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Low-grade fever occurs when the human body temperature is within the range of 37.1 ° C to 37.9 ° C. If the values obtained in the measurement are higher, it is called a fever. What are the most common causes of a low-grade fever? Does elevated body temperature require treatment?
Low-grade feverthat isincreased body temperatureis a sign of the body's mobilization to fight the disease, therefore temperatures below 38 ° C should not be reduced pharmacologically . The threshold for low-grade fever varies when measurements are taken in different parts of the body.
In Poland, the temperature is most often measured under the armpit - the correct result of measuring it here is 36.6 ° C, if it exceeds 37 ° C, we are dealing with a low-grade fever. It is different in the case of measuring the temperature in the mouth and rectum, where it is always higher. In these cases, we talk about low-grade fever when the measurements show, respectively: 37.5 ° C and 38 ° C.
Body temperature may fluctuate by as much as 1 ° C during the day - it is the lowest at night, when we are immersed in REM sleep, low in the morning, higher around noon, and the highest values are obtained in the evening. The temperature rises after exercise - and in women - after ovulation. It is also influenced by extreme air temperatures, a cold shower or a hot bath.
Low fever: causes
Low-grade fever is not a disease, but a symptom that accompanies many diseases - from banal viral infections, through hormonal disorders to cancer. The following summary may prove how various ailments are accompanied by low-grade fever:
- Rhinitis- low-grade fever usually lasts for a few days and may or may not become fever.
- Laryngitis- in the case of laryngitis, both viral and bacterial, low-grade fever rarely turns into a mild fever. It can last up to 10 days and is most common in children.
- Angina- Can be caused by bacteria or viruses. Low-grade fever occurs with viral infection - the symptoms are very similar to a cold, but there is also enlargement of the tonsils. If the angina is caused by bacteria, the body temperature usually hits the value right awayhigher than in the case of a low-grade fever.
- Hyperthyroidism- in this disease, low-grade fever does not occur for a few days, but remains constant. Patients have increased body temperature and feel hot.
- Bronchitis- initially low-grade fever appears, but then body temperature gradually rises. In addition, there is a sore throat, pain in joints and muscles, severe runny nose and cough, chest pain
- Brain tumor- low-grade fever appears suddenly and lasts for a long time. It is one of the symptoms of the early - irritating - phase of neoplastic disease, which does not cause impairment of brain function.
- Lymphomas- a low-grade fever is the first and most common symptom next to lymphadenopathy.
- Lyme disease- in the case of Lyme disease, low-grade fever does not occur incidentally, but it lasts for a long time.
- Overheating- as a result of staying in the sun for too long, too warm clothes, a low-grade fever may appear, which disappears immediately after changing clothes to lighter ones, moving to a less heated place , consumption of plenty of lukewarm fluids
Low fever - treatment
Low-grade fever does not require treatment - but it is important to monitor your temperature and react when it starts to rise. However, you can deal with it at home, for example by using a compress made of a wet towel on your forehead or by taking a bath in water, which is lower than your body temperature.
If the low-grade fever becomes fever, patients are advised to take medications containing paracetamol or ibuprofen, naproxen or acetylsalicylic acid. Although most of these medications are available over the counter, consult your doctor about how often you are taking them. In the youngest after 3 months of age, paracetamol can be used, less often ibuprofen is recommended, but acetylsalicylic acid is not administered due to the risk of Reye's syndrome.
It is necessary to see a doctor when low-grade fever is not associated with other symptoms of runny nose, laryngitis, tonsillitis or bronchitis and it is difficult to explain its cause. The doctor usually orders basic tests first: blood count with a smear, CRP determination, general urine test, and if necessary - diagnostics is extended.
Read also:
- Rush
- Fever in a child
- How to measure the temperature?
- Which thermometer to choose?
- Low body temperature
