The general condition of the patient and the presence of concomitant pathology also play a role in deciding whether to lower the temperature. In cases where the temperature does not exceed 38.5 degrees in adults and 38 degrees in children, it is recommended to carry out measures aimed at reducing it only in certain cases, such as:
- child's age up to three months;
- a history of seizures against a background of hyperthermia;
- existing severe heart and lung diseases, accompanied by the development of failure;
- the presence of diseases of the central nervous system.
Urgent measures for pink hyperthermia
The presence of high body temperature, causing it to rise to 40 degrees, necessitates active measures to reduce it. Since a further increase in temperature may already be unsafe for the body, measures to reduce it should be carried out for all patients without exception.
First aid for high temperature consists of physical activities and medication.
The use of non-drug methods is quite effective, and can in no way worsen the patient's condition, in contrast to drugs that have a wide range of side effects. This is why physical action to lower the temperature is so important. This is especially true for children with their imperfect thermoregulation and very dependent on external conditions.
In most cases, a feverish child is lethargic, capricious. Its skin is pink, moist, hot to the touch. Tachycardia corresponding to temperature indicators is noted. However, in rare cases, more often in premature babies, there is a condition characterized by a sharp blanching of the skin, up to cyanosis. At the same time, the child is sharply apathetic or agitated.
Convulsions may occur. Despite the high fever, his hands and feet feel cold when touched. In this regard, first aid at a high temperature in a child may differ.
With pink hyperthermia in a child, the following measures are necessary:
- The temperature regime in the bedroom should be 19-20 degrees;
- Additional wrapping of the child is not required;
- It is necessary to free him from disposable diapers that impede heat transfer;
- Shows rubbing the skin with cool water;
- Clothing should consist of cotton pajamas that absorb sweat most effectively.
In addition to performing these physical measures aimed at lowering body temperature, first aid at temperatures reaching 39-40 degrees includes the use of antipyretics prescribed by a doctor in dosages appropriate for age. In children, these are paracetamol, ibuprofen and their derivatives. Use these medicines can be in any form convenient in this case: tablets, syrup, rectal suppositories.
In cases where the condition remains stable for three days, it is necessary to consult a doctor to clarify the diagnosis.
Preservation of high temperature indicators for five days is a reason for the delivery of tests and the need for additional examinations.
Urgent measures for white hyperthermia
The high temperature caused by the development of white hyperthermia requires slightly different approaches. First aid for hyperthermia in this case looks like this:
- It is necessary to warm your hands and feet using a heating pad, mittens, socks or rubbing them with a soft napkin until they get warm;
- Drinking plenty of fluids is also essential. In addition to lowering the temperature, it promotes the active elimination of pathogens.
With regard to the use of antipyretics, they must also be used, even at lower temperatures. These preparations can also be in any convenient form. Since the vascular component is involved in the development of white hyperthermia, which provides spasm of peripheral vessels, it is also necessary to take antispasmodics, such as papaverine, nikoshpan.
The action of these drugs begins in 20 minutes, reaching maximum concentrations in the blood within 40-60 minutes. If after this time the child's condition has not improved, the temperature indicators have remained at the same level, then it is necessary to seek help from an ambulance specialist.
The arrived team, most likely, will carry out intramuscular injection of a lytic mixture consisting of analgin, papaverine or no-shpa and the antihistamine Tavegil.
Features in adults
In adult patients, cases of white hyperthermia are very rare. They are usually caused by congenital vascular pathology. Therefore, all first aid points at a child's temperature apply to the adult population.
The only difference is the broader list of offered antipyretic drugs. Age-restricted aspirin is very effective and can be used more widely in adults.
However, taking it also involves taking precautions. This drug can have an ulcerogenic effect, that is, cause the development of gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. In addition, influencing the coagulation properties of blood, uncontrolled use of the drug can lead to the development of bleeding.
So, in the case of an increase in body temperature to high numbers, first aid to the patient should be provided immediately. Since the development of hyperthermia can proceed in different ways, it is necessary to consult a doctor to choose the correct tactics.
In children, the correct dosage of the drugs used also plays an important role.
Why does the body temperature rise?
Probably no one will be surprised if they find out that the body temperature rises if the body is heated (in the sun, in a hot room). But besides this obvious reason for the rise in temperature, there is another one - the body's defensive reaction to infections and toxic substances.
Most often, the temperature rises when:
- acute respiratory viral infection (accompanied by snot, cough, sore throat)
- intestinal infection (accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
- poisoning with toxic substances
Under the influence of pathogens, the sympathetic nervous system (under the guidance of the hypothalamus) does 2 things:
1 - shrinks cutaneous blood vessels and reduces sweating. As a result, the body's heat transfer rapidly decreases. In this case, the skin turns pale, and the person feels chills. And the heat transfer is reduced.
2 - activates metabolism in all muscles. At the same time, heat production in the muscles increases.
As a result, the body temperature rises. Gradually, heat production and heat transfer balance each other, and no further increase in temperature occurs. At the same time, the skin vessels expand, the pallor goes away, and the skin becomes hot to the touch, and the tremors and chills disappear. Sweating increases. At the same time, a person experiences a feeling of heat.
Why does the temperature rise? Then, at elevated temperatures in the body, interferons and antibodies are synthesized, the ability of leukocytes to absorb and destroy foreign cells is stimulated, and the protective properties of the liver are activated.
However, when the temperature rises, not only leukocytes are activated, but all other cells of the body. This intense metabolism requires more oxygen. And although the heart and lungs also begin to work more intensively, at temperatures above 38 degrees, oxygen is not enough. This leads to the accumulation of metabolic products in the body. The work of the nerve centers of regulation located in the brain is disrupted, the heart, blood vessels, liver, kidneys and other organs suffer. In this way, elevated temperature from a protective reaction turns into a threat to the body.
First aid at high temperatures
When the temperature rises to 38 degrees, you do not need to knock it down. It is necessary to provide fresh air in the room (because the body needs more oxygen for an intensive metabolism) and give the patient plenty of water (because he loses a lot of fluid). It also helps to flush out the stomach and flush the infection out of the body. You can drink anything you want, but ideally - oral rehydration solution, which should be in the medicine cabinet.
When the temperature rises above 38 degrees, a person is given an antipyretic drug (paracetamol and analogues). Antipyretic drugs either inhibit the process of inflammation, or act directly on the center of thermoregulation in the hypothalamus (reduce the point of thermoregulation).
You need to call an ambulance if:
- the temperature above 39 degrees does not decrease 30 minutes after the use of an antipyretic drug
- fever combined with a rash, signs of dehydration, abdominal pain
Seeing a doctor is mandatory if the temperature does not disappear on the 4th day of illness.