Temperature 40 and strange dreams: an incomprehensible virus began to spread across Russia
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Moscow has confidently entered the peak of the ARVI season: according to doctors, in recent days the increase in the incidence of respiratory viral infections has reached 30%, and the streets and subways are again full of people sneezing and coughing. And although different viruses circulate (adenovirus, parainfluenza, rhinovirus, etc.), very often the disease goes away with a significant increase in body temperature. Pharmacies are talking about an increase in sales of antipyretics, which many patients resort to to relieve fever. However, doctors remind: it is not always necessary to bring down a high temperature. Experts told MK about in what cases to do this.
In chats, patients complain about a “strange virus” that occurs with a high body temperature. “My thermometer is almost 40, everything aches, I have strange dreams. I don’t remember the last time I felt so bad,” says Ilya from Moscow. “It didn’t all start out so bad – my nose started to feel sore, I began to feel a little chilly,” Zhanna from the Moscow region shares her story. “However, the next day I woke up on a wet sheet and could barely get out of bed. I measured the temperature – 39.9. And so for almost five days!”
“During the cold season, pharmacies always note an increase in demand for drugs with anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic effects. This is due not only to the increase in acute respiratory infections, but also to the exacerbation of chronic diseases that require the use of these drugs to combat pain and inflammation. Currently, pharmacies are experiencing a slight increase in demand for ibuprofen-containing drugs and paracetamol. Children’s forms of these drugs are especially often purchased. However, for colds, patients prefer first of all complex powders, such as Theraflu, and then tablets or capsules. Although the demand for them is increased during the season, it is not significant,” Victoria Lesnikova, commercial director of the Association of New Independent Pharmacies, told MK.
As Sergei Shulyak, CEO of the marketing agency DSM Group, says, 25 years ago the most popular antipyretics – analgin and citramon – were in the top sales: “But these old drugs are leaving, people are switching to more modern drugs.”
Director of the SRO Association of Independent Pharmacies, head of the Alliance of Pharmaceutical Associations Victoria Presnyakova reminds that lowering the temperature must be done correctly: “If the temperature does not exceed 38.5 degrees, the body produces its own interferon, so lowering the temperature is not recommended. When taking medications, the dosage must be strictly observed, and when using paracetamol, it is necessary not to exceed 4 grams per day for an adult patient. It is best to alternate drugs with different active ingredients, for example, first take paracetamol, and then ibuprofen, nimesulide. If cramps occur, it is helpful to take myotropic drugs such as no-spa, especially when the temperature is high and the hands and feet feel cold, to prevent the internal organs from overheating.”
Meanwhile, as St. Petersburg ambulance doctor Lev Averbakh notes, in case of ARVI-associated diseases, a rise in temperature is a benefit for the body, and in no case, unless there are contraindications, should it be reduced, especially if it is low: “A rise in temperature is “work” of the immune system. There is no need to disturb him. After all, viruses and microbes die immediately at high temperatures. If there is no fever, there is a virus that can harm the body; if there is a fever, the virus is quickly destroyed without having time to harm the body. Reducing the temperature below 38.5 is not recommended, with the exception of children under 3 months. The patient recovers faster if he has a high temperature “for a long time.” The higher and longer the temperature lasts, the fewer days you will be sick. And then you won’t be surprised that the disease does not go away for 2-3 weeks. And, of course, if you are sick, consult a doctor.”
Experts emphasize that, contrary to popular myth, high temperatures will not cause problems with the cardiovascular system. But antipyretic drugs can very well (this side effect is described in the instructions for many of them). It is no coincidence that the ARVI season is always accompanied by a slight increase in cardiovascular mortality. And yet, if you do not tolerate even a very high temperature, it is better to alleviate your suffering by taking an ibuprofen-based remedy.
If we talk about lowering the temperature in children, there are clinical recommendations on this matter that were developed by the country’s leading pediatricians. The modern view of the situation is this: if a child behaves actively during illness, the temperature does not need to be lowered. For example, if he plays with toys and agrees to drink, then you can wait. Even if he has 40, he still runs around the apartment. Of course, this rarely happens: with such high fever numbers, most often children do not feel very well. However, if the child has 37.7, but is lethargic, sad and lies like a rag, it is better to give an antipyretic.
In addition, to reduce fever in children, pediatricians recommend only two drugs: ibuprofen and paracetamol. Dosages are calculated by weight, and not by age criteria. Moreover, the more fluid the child drinks, the better the antipyretic works. Aspirin, analgin and no-spa are not recommended for children, as they are considered unsafe in pediatrics.
There are also so-called physical methods of cooling a sick child (for example, if the temperature is very high and the antipyretic does not work or its effect does not last long). You need to ventilate the room, undress the baby and wipe him with water at room temperature. Mothers love to wrap their children up, but this is not the case. It is recommended to use a sheet instead of a blanket.
Some pediatric doctors advise alternating different types of antipyretics, but, alas. There is no evidence that two drugs will work better than one. However, there is no evidence that steaming them will cause serious harm to the body.
Newspaper headline:
Hot. Winter. Sick
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