An increase in body temperature is a constant symptom of sore throat in children. The presence of hyperthermia is due to the effect of pathogenic pathogens, staphylococcus streptococci. In 10% of cases, both infectious agents are involved in the development of the disease. These bacteria, getting on the mucous membrane of the oropharynx, have a local effect on the tonsils, leading to the development of inflammatory processes in them. In response to this, the cells responsible for immunity are activated, and various defense mechanisms are triggered.
One of these defensive reactions is an increase in body temperature. The production of pyrogens and the subsequent increase in temperature to 38-39 degrees contributes to the fastest possible death of pathogens. The presence of this symptom is a positive fact, indicating sufficient immunity of the patient and the launch of protective mechanisms aimed at combating pathogens.
Hyperthermia with various forms of angina
How long the temperature lasts for angina in children depends on several factors. First of all, the duration of the temperature in angina is influenced by the nature of the inflammatory process occurring in the tonsils, that is, the form of the disease. Angina can develop in the form of a catarrhal form, purulent and necrotic. Each of them is characterized by certain changes occurring in the tonsils. This nature of inflammation causes a different severity of the course and the degree of intoxication in each case.
Catarrhal sore throat is usually mild. With an objective examination of the pharynx, this form is characterized only by redness and swelling of the tonsils. Plaques and purulent foci are absent. Such morphological changes are accompanied by minor symptoms of intoxication. The general condition of the child is disturbed to a small extent. He can remain quite active. At the same time, an increase in temperature is noted within the subfebrile parameters.
Correct and timely use of antibiotics for catarrhal sore throat will normalize the temperature within two days.
Untimely or incorrect treatment can contribute to the transition of the disease to a purulent form and a longer course.
Depending on the involvement of various structures of the tonsils in the inflammatory process, purulent tonsillitis is divided into lacunar and follicular forms. Differing in morphological changes occurring in the tonsils, they have a similar course and clinical manifestations due to the formation of abscesses. Unlike the catarrhal form, purulent tonsillitis is characterized by a more severe course and pronounced symptoms of intoxication.
Patients become lethargic. They are worried about severe weakness and malaise. There is a severe sore throat. Purulent sore throat is accompanied by an increase in the child's body temperature up to 39 degrees. In severe cases, hyperthermia is characterized by higher numbers. This temperature can hold on average for 3-4 days. In the future, it subsides, accompanied by regression and other symptoms.
In cases where these periods are lengthened, it is necessary to exclude the development of complications. With absence 
appropriate treatment, there is a high risk of developing local complications of the disease, such as purulent lymphadenitis, paratonsillar abscess. These processes are characterized by a deterioration in the condition, a further increase in temperature to 40 degrees. In this case, the presence of hyperthermia will persist until surgical treatment.
Paratonsillar abscess is characterized by increased sore throat and difficulty speaking. For purulent lymphadenitis, a pronounced temperature reaction is also typical. At the same time, there is an increase in regional lymph nodes. The skin over them is hyperemic, edematous, hot to the touch. The presence of these symptoms is also a reason for consulting a surgeon.
Importance of immunity
The duration of the febrile period is also due to the patient's immunity. In cases where the child is weakened by concomitant severe diseases, frequent ARVI, has congenital malformations, the duration of the temperature period may be longer, even despite the antibiotic therapy.
However, in some cases, the child does not have a fever with angina. At the same time, other clinical symptoms such as signs of intoxication, inflammation of the tonsils, swollen lymph nodes are present in full. The reason why there is no increase in temperature in such patients must be sought in the presence of concomitant pathology.
Since hyperthermia occurs in response to the impact of pathogens and is aimed at combating them, the absence of a temperature reaction is associated with a decrease in immunity. The most common causes of this condition are
- oncopathology;
- HIV infection;
- viral hepatitis;
- diabetes;
- long-term use of antibiotics or corticosteroid drugs.
The absence of a temperature reaction in response to the action of a pathogenic pathogen does not contribute to an easier course of the disease. In such cases, the disease is less treatable, takes a protracted course.
Antibiotic therapy in the normal course of angina is usually prescribed for a period of 7 days.
In the absence of temperature, it should be carried out for a longer time. The criterion for canceling antibiotics in this case is not only the results of an objective examination, but also the data of laboratory studies.
Hyperthermia in other acute tonsillitis
Angina often has to be differentiated from other pathological conditions, accompanied by inflammation of the tonsils. Most often, these diseases are
- chronic tonsillitis in the acute stage;
- scarlet fever;
- diphtheria;
- Infectious mononucleosis.
In these cases, the occurrence of a temperature reaction, its nature and duration are due to other mechanisms. Chronic tonsillitis can be caused by a variety of pathogens that are activated by hypothermia and inhalation of contaminated air. In this regard, the disease usually proceeds with less pronounced symptoms of intoxication, but low-grade fever can persist for several weeks. An important role in exacerbation of chronic tonsillitis is played by the body's defense mechanisms, the state of the child's immune system.
A significant role in the exacerbation of chronic tonsillitis is played by the state of the environment, that is, the purity of the inhaled air. For a child with a tendency to frequent tonsillitis, spa treatment is an important factor in treatment. It contributes not only to a decrease in the frequency of the disease, but also to an easier course of it, a decrease in the duration of the temperature period.
Diphtheria is characterized by a pronounced temperature reaction. Its performance can reach 40 degrees. Even with a favorable course, the timely use of the appropriate toxoid, the duration of the period of elevated temperature is at least a week.
Infectious mononucleosis is caused by a viral pathogen. Despite the fact that the temperature rarely reaches high levels, it persists for several months, which is a constant symptom, and can be one of the factors contributing to the differential diagnosis.
Often, the cause of the development of a pathological process in the pharynx area is a viral pathogen.In the case of herpetic sore throat, an increase in temperature is noted until the tonsils and the throat cavity are cleared of characteristic rashes, and can persist for 10 days.
Thus, the degree of temperature increase and the duration of the temperature period with angina are influenced by the following factors:
- causative agent of the disease;
- the severity of the inflammatory process occurring in the tonsils;
- the presence of concomitant pathology;
- the child's immunity.
Since the development of streptococcal sore throat is due to the effect of a bacterial pathogen, therapeutic measures must necessarily include antibiotics. Timely and correct use of these drugs helps to normalize the situation in a shorter time. At the same time, the lack of adequate treatment can lead to the development of complications of angina, characterized by high numbers of hyperthermia and its long course.
