A subfebrile state is a slight increase in body temperature above normal. It is not a disease, but a symptom accompanying many diseases, disorders, and injuries, usually being evidence of the fact that the immune system has taken up the fight against a factor identified in the threat categories (various types of pathogens, presence of a foreign body in the body, injury, etc.).
In the direct mechanism of the development of a subfebrile state and fever, the key is the irritation of the thermoregulatory center in the brain, which occurs under the influence of various factors, collectively called pathogens, such as proteins of bacteria and viruses. Then the therm set point changes, which leads to expanded heat production in the body and prevents its loss. In terms of etiology, the most common causes of a subfebrile state are bacterial and viral infections such as whooping cough.
An increase in temperature means that the body is fighting the infection on its own, which is often the most effective and can shorten the duration of the infection. Pharmacological intervention to lower the temperature is recommended only after the temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius.
