideally, for the most accurate diagnosis, everyone should know the upper and lower limits of their norm.

Prolonged stress, lack of sleep, poor diet with strict diets often lead to a slowdown in metabolism and blood circulation. As a result, the temperature can drop below the norm by 1–2 degrees and be at the level of 35–35. 5°C.

When it’s time to sound the alarm

In Russia, temperature is traditionally measured in the armpit. Yulia Zakiyeva, general practitioner at the SOGAZ International Medical Center, explained that when measured at this point, body temperature from 35.8 to 37.4°C is considered normal. If the temperature falls below 35.8°C, the patient is diagnosed with hypothermia.

“This may not be a pathology for people over 65 due to the fact that over the years the metabolism slows down, older people move less,” the specialist says.

After the age of 65, temperatures can drop by 1-2 degrees. This makes it easier for older people to endure the heat. A lower body temperature is also characteristic of smokers, since nicotine interferes with normal blood circulation and reduces the supply of oxygen to the vessels.

“Little children, on the contrary, due to the intensity of metabolic processes, have a higher standard of normal temperature,” experts of “Invitro” add.

According to Suna Isakova, a doctor at the SberHealth online medical service, hypothermia in healthy people can often be caused by hypothermia. For example, if a person drinks a lot of liquid with ice or stays in the cold for a long time, in cold water, in wet or damp clothes. At risk in this case are just the elderly, as well as small children.

“In case of hypothermia, there can be general hypothermia of the whole body and local hypothermia (frostbite of a separate part of the body,” explains Alexander Alexandrov, family doctor at the Scandinavia clinic. “Depending on the severity of hypothermia, the temperature can drop up to 31 ° C. This is very dangerous to life. An ambulance should be called immediately if the body temperature is 35 ° C or lower. ”

According to Yulia Zakiyeva, a decrease in body temperature can be a sign of various pathological conditions (decompensation of cardiac, respiratory and renal activity, diabetes, hypothyroidism, adrenal disease), and also occur when taking certain medications.

Covid decrease

Suna Isakova confirms that patients recovering from coronavirus also sometimes experience a decrease in body temperature up to 35°C. “The reasons for this feature are not yet known, but it does not pose a threat. If the general condition of the patient does not cause concern, then lowering the temperature does not require increased attention,” the physician reassures.

According to Alexander Alexandrov, low temperatures are not typical for the coronavirus infection. “Still, with covid, the body temperature rises – this is one of the main symptoms of a new infection. If the body temperature drops, then this is a non-standard situation, indicating that the patient has some kind of comorbidity. In this case, you should not neglect medical help. Only the doctor can assess the clinical situation and give the necessary recommendations,” he comments.

Among the possible causes of a sharp drop in temperature in patients with coronavirus infection, Yulia Zakieva names decompensation of chronic diseases, hypoglycemia, thyroid dysfunction, severe asthenia during the recovery period, disruption of the thermoregulation center, which is extremely sensitive to viral toxins. A low body temperature can also be a sign of a weak immune system response. In particular, the weak production of interleukin-1, which is one of the ways the body fights infection.

“Hypothermia should be considered together with the general clinical picture. Therefore, if a disease occurs, it is imperative to seek medical help in order to avoid the development of a severe form of the disease and the addition of complications,” sums up Yulia Zakieva.

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Some patients with coronavirus have a temperature below normal, immunologist-allergist Vladimir Bolibok told Lente.ru.

“Some have a high temperature for 1.5–2 weeks. Some people have a different situation: they get a temperature for a couple of days, and then their temperature drops to 35 degrees and below,” said Bolibok.

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According to him, low temperature is observed in patients with mild COVID-19. The reason may be a failure in the regulation of metabolism in the body, the doctor explained.

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In mid-November, scientists from the UK and the US named the symptoms observed at an early stage of infection with coronavirus. These include digestive problems such as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Conjunctivitis can be another sign of infection, but this symptom is rare – about 3% of cases.