Body Temperature 37-37.5 - What To Do? What Are The Reasons?

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 17:49

Body temperature 37-37.5 - what to do?

A body temperature of 37-37.5 ° C is called a subfebrile temperature. Such marks on the thermometer can be observed quite often. Sometimes low-grade body temperature indicates a rather serious illness, and sometimes it is simply the result of an error in the measurement.

If the temperature of 37 ° C persists for a long period of time, it is necessary to seek the advice of a specialist. Only a doctor can determine whether such an increase in temperature is a variant of the norm or indicates the presence of any pathology.

Content:

• How to measure body temperature correctly?
• If a temperature of 37 is the norm?
• Causes of a pathological increase in body temperature
• Diagnostics at 37-37.5 ° C
• What to do if the temperature rises to 37-37.5 ° C?
• Preventive actions

How to measure body temperature correctly?

In humans, body temperature cannot always remain at the same mark. During the day and night, it can go up and down, which is quite normal. At the same time, the person will not experience any signs of illness. The prolonged rise in temperature to 37 ° C should be a cause for concern.

The following options for human body temperature are possible:

• A mark on a thermometer below 35.5 ° C is a low body temperature.
• The mark on the thermometer ranges from 35.5-37 ° C - normal body temperature.
• The mark on the thermometer is 37.1-38 ° C (subfebrile condition) or more than 38 ° C - increased body temperature.

Some doctors tend to believe that a body temperature in the range of 37-37.5 ° C is a variant of the norm. They consider indicators on a thermometer from 37.5 to 38 ° C as subfebrile body temperature.

Some facts about body temperature that everyone should know:

• Statistics indicate that for most people, a body temperature of 37 ° C is the norm. Although it is generally accepted that a temperature of 36.6 ° C is normal.
• In one person, during the day, the body temperature can fluctuate within 0.5 ° C or more, which is also a variant of the norm.
• In the morning, the body temperature is always lower, and in the evening it can rise to 37 ° C.
• During sleep, the body temperature can drop to 36 ° C. The lowest rate is observed between 4 and 6 am. If the body temperature is 37 ° C in the morning, this may indicate a disease.
• Starting from 4 pm, a person's body temperature may rise. For some people, a temperature of 37.5 in the evening is a variant of the norm.
• In older people, body temperature is usually lower, and its daily jumps are not so pronounced.

The age of a person is of no small importance in determining the norm and pathology at different body temperatures. So, a temperature of 37 ° C in the evening for children is normal. The same data for the elderly is a pathology.

Body temperature can be measured at the following locations:

• Most often, people measure their body temperature in the armpit. While this is the most common method for determining body temperature, it is also the least informative. The data obtained can be influenced by air temperature and humidity, as well as other factors. In some cases, during the process of measuring body temperature, its reflex jump is observed. This may be due to the excitement of the person. If body temperature is measured in the mouth or in the rectum, the error in the indicators will be minimal.
• If the body temperature is measured in the oral cavity, then you should be prepared for the fact that its values will be 0.5 ° C higher compared to the armpit.

• With the rectal method of measuring body temperature, the indicators will be 1 degree higher compared to the body temperature in the armpit and 0.5 degrees higher compared to the oral cavity.

It is possible to measure body temperature in the ear canal, and the data obtained will be as accurate as possible. However, to take measurements, a special device is required, therefore, at home, body temperature in the ear is not measured.

If body temperature is measured in the anus or mouth, then mercury thermometers should be abandoned. For this purpose, only an electronic thermometer is suitable. It is convenient to use a special dummy thermometer when measuring body temperature in babies.

Body temperature 37.1-37.5 ° C may be the result of an error in measurements, or indicate some kind of pathology. Only a doctor can determine this.

If a temperature of 37 is the norm?

Seeing a temperature of 37-37.5 ° C on a thermometer, do not panic. It is possible that such indicators are measurement errors.

To minimize the chance of error, the following rules must be followed when measuring body temperature:

• From the moment of physical activity of a person, at least half an hour should pass. The state should be relaxed and calm. Often, in children after active and outdoor games, the body temperature rises to 37-37.5 ° C.
• The child's body temperature may rise after crying or screaming.
• It is best to take measurements at the same time. It should be remembered that the body temperature is lower in the morning and higher in the evening.
• The armpit must be absolutely dry during body temperature measurement.
• You should not measure body temperature in the mouth if a person has just eaten or drank hot drinks, if he has shortness of breath or difficulty in nasal breathing, if he has just smoked.
• Rectal thermometry readings can be increased by 1-2 degrees after taking a hot bath or after physical activity.
• The thermometer may display a temperature of 37 ° C if a person has recently eaten, played sports or received other physical activity, was stressed, tired or is in a state of excitement. An increase in indicators is possible after a long stay in the sun, while in a closed stuffy room, where there is high humidity. Affects the indicators of body temperature dry air and increased ambient temperature.

It is possible that the temperature of 37 ° C is the result of incorrect operation of the measuring device, which is very important for electronic thermometers, which often give a significant error. If the device has high readings, one of the family members should measure the body temperature, it is possible that it will also be higher than the usual values. It's good if the house has a mercury thermometer. However, it is not always possible to measure body temperature with a mercury device, for example, when it comes to a small child.

To minimize the risk of error, you need to measure the body temperature of an adult, first with a mercury device, and then with an electronic one. Then the indicators should be checked.

A body temperature of 37 ° C may be a normal option under the following conditions:

• It is possible that the temperature rises to 37 ° C against the background of physical activity, after suffering an emotional shock, with chronic fatigue.
• Fluctuations in body temperature in women occur depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle. An increase in temperature is observed after ovulation (17-25 days of the cycle). In this case, the basal temperature can be above 37.3 ° C.
• Menopause can also affect body temperature readings. So, the mark on the thermometer will rise during the so-called "tides".
• For infants (up to a month), a temperature of 37-37.5 is normal, since the processes of thermoregulation at this age are not yet perfect. Most often, this body temperature is observed in children born prematurely.
• For pregnant women, a temperature of 37.2-37.5 is also normal. Most often, such an increase is observed in the early stages of bearing a child, although it can persist until the very birth of the baby.
• During lactation, a temperature of 37 ° C is normal. Most often, such indicators are observed during the flow of milk. However, a woman should carefully monitor her condition. If the body temperature rises to febrile levels and this process is accompanied by chest pains, then this may indicate the development of mastitis. In such a situation, medical attention is needed.

Although all of these conditions do not pose a threat to human life and health, a specialist consultation about an increase in body temperature of 37 ° C will not be superfluous.

Causes of a pathological increase in body temperature

A temperature of 37-37.5 ° C may indicate a pathological process in the body.

A similar increase in body temperature is characteristic of the following diseases:

• The presence of an infection in the body: ARVI, tuberculosis, intestinal infections, inflammation of the kidneys, bladder, etc.
• Non-communicable diseases, including: stomach ulcer, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroiditis, lupus erythematosus, etc.
• Infection of the body with parasites: helminthiases, toxoplasmosis, amebiasis, etc.
• Allergic reactions.
• Pathologies requiring surgical intervention. An increase in body temperature after surgery is possible.
• Oncological diseases, diseases on the background of immunodeficiency.
• Diseases of the cardiovascular and nervous system, chronic diseases of the respiratory system and skin.
• Other states of the body. So, the body temperature can rise during teething in children, or be a post-vaccination reaction of the body.

Body temperature 37-37.5 ° C can accompany the following infectious processes in the body:

• Respiratory system diseases. Most often these are acute respiratory viral infections. If the disease is mild, the body temperature will stay in the range of 37-37.5 ° C. In parallel, a person develops rhinitis and cough, possibly an increase in lymph nodes, the appearance of pain in the lower back and throughout the body. It is possible that a temperature of 37 ° C indicates chronic bronchitis or inflammation of the maxillary sinuses. Subfebrile condition is often observed with pneumonia (pneumonia), especially if the causative agent of the disease is mycoplasma or chlamydia. Against the background of tuberculosis, an elevated body temperature may persist for many years, and until a certain point in time, other symptoms of the disease will be absent.
• Diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract. A temperature of 37 ° C very often accompanies cystitis, but the patient will experience other signs of bladder inflammation. Against the background of pyelonephritis, which arose for the first time, the increase in temperature is more significant. However, a body temperature of 37 ° C can accompany an exacerbation of chronic pyelonephritis.
• Diseases of the digestive system of an infectious nature. It is possible that a person develops gastritis, a stomach or intestinal ulcer. In this case, abdominal pain will be observed. If the body temperature rises to 37-37.5 ° C, and in parallel a person develops diarrhea and vomiting, then most likely he has an intestinal infection or hepatitis.
• Diseases of the genital area. In women, the temperature may rise to subfebrile levels against the background of vulvovaginitis or other inflammation of the genital organs. Abortion and curettage can cause a temperature jump of 37 ° C or more. Similar indicators are observed with exacerbation of prostatitis in men.
• Diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Inflammation of the heart muscle of an infectious nature may be accompanied by an increase in body temperature. In parallel, the patient will experience shortness of breath, edema and cardiac arrhythmias will appear.
• The presence in the body of a focus of chronic infection. A temperature of 37.2 degrees may indicate tonsillitis, adenoiditis, prostatitis, or another pathology of a chronic nature. As a rule, after eliminating the focus of inflammation, the body temperature returns to normal.
• Diseases of children. Chickenpox is characterized by the appearance of a rash and an increase in body temperature to 37 ° C and above. Similar symptoms accompany measles and rubella. As a rule, the rash gives the child discomfort and is accompanied by itching. Sometimes a body temperature of 37 ° C or higher can indicate very serious diseases, including: blood poisoning (sepsis), inflammation of the lining of the brain (meningitis). Therefore, a doctor's consultation is necessary.

Sometimes after an infection, a temperature of 37 ° C persists for a long time. Doctors call this condition the "temperature tail". A similar situation can be observed for several weeks or even months. In this case, there is no need for any specific treatment. The temperature tail will pass on its own after a while.

However, in a situation where a person has a runny nose and cough against a background of 37 ° C, you should consult a doctor. Most likely, the disease was not completely treated and its relapse happened. Or a new infection has entered the body.

A temperature of 37 ° C and above may indicate helminthiasis in a child. Most often, children suffer from pinworms and ascaris. In parallel, there are symptoms such as: abdominal pain, alternation of diarrhea and constipation, allergic reactions.

Other reasons for the increase in body temperature in a child:

• Post-vaccination reaction;
• Overheating of the body;
• Teething.

The appearance of teeth is very often accompanied by a body temperature of 37-37.5 ° C. In this case, taking any medications is not required, you just need to monitor the child's condition. As a rule, the body temperature does not rise during teething above 38.5 ° C.

Temperatures of 37 ° C and higher may rise after vaccination. If there is an impressive leap, then you can give the child an antipyretic drug. Young children are more susceptible to overheating than adults, so a temperature of 37 ° C can occur when the baby is wrapped too much. Moreover, such an increase in body temperature can be very dangerous and lead to heatstroke. In such a situation, it is important to cool the child as quickly as possible by removing his clothes.

Inflammatory processes of a non-infectious nature can also lead to an increase in body temperature. Moreover, almost all diseases are accompanied by other symptoms. So, if a person has a temperature of 37 ° C and diarrhea with blood, then this most likely indicates the development of Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. A disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus is accompanied by a body temperature of 37 ° C, which manifests itself several months before the first symptoms of the disease appear.

Some allergic reactions in the body can be accompanied by an increase in body temperature, such as hives and atopic dermatitis. In bronchial asthma, a body temperature of 37 ° C is combined with shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.

It is possible that a temperature of 37 ° C indicates diseases of the following systems:

1. Damage to the cardiovascular system:

   • Vegetative dystonia. In this case, the body temperature rises to 37 ° C and above, and the patient also develops headaches, and blood pressure rises.
   • Essential hypertension, hypertensive crisis.
2. Damage to the respiratory system, namely, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
3. Damage to the digestive system. A temperature of 37 ° C can accompany pancreatitis, gastritis, hepatitis of a non-infectious nature, esophagitis, etc.

4. Damage to the nervous system:

   • Hemorrhages, tumors of the brain and spinal cord, trauma.
   • In young women with dystonia, a temperature of 37 ° C indicates a thermoneurosis.
5. Kidney disease. Urolithiasis, glomerulonephritis, nephropathies of a dismetabolic nature can be accompanied by a temperature of 37 ° C.
6. Endocrine system damage, namely Addison's disease and hyperthyroidism.

7. Diseases of the immune system, blood diseases:

   • Iron deficiency anemia and other blood pathologies.
   • Oncological diseases, diseases on the background of immunodeficiency.
8. Damage to the reproductive system. A temperature of 37 ° C can accompany conditions such as: uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, etc.

Cancer is characterized by a temperature of 37-37.5 ° C, which persists for a long time. In parallel, the patient begins to lose weight, his appetite suffers, and weakness increases. Depending on where the tumor is located, functional disorders of certain organs will be observed.

After surgery, the temperature of 37-37.5 ° C is normal. It can persist for a long time, depending on the severity of the operation and on the individual characteristics of the human body. Sometimes an increase in body temperature to subfebrile values is observed after laparoscopy or after other diagnostic procedures.

Diagnostics at 37-37.5 ° C

Prolonged maintenance of a temperature of 37-37.5 ° C is a reason for contacting a doctor. First you need to go to an appointment with a therapist, if we are talking about an adult, or a pediatrician, if we are talking about a child. Pregnant and lactating women should definitely visit a gynecologist.

A temperature of 37-37.5 ° C is the reason for passing the following examinations:

• Donation of blood for general and biochemical analysis.
• Delivery of urine for general analysis.
• Ultrasound of the abdominal organs, pelvic organs.
• Performing ECG and ultrasound of the heart.
• It is possible to conduct a blood test for tumor markers, for antibodies, for hormones, etc.

These studies are classic, if such a need arises, the patient is referred for CT or MRI, CSF puncture, etc. The doctor must pay attention to other symptoms accompanying an increase in body temperature.

As necessary, the therapist refers the patient to a specialist consultation.

What to do if the temperature rises to 37-37.5 ° C?

Do not take antipyretic drugs at 37-37.5 ° C. They are used only to lower the temperature to 38.5 ° C or more. Although there are exceptions to this rule. So, it is necessary to lower the temperature of 37.5 ° C in women in the third trimester of pregnancy. Antipyretic drugs should be given to children who have previously had febrile seizures. Indications for a decrease in temperature of 37.5 ° C are pathologies of the lungs, heart and nervous system, which are capable of progressing even with such a slight increase in the marks on the thermometer.

It should be understood that the use of antipyretic drugs can lead to difficulties in diagnosing diseases, as well as the development of side effects.

In any situation, you need to pay attention to the following points:

• Eliminate the likelihood of errors during measurement of body temperature.
• Measure body temperature with 2 thermometers.
• Consider if 37 ° C is normal. For example, if a woman is carrying a baby and is in the early stages of pregnancy, but at the same time her body temperature rises and there are no signs of illness, then most likely this is normal.

As a rule, when a disease becomes the cause of an increase in body temperature, then after its elimination, the values return to normal.

You should immediately call a doctor in the following situations:

• Body temperature exceeds 38 ° C.
• In addition to a temperature of 37 ° C, symptoms such as: chest pains, diarrhea and vomiting, urinary disorders, severe cough, etc.

You should also consult a specialist if there is any suspicion of a health problem.

Preventive actions

In the case when the doctor did not find any diseases and considered that the temperature of 37 ° C is a variant of the norm, you should not let everything go by itself. A prolonged increase in body temperature to subfebrile levels is always stress for the body.

Therefore, you can use the following recommendations:

• Get rid of chronic foci of infection in time.
• Avoid stressful situations as much as possible.
• Quit smoking and alcohol abuse.
• Take enough time to rest at night, follow the daily routine.
• Go in for sports, temper.
• Walk more.

The stronger the immunity of a person, the more perfect his thermoregulation processes become. As a rule, following these simple recommendations allows you to bring your body temperature back to normal.

Author of the article: Alekseeva Maria Yurievna | Therapist

Education: From 2010 to 2016 Practitioner of the therapeutic hospital of the central medical-sanitary unit No. 21, city of elektrostal. Since 2016 she has been working in the diagnostic center No. 3.