Bronchitis is an infectious disease caused by an inflammatory process in the bronchi. The bronchi are the connecting part between the trachea and lungs in the human respiratory system, consisting of the two main bronchi associated with the trachea and their branches. Inflammation of these organs can be caused by toxic substances, dust or smoke entering the body of the virus, as well as hypothermia.
Bronchitis is divided into two forms - acute and chronic, and in any case, the disease is severe and with many unpleasant symptoms. Most of all, children under 12 years old, elderly people, patients with a tendency to diseases of the respiratory system, and also addicted to smoking are affected by inflammation. Most often, outbreaks of bronchitis in the population occur from late autumn to mid-winter, since it is during this period that the body's immunity is weakened, and the temperature outside decreases sharply. One of the most unpleasant symptoms of this disease is a fever. How long does the temperature hold with bronchitis and how to bring it down? This question worries many patients.
The causes of the disease
Bronchitis is an infectious disease. Bacteria (such as staphylococci, streptococci and pneumococci) and viruses, such as adenovirus or influenza virus, can become causative agents. The reason pathogens enter the body is because of a weakened immune system. Therefore, infection is most susceptible to children whose immunity has not yet fully developed, and older people. Dependence on alcohol and nicotine and the use of inhaled drugs also increase the likelihood of developing bronchitis. People with pathology of the respiratory system also fall into the risk zone. Since this is an infectious disease, it is transmitted by airborne droplets, which means that in order not to get sick, contact with patients should be avoided. During the period of outbreaks and epidemics of bronchitis and in the seasons of increased incidence (from November to December, as well as from February to April), preventive measures can be useful.
Symptoms of ailment
The first in case of bronchitis appears a dry or wet cough - its type varies depending on the form of the disease. A dry cough is characteristic of a viral illness, and a wet cough is acute and bronchial. The second and main symptom of this disease is high fever for several days. But how much the temperature holds with bronchitis depends on the form of the disease. As a result, weakness and headache attacks appear. Common signs of bronchitis can be described as follows:
- dry or wet cough;
- increase in body temperature to 38-39 ° C;
- fatigue and weakness;
- chills;
- runny nose;
- periodic or persistent headache;
- excessive sweating;
- wheezing and wheezing;
- chest pain;
- possible shortness of breath.
Forms and types of ailment
As previously noted, there are two forms of bronchitis - acute and chronic. The acute form is divided into several types:
- Due to the development of the disease: infectious and mixed.
- Separation by the type of development of the disease: primary and secondary bronchitis.
- At the site of the disease: bronchiolitis, tracheobronchitis and bronchitis, affecting the middle bronchi.
- Separation by the nature of inflammation: purulent and catarrhal.
- By the degree of impaired ventilation: obstructive and non-obstructive.
The shape and type of the disease, as well as the cause and mechanism of the development of the disease, affects how much the temperature holds for bronchitis.
Temperature during illness
All forms of bronchitis are characterized by an increase in body temperature. What is the temperature for bronchitis and how long does hyperthermia last? It depends on the nature of the disease, the age and lifestyle of the patient. The main reason that high body temperature rises during bronchitis is the penetration of the infection into the respiratory tract and, accordingly, the onset of the inflammatory process. Fever, fever indicate the body is fighting the virus. This process indicates that the causative agent of infection has entered the body, and at the same time reduces the time of the disease. The following reactions can be observed in the human body during hyperthermia:
- The production of antibodies occurs in the blood.
- The spread of infection in the body is slowed down.
- The metabolic process is accelerated.
Any positive effect on the body increases the temperature only at 38-39 ° C and only for three days. Therefore, it is worth knowing how much the temperature holds with bronchitis in order to reduce it as soon as possible.
Obstructive
Obstructive bronchitis usually goes hard, but quickly, with a short period of fever. So how many days does the temperature last with obstructive bronchitis? With this form, the patient’s body temperature usually rises only on the second or third day to 37-38 degrees and, with proper treatment, lasts no more than five days. Also, often the temperature begins to decline until complete recovery, and it is important to understand that its decrease in this case is only a sign of the effectiveness of treatment, which should not be stopped immediately after improvement. It happens that with the obstructive form of bronchitis, the temperature "jumps" - it rises sharply and slowly decreases over two to three days. Now it is clear how many days the temperature lasts with obstructive bronchitis?
Acute
Acute bronchitis at an early stage often with its symptoms resembles a typical cold and may resemble rhinitis or tracheitis. But then the disease goes into the chest area. Due to the mucus that accumulates in the bronchi, the cough becomes moist, with the release of gray-yellow sputum, “wheezing” breathing appears. Also, after some time, the temperature rises. How long does the temperature hold in acute bronchitis? It depends on how the patient started treatment on time. In general, a low temperature can last for two to three weeks, but at the beginning of the development of the disease, it can sharply increase to 38-39 degrees for three to four days.
Chronic
Chronic bronchitis is a consequence of poor treatment, that is, it is a complication of acute bronchitis. It takes longer and much harder. The patient's condition during this disease is close to the state during pneumonia. In addition, it is extremely difficult to diagnose such an ailment: an x-ray, a general or biochemical blood test, bronchoscopy is necessary. How long does chronic bronchitis hold? It depends on the degree of the disease, but a low temperature can stay for the entire duration of treatment. Chronic bronchitis is treated for a long time - a full recovery occurs only after three to four months. With normally proceeding treatment, the temperature does not rise above 37.5 degrees, however, during the period of exacerbation, the indicators can reach 39-40 ° C, but after two or three days they usually fall.
How to lower the temperature?
How much high fever holds with bronchitis depends on the effectiveness of the treatment. First of all, you need to see a pulmonologist. Most often, with bronchitis, antibiotic treatment is prescribed, which can lower the temperature. The process of lowering the temperature is inextricably linked with stopping the inflammatory process, so all the means that the doctor will prescribe will help you (usually these are antibiotics, antipyretic and mucolytic drugs). According to the doctor’s testimony, it is worth starting to take antipyretic and painkillers.
In parallel with medicines, “folk” remedies are also able to bring down temperature - diaphoretic substances, such as honey or raspberry jam, herbal tinctures. Of the herbs, marsh rosemary is most suitable - its decoctions have expectorant properties. Due to the increase in temperature, metabolism is accelerated, so you definitely need to drink a lot and regularly, for example, hot tea with lemon and honey, milk with raspberry jam. Watch your diet - during illness you need to eat right. It will be useful to take vitamins C and A. Often with bronchitis mustard plasters or alcohol compresses are applied, which also inhibits inflammation, but this should be done in the absence of temperature. If you are addicted to addictions like alcohol and nicotine addiction, give them up for a period of illness. But the main thing is to observe bed rest and take the drugs prescribed for you.
Bronchitis in children
Children of preschool and school age are especially prone to viral diseases and much more difficult than adults to tolerate them. A standard symptom of childhood bronchitis is a cough, and sometimes it is the only signal of the disease. However, in addition to it, the temperature may increase slightly, the child may become lethargic, show aggression, and lose appetite. A general deterioration is also characteristic. It is worth noting that the temperature rarely rises above 37.5 degrees, but with chronic bronchitis it can rise to 38-38.5 ° C. How much the temperature holds with bronchitis in children depends on the nature of the disease and the effectiveness of the treatment chosen. The highest duration of a high temperature period in a child occurs during chronic bronchitis. With the obstructive form of the disease, choosing the right medication can quickly bring it down. But often it holds as much as the temperature with an adult has bronchitis - five to six days.
Treatment of bronchitis in children
First of all, a child needs to call a doctor to determine the type of disease and get indications for treatment. Usually used drugs such as antiviral drugs and antibiotics, depending on the age of the child. Antipyretic and mucolytic agents are also used. It is also necessary to provide bed rest, it is recommended to ventilate the room several times a day, but keep it warm. You should monitor the baby’s nutrition: he needs to get enough protein and vitamins to restore the body’s immune system. In acute bronchitis, a full recovery occurs in one to two weeks, and with the right treatment, complications can be avoided.