If a temperature of 38 ° is determined and a sore throat in an adult or a child, then we are talking about a cold. That’s what the people call these diseases. Doctors divide pathologies into viral, bacterial, allergic, fungal and so on. In each case, individual treatment is selected that will not help in another situation. Today's article will tell you about the reasons why the temperature rises (38 °) and a sore throat. What to do in each situation will be described later. Get your attention to the fact that the information provided does not urge you to self-medicate. With fever and discomfort in the larynx, you must definitely see a doctor.
Temperature values
In a healthy person, body temperature ranges from 35.9 to 36.9 degrees. At the same time, people do not feel any ailments or unpleasant symptoms. Such values are called normal. If for some reason the level of the thermometer rises, and you observe values from 37 ° to 38 °, then we can talk about subfebrile temperature. It often occurs with respiratory diseases and bacterial pathologies.
The next temperature level is febrile temperature. Its values are in the range of 38-39 degrees. For some patients, this condition can be dangerous. Therefore, it is at febrile temperature that antipyretics are most often used. If the level of the thermometer shows from 39 to 41 degrees, then this is a pyrethic temperature. It is dangerous and requires immediate intervention. With these values, it is advisable to obtain antipyretic compositions in the form of injections. Hyperpyretic temperature (more than 41 degrees) is rarely diagnosed. She requires an immediate emergency call.
38 ° C and sore throat
What to do in such a situation? Do I need to see a doctor or can I self-medicate? It all depends on the condition of the patient and additional clinical manifestations. Call an ambulance immediately in the following cases:
- your throat hurts so badly that you cannot swallow saliva and it flows from your mouth;
- when breathing, a whistling sound is made, and a cough is more like a dog barking;
- malaise occurs in a child who is not yet six months old.
In other situations, it is enough to consult a doctor. It is imperative to seek specialist help if:
- the temperature does not get off with conventional antipyretic drugs;
- coughing started;
- fever lasts more than three days in a row;
- the thermometer is reduced by less than 2-4 hours;
- white plaque or gray dots are visible in the throat;
- lymph nodes are enlarged (in the occipital region, on the neck, under the jaw or in the armpits).
As you already know, there are several reasons why a person has a temperature of 38 ° C and a sore throat. What to do and why this happens, we consider in more detail.
Viral infection
Respiratory disease most often causes a fever of 38 ° and a sore throat. How to treat this ailment? Doctors usually designate viral pathologies with the abbreviation ARI, ARI or ARVI. This means that a virus has settled in your body. It affects the place of its penetration: nasal passages, tonsils, larynx. Less commonly, the disease passes to the lower respiratory tract. An acute viral infection is characterized by a sharp onset of the disease: the temperature rises, general malaise appears, eyes and head hurt. Often a person's appetite is impaired, drowsiness and weakness appear.
It is not advisable to treat such a disease with antibiotics. It is necessary to use antiviral drugs. A great many such medicines are now being produced. Among them you can choose:
- tablets "Anaferon", "Cycloferon", "Isoprinosine";
- suppositories "Genferon", "Viferon", "Kipferon";
- nasal drops "Derinat", "Grippferon", "IRS-19".
In more difficult situations, such compounds as Tamiflu or Relenza are prescribed. They are sold only by prescription, unlike their predecessors. Antiviral drugs are effective for laryngitis, pharyngitis, nasopharyngitis, tonsillitis virus, infectious mononucleosis and other diseases. Note that with all of the above pathologies, there is hyperemia of the throat and high fever.
What situations do antibiotics need?
If you find that the temperature is 38 ° and the child has a sore throat, then you must definitely show the child to the pediatrician. Remember that self-medication for children can be quite dangerous. Often, parents try to immediately give the baby an antibiotic, wanting to help in this way. But such drugs are necessary only for bacterial infections. Confirm her presence can only be a doctor based on clinical data and laboratory tests. Bacterial infections can be tonsillitis, pharyngitis, meningitis and so on. With the disease, the temperature always rises. She has high values. Often, a thermometer shows 38-39 degrees and above. The patient's condition worsens very quickly. If the right treatment is not started in time, then the bacteria infect neighboring areas: bronchi and lungs. This is fraught with complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
It is possible to determine which antibiotic is necessary in this case by passing the culture for sensitivity. Doctors take a swab from the throat and conduct a study. It is worth noting that often such a diagnosis takes valuable time. That is why doctors prefer not to wait for the results and prescribe drugs with a wide spectrum of action:
- penicillins ("Augmentin", "Flemoxin", "Amoxiclav");
- fluoroquinolones (Ciprofloxacin, Gatifloxacin);
- cephalosporins (Suprax, Cefatoxime);
- macrolides ("Azithromycin", "Sumamed") and so on.
It is worth noting that with angina of bacterial origin in recent years, Augmentin has been increasingly used. This drug has established itself as one of the most effective in the fight against such a disease.
Fungal infections
If the temperature rises (38 °) and an adult has a sore throat, what should I do? The cause of malaise can be a fungal infection. It is usually visible to the naked eye. Most qualified specialists will determine the presence of candidiasis without laboratory tests. Pathologies are manifested by the following clinical picture:
- temperature 38 ° and sore throat;
- with HB, thrush on the nipples may develop;
- there are bubbles in the mouth, cracks;
- the mucous membrane of the throat and tongue is covered with a white coating, which is removed with a spatula.
The treatment of such a disease involves the use of local and general antifungal agents. These are drugs such as Fluconazole, Nystatin, Miconazole. In severe cases, antibiotics are additionally used to inhibit the growth of pathogenic microflora. Such drugs must have a bacteriostatic effect.
Allergy and irritation
You suddenly found that the temperature is 38 and a sore throat: how to treat a malaise? In some cases, the cause of the pathology is external irritants. In this case, doctors can make a diagnosis: laryngitis. The disease often occurs in people who have to talk a lot: teachers, lecturers, broadcasters and so on. The cause of the temperature increase in this case is the irritated mucosa. The inflammatory process goes to the larynx and vocal cords. The disease manifests itself in a hoarse voice and a barking cough. To eliminate the ailment, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive treatment. The following drugs are prescribed:
- antihistamines (Suprastin, Zodak, Tavegil);
- anti-inflammatory ("Nurofen", "Nimesulide");
- local anesthetics, emollients, and other medicines (as indicated).
Do I need to lower the temperature? The benefits of fever and its harm
Doctors say: if the patient has a temperature of 38 ° and a sore throat, the causes of these symptoms must be eliminated. If you just take antipyretic drugs, then the disease may well acquire a chronic form or give complications. Doctors do not recommend using drugs from a temperature to a thermometer mark of 38.5 degrees. This is how pathogens die: viruses, bacteria and fungi. But in children of the first year of life and pregnant women, the temperature needs to be reduced after 37.6 degrees. If the patient has diseases of the nervous system or is prone to convulsions, then drugs with antipyretic effect are used at 38 ° degrees. These are such drugs: Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Analgin, Ibuklin. The medicine "Aspirin" should not be given to children under 15 years old, taken by pregnant and lactating women. The benefits of heat are as follows:
- harmful microorganisms and pathogens die;
- a persistent immune response occurs;
- interferon is produced that can protect the body from a viral infection;
- a person intuitively rests, allowing the body to throw all its strength into the fight against the pathogen.
The use of local drugs to make you feel better
In addition to the medicines described above and the use of antipyretic drugs, the patient can use medications that relieve pain in the larynx. These are such funds as Strepsils, Grammidin, Faringosept, Tantum Verde, Ingalipt and so on. Now on sale you can find a lot of natural medicines with the addition of various herbs. But be careful with this treatment: drugs can cause allergies. Expectant mothers and nursing women can take the drug "Lizobakt."
Compliance
If you have a temperature of 38 ° and a sore throat, what to do - the doctor will tell. But in each case, the patient is prescribed a special regimen. It includes complete peace. If possible, set aside all things and stay in bed. So the body will have more power to fight the disease.
Be sure to follow the drinking regime: you need to drink at least 2-3 liters of fluid per day. Drink water, tea, fruit drinks, compotes - everything you love. In the absence of appetite, do not force yourself to eat. The main thing is to drink.
Folk remedies for treatment
In addition to the main treatment that the specialist will prescribe, you can use proven grandmother's remedies:
- gargle with a decoction of eucalyptus, sage, chamomile;
- drink antibacterial cranberry juice;
- brew and consume ginger tea;
- warm milk and honey will help cope with an obsessive cough;
- treat your throat with antiseptics (for example, soda solution).
Finally
Do you have a fever of 38 ° and a sore throat? What is this symptom and what it reports - you need to find out from the doctor. It will not be superfluous to have an idea of how to treat diseases that cause such symptoms, but you do not need to carry out the therapy yourself. Remember the danger of complications. I wish you a speedy recovery!