When can you give an antipyretic: tips, recommendations, warnings

Fever (fever) usually causes panic and  the desire to "knock down" her, especially when it comes to children. Let's see why the temperature is rising, is it scary, and when can you give antipyretics.

Fever — symptom of a viral disease. For example, influenza or SARS. This is a physiological mechanism that has a beneficial effect on the fight against infection. During this period, the body produces more immunoglobulins and interferons, which inhibit the reproduction of viruses. As early as 1666, the father of English medicine, Dr. Sydenham, wrote that "fever" & mdash; it is the engine of nature that she brings into the field to remove her enemy.

• Three grades and three periods of fever
• How to bring down the temperature with folk methods
• When can I give antipyretics for fever
• The most effective antipyretics: composition and  side effects

Three degrees and three periods of fever

When the temperature rises, three degrees are distinguished:

• 37.2 — 38 C — subfebrile;

• 38 — 39.1 C — febrile;

• 39.1 C and above — hyperthermic.

 Fever has three periods:

• Rapidly rising temperature. The patient feels weak, headache and chills. Vasospasm occurs, the skin becomes cool, but remains dry. May feel sick and appear vomiting.

• Achievement of peak performance.

  Feelings of heat, muscle pain and  headache. Sleep and appetite are disturbed. The skin becomes moist, hot, takes on a pink color.

• Normalization.

  The temperature drops quickly or gradually. In the first case, pressure drops, pulse weakens, dizziness, sweating increases. A smooth decrease in temperature does not cause stress in the body. Usually the sick person feels tired and falls asleep.

How to bring down the temperature with folk methods

Antipyretics — antipyretic drugs. They don't always need to be drunk to relieve a fever, because sometimes the side effects are too strong.

Subfebrile and febrile temperature can be treated without medication. To do this, you need to follow some rules:

• Bed rest.

  Limit physical activity in order to reduce body heat production.

• Do not cover yourself with a warm blanket and do not wear warm clothes.

Ventilate the room.
• In a cool room, the body cools faster.

Drink more warm:
• tea, water with jam or preserves, herbal decoctions. This way the body will not get dehydrated during high temperature.

Wipe with a damp cloth.
• Moisten it with room temperature water.

You can take a 10-minute bath.
• Water should be 35 — 36 C. It is necessary to sit in the water up to the belt, and rinse the upper body and face with water.
  All of this is effective when body temperature is below 38.5 C.

Procedures that are strictly prohibited:

Use alcoholic rubdowns and compresses. At first they cause a cool sensation, but then they cause a spasm of the blood vessels that are close to the skin. Such compresses will only raise the body temperature;

• Use ice. It can also constrict the blood vessels, which worsens the situation.

• Do not use antibiotics. They are only taken for bacterial infections. With viral infections, they are not  simply ineffective, but and contraindicated.

• When can I give antipyretics for fever

It is generally necessary to lower the temperature when it approaches  hyperthermia, but it is not necessary. It is necessary to monitor the condition of the patient. If he is vigorous enough, there are no headaches, joint or muscle pains, then it it is not necessary to give the medicine.

There are indications for drug reduction of subfebrile and febrile temperature:

cardiovascular disorders;

• respiratory tract diseases;

• the patient has cold hands and feet;

• temperature rise is accompanied by vomiting;

• febrile seizures in children;

• children up to three months of age;

• diseases of the nervous system;

• individual intolerance to elevated temperature.

Antipyretics have a vasodilating effect, so heat transfer becomes better, and the temperature drops for a while. Through 4 — 6 hours, the medication must be repeated.

All antipyretic drugs contain: ibuprofen, paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid or metamizole sodium.

Ibuprofen.

Acts fast enough for for 5 — 6 hours. Among the side effects most often appear gastrointestinal upset up to & nbsp; vomiting and & nbsp; diarrhea. You should only drink it after meals. The children's form of this drug — Nurofen.

Read also: 

Gastroenteritis: symptoms and treatment of the disease

Paracetamol.

Available in pediatric and adult dosages. Relieves from hyperthermic temperature, muscle and headaches. In case of an overdose, indigestion occurs and the activity of liver enzymes increases. When drinking alcohol, even in small doses, liver intoxication is possible.

Acetylsalicylic acid.

Not allowed for children under 12 years. It quickly reduces fever, relieves pain and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Side effects appear from the side of the hematopoiesis, respiratory, gastrointestinal tract.

Metamizole sodium.

Quickly relieves pain while lowering the temperature. Produced in ampoules and taken only by as directed by a physician. There is a high chance of getting an allergy or a hematopoietic disorder if you prescribe a medicine without consulting a doctor.

Read also: 

Types of allergic reactions: causes, detection methods

If you, your children or loved ones have a temperature that rises sharply, don't panic. You have to act according to the situation. First, try to bring it down with available means without the use of drugs. And only if the temperature does not drop and continues to rise, then antipyretics can be given. It is important to remember that during the period of using antipyretics, the high temperature can last 3 — 5 days. If it can normalise it is necessary to consult a doctor. It should exclude exacerbation of chronic diseases (adenoiditis, pyelonephritis), as well as bacterial complications of SARS (otitis media, pneumonia, sinusitis).

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