The temperature during poisoning rises quite often. However, sometimes intoxication disappears without this symptom. It depends on specific factors; not always increased thermometer values against the background of intoxication are cause for alarm and require the use of antipyretic drugs. Body temperature is an indicator of the thermal state of the body. Even in a healthy person, temperature indicators can fluctuate slightly during the day. Temperature fluctuations from 35.5 to 37 degrees are considered normal.
But why does the temperature during poisoning in an adult and a child still rise sometimes? Let's figure it out.
Fever development mechanism
Most often, intoxication is accompanied by such a thing as an increase in body temperature. If we are talking about food poisoning, then the toxins produced by harmful microorganisms become the cause of the heat. These are, as a rule, foreign protein substances, an increased amount of which leads to an increase in temperature during poisoning. Pathogens enter the intestines with poor-quality food.
Chemical poisoning
Poisoning with chemicals or natural poisons also leads in some cases to heat. In this case, the protective system of the body begins to fight the pathogens of intoxication. Against this background, disturbances occur in the operation of various systems, which subsequently leads to an increase in temperature.
Psychosomatics
Rarely, but nevertheless, a psychosomatic factor is possible in relation to heat against the background of poisoning. A person inspires himself that against the background of poor health, the temperature should increase during poisoning, which happens as a result.
Causes of heat poisoning
In adults and children, there are disturbances in the functioning of the body, which lead to the development of diseases, accompanied by an increase in temperature during poisoning. Such pathologies include:
1. Gastritis in acute form. With this pathology, inflammation of the gastric mucosa occurs. The inflammatory process is a response to the effect of toxins and various aggressive chemicals on the irritating organ. Gastritis is manifested by nausea and severe pain in the stomach. Sometimes vomiting occurs. The temperature rarely exceeds 37.5 degrees.
2. Infectious bowel diseases, such as salmonellosis, dysentery, etc. They are also accompanied by an inflammatory process, but this time in the intestine. Under the influence of pathogenic microorganisms, general intoxication occurs. They enter the body with poor-quality foods or dirt, for example, when eating unwashed fruits. Temperature indicators can reach 38 degrees. This is the normal response of the body to bacterial infection and means that human immunity works as it should.
3. Pancreatitis is an inflammatory process in the pancreas, which first responds to poisoning of the body. The acute form of the disease is manifested by severe herpes zoster in the abdomen. In addition, purple spots appear around the navel. Heat can reach 38.5-39.5 degrees. Pancreatitis treatment is possible only by surgical methods.
4. Dehydration is the result of profuse and prolonged diarrhea or vomiting. A drop in the level of fluid in the body to critical indicators indicates severe poisoning. Symptoms of dehydration can become severe weakness, retraction of the eyeballs, dry and sagging skin. In addition, there is a thickening of the blood, which leads to malfunctions in the cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems.
The temperature during poisoning in an adult and a child indicates serious intoxication. In this case, the causes that caused it, as well as the possible consequences, are dangerous.
Fever Complications
The appearance of complications due to high temperature depends on the duration of this phenomenon and on its severity. The main danger of fever is a systemic violation of the functioning of the whole organism, namely:
1. Heart and blood vessels: increased heart rate, spasm of blood vessels, increased blood pressure.
2. Respiratory organs: rapid inhalation and exhalation, their superficial nature.
3. Nervous system: a feeling of weakness, drowsiness, headaches, the development of seizures in children.
4. Digestion: decreased or loss of appetite, dry mouth, constipation.
5. Metabolism: the breakdown of fats, proteins and carbohydrates prevails over synthesis.
6. Hematopoiesis: the appearance of ketone bodies, which are an indicator of metabolic disorders.
7. Organs of the urinary system: against the background of a failure in the water-electrolyte balance, frequent urges to urinate occur. In the future, there is an accumulation of sodium and a decrease in urine production.
8. Vitamin deficiency occurs as a result of the destruction of nutrients.
Next, let's talk about what types there is a temperature after poisoning.
Varieties
Depending on the cause of intoxication, several types of temperature are distinguished:
1. Botulism is accompanied by a slight increase that persists in a mild, worn out or nonspecific course.
2. Subfebrile fluctuates around 37-38 degrees.
3. The temperature is considered moderate in case of poisoning at 38-39 degrees. Most common.
4. High - up to 40 degrees.
5. Hyperpyretic - reaching 41 degrees.
Hypothermia
If the temperature is below normal, this is called hypothermia. The thermometer in this state does not exceed 36 degrees. The causes of hypothermia can be the following conditions:
1. Alcohol poisoning.
2. Intoxication with chemicals, poisons, toxins.
3. Drug poisoning.
4. Vitamin C deficiency.
Hypothermia is accompanied by weakness, dizziness and drowsiness, as well as pallor and the emergence of cold sweat, numbness of the hands and feet, tremor of the fingers, etc.
But most often there is a fever with poisoning and vomiting with diarrhea.
Hyperthermia is a reaction of the body and its way of combating toxins. Moreover, an increase in indicators above 38 degrees indicates a poisoning of infectious genesis. Thus, the body tries to get rid of harmful microorganisms. With bacterial poisoning, the temperature can rise up to 40 degrees. This situation is possible in the following situations:
Intoxication of microbial origin.
Poisoning by natural and artificial poisons.
Raising the temperature to high levels is a contradictory phenomenon for the body. On the one hand, it plays an important role in the fight against infectious agents. However, along with this, such a condition is dangerous, especially in childhood.
If a person has poisoning, diarrhea, fever, vomiting, he needs immediate assistance.
Actions when the temperature rises
The main thing that you should not do when the temperature rises is to panic. Fever is a symptom, not an independent disease. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to find out the cause of the heat. If the factor that provoked the fever was poisoning, then, first of all, detoxification measures should be carried out, consisting in washing the stomach, taking enterosorbents, laxative and establishing a drinking regimen.
What to do with the temperature in case of poisoning is interesting to many.
Does it bring down the temperature?
The main question that arises for everyone is whether it is necessary to bring down the heat. If we are not talking about critical indicators, then you should not rush to lower the temperature. With hyperthermia, the body produces interferon, which has a detrimental effect on the causative agents of infection. Therefore, do not interfere with natural processes. The heat will subside on its own when eliminating the causes of poisoning.
In an adult or a child older than three years, with indicators below 38.5 degrees, it is not necessary to bring down the heat. If the temperature rises more, it is advisable to use antipyretic drugs. Children under three years of age need to bring down the temperature starting from indicators of 37.7 degrees, especially with a tendency to cramps.
Hospitalization may be required in the following cases:
1. Indicators above 38-39 degrees do not decrease for several days.
2. Convulsive syndrome.
3. The serious condition of the patient.
4. Persistent diarrhea and vomiting.
5. Drowsiness and shortness of breath.
6. Soreness in the stomach.
7. Oppressed consciousness.
In these cases, the patient requires treatment in an inpatient setting.
When the temperature is kept at high levels during poisoning, alternative recipes can help.
Traditional treatment
If a person feels satisfactorily at a temperature above 38.5 degrees, then it is not worth rushing to take antipyretic drugs. Various methods of traditional medicine can alleviate the condition. However, it should be remembered that all these methods reduce the temperature, and do not eliminate the cause of its occurrence. They should be only auxiliary means, and not the main therapeutic methods.
The following methods will help alleviate the patient’s condition and slightly reduce the temperature during food poisoning:
1. Cooling the body. Can be carried out by wrapping in wet tissue, rubbing the neck and temples with a piece of ice, compresses on the forehead, etc. To normal this way to bring down the temperature will not work.
2. Decoctions with the effect of reducing heat. They can be prepared from linden, willow bark, poplar buds, strawberry leaves, etc. All these herbs have antibacterial, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects.
3. Drink plenty of water. This is a universal remedy for reducing heat. You can drink a variety of teas, including chamomile and calendula. Dill water with honey also copes well with heat, however, it is not suitable for allergy sufferers.
In childhood, hyperthermia is worse tolerated, but most drugs are prohibited. Therefore, the panacea can be the methods of traditional medicine listed above. In doing so, remember the following rules:
1. You can not wrap a child.
2. It is necessary to put the child in bed naked, covering with a thin blanket or sheet.
3. Handles and legs must be warmed.
4. Provide the child with a plentiful drink.
5. Make an enema with water.
Drug treatment
Take antipyretic drugs should only be when the thermometer exceeds 38.5 degrees. It should be clearly understood that taking such medications only temporarily relieves fever and alleviates the patient's condition. First of all, treatment should be aimed at eliminating the cause of poisoning.
The most common substances for reducing heat are paracetamol and ibuprofen. Based on them, quite a lot of drugs are being made, including for children. Preparations based on acetylsalicylic acid and amidopyrine are contraindicated in childhood. In case of poisoning in childhood, you should opt for antipyretic drugs in the form of rectal suppositories.
A high temperature can persist in case of poisoning for several days or a week. However, there are cases of severe intoxication, when the fever does not subside to a month. It should be borne in mind that the heat will not subside until all toxic substances have been removed from the body.