Bronchitis is an infectious disease caused by inflammation in the bronchi. Bronchi - the connecting part between the trachea and the lungs in the human respiratory system, consisting of two main bronchus connected with the trachea and their branches. Inflammation of these organs can be caused by the entry of a virus into the body of toxic substances, dust or smoke, 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. Children under 12 years of age, the elderly, patients with a tendency to diseases of the respiratory system, and those who are addicted to smoking are most susceptible to 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 drops sharply. One of the most unpleasant symptoms of this disease is fever. How long does the temperature last with bronchitis and how to bring it down? This question worriesmany patients.
Causes of illness
Bronchitis is an infectious disease. The causative agents can be bacteria (such as staphylococci, streptococci and pneumococci) and viruses, such as adenovirus or influenza virus. The reason why pathogens enter the body is a weakened state of the immune system. Therefore, children, whose immunity has not yet fully developed, and the elderly are most susceptible to infection. 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 are also at risk. Since this is an infectious disease, it is transmitted by airborne droplets, which means that in order not to get sick, you should avoid contact with sick people. During outbreaks and epidemics of bronchitis and during high seasons (November to December and February to April), preventive measures can be helpful.
Symptoms of the disease
The first with bronchitis appears dry or wet cough - its type varies depending on the form of the disease. For a viral illness, a dry cough is characteristic, for acute and bronchial - wet. The second and main symptom of this disease is a high temperature for several days. But how long the temperature lasts with bronchitis depends on the form of the disease. As a result, weakness and headache attacks appear. Common symptoms of bronchitis can be described as follows:
- dry or wetcough;
- increase in body temperature to 38-39 °C;
- fatigue and weakness;
- chill;
- runny nose;
- recurrent or persistent headache;
- excessive sweating;
- wheezing and wheezing;
- chest pain;
- possible shortness of breath.
Forms and types of disease
As previously noted, there are two forms of bronchitis - acute and chronic. The acute form is further divided into several types:
- Due to the development of the disease: infectious and mixed.
- Division according to 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 according to the nature of inflammation: purulent and catarrhal.
- According to the degree of impaired ventilation of the lungs: obstructive and non-obstructive.
The form and type of the disease, as well as the cause and mechanism of the development of the disease, affect how long the temperature lasts with bronchitis.
Temperature during illness
All forms of bronchitis are characterized by an increase in body temperature. What is the temperature with bronchitis and how long does hyperthermia last? It depends on the nature of the disease, age and lifestyle of the patient. The main reason why a high body temperature rises during bronchitis is the penetration of the infection into the respiratory tract and, accordingly, the onset of the inflammatory process. An increase in temperature, fever indicate the body's fight against the virus. This process indicatesthe fact that the pathogen has entered the body, and at the same time reduces the time of the disease. In the human body during hyperthermia, the following reactions can be observed:
- Antibody is produced in the blood.
- Slows down the spread of infection in the body.
- Speeds up the metabolic process.
An increase in temperature has any positive effect on the body only at 38-39 ° C and only for three days. Therefore, it is worth knowing how long the temperature lasts with bronchitis in order to reduce it as soon as possible.
Obstructive
Obstructive bronchitis usually resolves severely, 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 subside 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 immediately stopped after the condition improves. It happens that with an obstructive form of bronchitis, the temperature "jumps" - it rises sharply and slowly decreases over two to three days. Now it’s clear how many days the temperature lasts with obstructive bronchitis?
Spicy
Acute bronchitis at an early stage often resembles a typical cold in its symptoms and may resemble rhinitis or tracheitis. But thenthe disease moves to the chest area. Because of the mucus that accumulates in the bronchi, the cough becomes wet, with the release of gray-yellow sputum, "whistling" breathing appears. Also after a while the temperature rises. How long does the temperature last in acute bronchitis? It depends on how the patient started treatment in time. In general, a low temperature can last for two to three weeks, but at the beginning of the development of the disease, it may rise sharply 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 is much harder. The patient's condition during this disease is close to that during pneumonia. In addition, it is extremely difficult to diagnose such an ailment: an x-ray, a general or biochemical blood test, and bronchoscopy are needed. How long does the temperature last in chronic bronchitis? It depends on the degree of the disease, but a low temperature can be kept for the entire duration of treatment. Chronic bronchitis is treated for quite a long time - full recovery occurs only after three to four months. With normal treatment, the temperature does not rise above 37.5 degrees, however, during an exacerbation, the indicators can reach 39-40 ° C, but after two or three days they usually subside.
How to lower the temperature?
How long a high temperature lasts with bronchitis depends on the effectiveness of the treatment. First of all, you need to contactpulmonologist. Most often, bronchitis is treated with antibiotics, 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 prescribes for you (usually antibiotics, antipyretics and mucolytic drugs) will help. According to the doctor, you should start taking antipyretics and painkillers.
In parallel with medicines, “folk” remedies are also capable of bringing down the temperature - diaphoretic substances, such as honey or raspberry jam, herbal tinctures. Of the herbs, marsh wild rosemary is most suitable - its decoctions have expectorant properties. Due to the rise in temperature, the metabolism is accelerated, so be sure to drink a lot and regularly, for example, hot tea with lemon and honey, milk with raspberry jam. Watch your diet - during an illness, you need to eat right. It will be useful to take vitamins C and A. Often with bronchitis they put mustard plasters or apply alcohol compresses, which also slows down inflammation, but this should be done in the absence of temperature. If you are prone to addictions such as alcohol and nicotine addiction, give them up for the period of the disease. But the main thing is to stay in bed and take your prescribed drugs.
Bronchitis in children
Children of preschool and school age are especially prone to viral diseases and are much more difficult than adults to endure them. The standard symptom of childhood bronchitis iscough, and sometimes it turns out to be the only signal of the disease. However, in addition to it, the temperature may rise slightly, the child may become lethargic, show aggression, and lose appetite. It is also characterized by a deterioration in the general condition. It should be noted that the temperature rarely rises above 37.5 degrees, but in chronic bronchitis it can rise to 38-38.5 degrees. How long the temperature lasts for bronchitis in children depends on the nature of the disease and the effectiveness of the chosen treatment. The highest duration of a period of high temperature in a child occurs during chronic bronchitis. With an obstructive form of the disease, by choosing the right medicines, it can be quickly knocked down. But often it lasts as long as the temperature with bronchitis in an adult lasts - five or six days.
Treatment of bronchitis in children
The child first of all needs to call a doctor to determine the type of disease and get indications for treatment. Medications such as antivirals and antibiotics are commonly used, depending on the child's age. Antipyretic and mucolytic agents are also used. You also need to provide bed rest, it is recommended to air the room several times a day, but keep it warm. You should monitor the nutrition of the child: he needs to get enough protein and vitamins to restore the body's immune system. In acute bronchitis, full recovery occurs in one to two weeks, and with the right treatment, complications can be avoided.
