How many days can a high temperature last with a sore throat? Usually - from 3 to 10 days. It is much more difficult to understand why, and most importantly, why body temperature rises with angina, and what caused such a wide range of its possible duration. Why does one person with a sore throat normalize the temperature on the third day of treatment, and at the same time, all the symptoms go away, and for another, a week is not enough for recovery?
This article is intended to answer all questions related to an increase in body temperature with angina. We will tell you what determines the degree of increase in thermometry indicators, on what day the temperature drops, and why it does not always need to be brought down. We will also discuss the problem of the rational use of antipyretic drugs.
Briefly about the pathogenesis of tonsillitis
Angina, or acute tonsillitis, is an infectious disease that affects the lymphoid tissue of the tonsils. The tonsils are located at the border of the mouth and pharynx; together with other nearby lymphoid formations, they form the lymphadenoid pharyngeal ring - an organ that has immune and hematopoietic functions.
The tonsils are constantly attacked by microorganisms in food, drink and inhaled air. Fortunately, this does not always end with an infection - in most cases, microorganisms are safely destroyed. But if the body's resistance is low (for example, if a person is hypothermic), microorganisms can gain a foothold and cause an infection. Tonsils can suffer from viral infections (in particular from ARVI), as well as from bacterial, primarily streptococcal infection.
It is known that the type of causative agent of the disease affects the severity of symptoms and the nature of the course of sore throat, however, it is very difficult to distinguish bacterial sore throat from viral only by external signs.
Indeed, the symptoms of angina of any etiology are similar, and include manifestations such as:
- sharp sore throat, worse when swallowing;
- loose white or mucopurulent plaque on the surface of the tonsils;
- redness of the pharynx, soft palate, tonsils;
- enlargement and soreness of the lymph nodes located under the lower jaw;
- high body temperature (above 38 C).
Reasons for the rise in temperature
Fever, i.e. an increase in body temperature is one of the most typical symptoms of sore throat. It is caused by acute inflammation in the tonsils.
Inflammation is a protective and adaptive reaction that can acquire a pathological character.
The purpose of inflammation is to attract large numbers of white blood cells and kill potential pathogens. So, with inflammation of the tonsils, leukocytes absorb and digest bacteria, viruses, as well as the cells of their own body damaged by them. An increase in local and general temperature is one of the mandatory stages of the inflammatory response. The local temperature rises due to the expansion of blood vessels and acceleration of blood circulation, and the general temperature is due to pyrogens.
Pyrogens are substances that affect thermoregulatory centers in the brain; they shift the "norm" of temperature up, without disrupting the basic mechanisms of thermoregulation. The role of pyrogens is played by some substances secreted by bacteria, as well as human leukocytes.
How long does the temperature last with angina? It all depends on how the infection develops.
If the number of pathogens in the focus of inflammation does not decrease, the body temperature will constantly increase, which can be fatal.
If the drug has destroyed a significant part of the infectious agents, the inflammation will gradually decrease, and the thermometry indicators will return to normal.
Positive and negative effects of fever
What is the point of increasing body temperature during inflammation? It turns out that this reaction has an adaptive character. The positive effects of fever with angina:
- acceleration of metabolism;
- increased phagocytic activity (the ability of leukocytes to absorb pathogens);
- activation of the antitoxic function of the liver;
- reduced bacterial resistance to antibiotics;
- suppression of the processes of reproduction of viruses.
Thus, do not rush to take an antipyretic as soon as you see 37C on the thermometer. Studies have shown that artificial removal of fever aggravates the course of infectious diseases. However, this is true only if the body temperature corresponds to subfebrile (37-38 C) or febrile (38-39 C) indicators.
When the temperature rises to values above 39 C, fever has a destructive effect on the body.
The negative effect of high temperature:
- deterioration of health - fatigue, headache, decreased concentration, nausea;
- in case of hypersensitivity to high temperatures, the patient may experience loss of consciousness and convulsions;
- in infants with fever, malignant hyperthermia syndrome may occur;
- when the body temperature rises by 2 degrees (about 38.6 C), the heart rate increases by 15-20 beats per minute, which can cause heart failure in people with a weak heart;
- fever disrupts water-salt metabolism, which threatens dehydration.
Fever plays a protective role as part of the inflammatory response. At the same time, an uncontrolled rise in temperature leads to severe physiological disorders.
The duration of the fever depends on the causative agent of the disease
Acute tonsillitis caused by a viral infection, in most cases, is easier than bacterial. Viral tonsillitis begins with a sharp increase in temperature, but it returns to normal already on the 3-4th day of illness, even if the patient does not take antiviral drugs (provided that there are no complications). In children, subfebrile condition may persist for several more days (temperature is about 37 C).
Angina caused by streptococcus can cause an increase in thermometry indicators up to 39 C or more. At the same time, the temperature can rise very quickly, reaching life-threatening values - it is necessary to control it, and, if necessary, bring it down.
How long does the temperature last for streptococcal sore throat in adults? Normally - no more than a week. Subject to the correct selection of the antibiotic, the body temperature is normalized already for 2-3 days of treatment.
If the body temperature does not drop within three days of taking the antibiotic, you should consult with a specialist about the advisability of continuing treatment with this drug.
The lack of antipyretic effect when taking antibiotics indicates that the infection has not been eradicated. Bacteria continue to damage the cells of the tonsils, accumulate in the lacunae of the tonsils, and spread to nearby organs. This can lead to a number of complications. Firstly, tonsillitis can provoke inflammation of the mucous membrane around the tonsils - paratonsillitis. This condition is difficult to treat and causes severe discomfort in the patient. Secondly, streptococcal sore throat threatens complications in the heart, kidneys and joints. This condition is called rheumatism. It is based on an autoimmune reaction - the destruction by immune cells of their own connective tissue due to its structural similarity with streptococcus proteins.
An increase in body temperature after a sore throat may indicate the development of complications. It is recommended to pass a general clinical analysis of blood and urine - this will make it possible to judge the presence of inflammation and its causes.
We treat fever with angina correctly
Usually, when talking about the treatment of fever, antipyretic drugs are mentioned first. However, it must be understood that a decrease in body temperature does not affect the cause of the disease - infection. You should not take antipyretics "on schedule" - this does not make it possible to assess the effectiveness of the antibiotic against infection.
The constant use of antipyretics creates a false impression of improvement in the patient's condition, while the disease progresses.
Remember that taking an effective antibacterial drug leads to the normalization of thermometry indicators as early as 2-3 days of treatment. That is why most doctors do not recommend taking antibiotics and antipyretic drugs in parallel.
The basis for the treatment of angina of viral origin is local antiseptics - rinsing, throat irrigation with sprays, resorption of lozenges. Such treatment is aimed at improving the patient's well-being and preventing complications, primarily secondary infection of the tonsils with bacteria.
Therapy for bacterial tonsillitis necessarily includes taking antibiotics. Compliance with the prescribed course of antibiotic therapy allows you to quickly destroy the infection, improve well-being, and reduce the likelihood of recurrence of the disease and the development of complications.
Please note that the normalization of body temperature against the background of antibiotic therapy does not mean complete recovery. Do not stop taking the antibiotic before the end of the prescribed course of treatment.
Antipyretics are taken only when necessary:
- adults - upon reaching 39 C;
- children - when the temperature rises to 38.5C;
- infants - with rates exceeding 38 C;
- persons suffering from diseases of the nervous or cardiovascular system - at 38.5 C and above.
Talk to your doctor about when to take antipyretics, which antipyretic to use, and how to calculate the dosage.
Thus, fever with angina is a protective reaction, which is normally observed within 3-5 days. It is possible to lower body temperature with the help of antipyretic drugs, but their use is justified when reaching 38.5-39C. Correctly selected treatment of angina allows you to normalize body temperature within 2-3 days without resorting to taking antipyretics.
