Cough and high temperature diagnosis. Severe cough and fever in a child: what to do. Why do these symptoms appear?

A cough and fever in an adult always indicate some pathological process occurring in the body. Most often, this condition indicates an infection, but it can also be a sign of other diseases. It is impossible to ignore a cough against the background of hyperthermia. You should definitely see a doctor and get examined. Only after this the doctor will prescribe the necessary treatment.

Causes

Coughing is a protective reaction of the body, with the help of which it tries to get rid of irritants and allergens. Cough attacks with high fever can cause the following diseases:

• Bronchial asthma, occurring in severe form.
• Heart failure.
• Laryngitis and pharyngitis.
• Whooping cough.
• Pleurisy.
• Tuberculosis.
• Lung abscess.
• Bronchitis.
• Inflammation of the lungs.

A temperature above 37 degrees with a cough mainly occurs if there is an inflammatory process in the respiratory tract. The most common cause of this is bronchitis or pneumonia. But do not forget that the appearance of a severe cough may be associated with cancer.

The cause of a severe cough may be associated with allergies, but in this case the temperature remains normal, but lacrimation and rhinitis are observed.

Associated symptoms

Cough and temperature above 38 degrees are often accompanied by other symptoms that may suggest an illness:

1. A barking, dry cough and high temperature indicate laryngitis or pharyngitis. The patient's voice changes, the person becomes weak and irritable.
2. A weak cough may indicate inflammation of the vocal cords or their destruction. This condition can occur with cancer or chronic infectious diseases.
3. A muffled and frequent cough always indicates the initial stage of bronchitis or emphysema. With obstructive bronchitis, after a couple of days the cough becomes wet. Bronchitis is characterized by wheezing in the chest and general weakness.
4. A hysterical cough with sputum production indicates tumors of various types in the respiratory organs.
5. With pleurisy, the temperature rises above 39 degrees, while coughing and breathing are accompanied by severe pain in the chest.
6. Sputum with blood can be the cause of tuberculosis, cancer, pulmonary infarction or advanced pneumonia.

If a person has a cough for more than 4 weeks, this may be a sign of a purulent process in the lungs. With bronchitis and tracheitis, viscous sputum is coughed up. When coughing up sputum with pus, pleuropneumonia can be suspected; with a lung abscess, not only pus, but also streaks of blood can be seen in the sputum. The mucus in this case has an unpleasant, putrid odor.

If you have a prolonged low temperature and cough, you should consult a doctor. This condition indicates that the disease has become more complicated or has become chronic. If you have a cough that ends in vomiting with blood, you need to be examined for diseases of the digestive tract.

With a viral infection, the high temperature lasts more than 5 days. In this case, weakness, dizziness, and runny nose are observed. Weak people may have nausea, vomiting and other symptoms of body intoxication.

If, apart from a severe cough and high temperature, there are no other signs of illness, tuberculosis or cancer can be suspected.

When to start treatment

Cough with fever quite often occurs with respiratory diseases. If there are other signs of a cold - sore throat, weakness, runny nose and sneezing, then treatment should be started immediately. In the first days of illness, a cold can be cured using traditional medicine without resorting to medications.

Doctors do not recommend taking antipyretic drugs up to a temperature of 38.5 degrees. With such marks, the body itself is able to fight the infection. If a person has ever had convulsions or simply does not tolerate hyperthermia well, then there is no point in delaying it. In this case, the medicine should be given already at 38 degrees.

How to treat

If coughing and high fever are associated with a cold or bronchitis, then these diseases can be treated at home. The patient is prescribed mucolytics and expectorants; if necessary, antibiotics can also be prescribed. The list of drugs that can be used for treatment at home is as follows:

• Mucaltin and ambroxol.
• ACC and Ascoril.
• Licorice root syrup.
• Potion with marshmallow.
• Cough tablets.
• Lazolvan and Ambrobene.

The treatment regimen is determined by the doctor, who also calculates the dosage, taking into account the patient’s age and diagnosis.

If a high temperature lasts more than 4 days and intense coughing attacks are observed, then taking antibacterial drugs is necessary. For bronchitis, medications are most often prescribed in tablets. Preference is given to the penicillin group and macrolides. In severe cases of the disease, it is advisable to prescribe antibiotics by injection.

To alleviate the condition of a patient suffering from hyperthermia, he can be wiped with a solution of vinegar or alcohol. They are diluted with water in a ratio of 1:1, and if the skin is sensitive, then 1:2. The patient is wiped with the resulting solution, paying special attention to the places where large blood vessels pass - the bends of the limbs, the groin area and the neck.

You should not wipe your neck in the area of ​​the thyroid gland with solutions of vinegar and alcohol. In addition, you need to remember that vinegar rubdowns should not be performed by people with diabetes.

Inhalations

If the temperature when coughing does not exceed 37 degrees, then treatment can be supplemented with therapeutic inhalations. For this purpose, it is optimal to use a compressor inhaler, thanks to which medicinal solutions are converted into a fine mixture and delivered directly to the site of inflammation.

Inhalations are indicated for many diseases of the respiratory system. They can be used for both dry and wet coughs. Thanks to such procedures, phlegm is thinned and easily removed from the respiratory organs.

Adults may be prescribed the following medications for inhalation:

• Ambrobene solution.
• Ambroxol solution.
• Berodual.
• Ventolin.
• Saline solution.
• Baking soda solution.
• Still mineral water.

Medicines based on Ambroxol, Berodual and Ventolin are pre-diluted with saline solution. Dilution proportions for adults are 1:1. The procedure lasts at least 20 minutes. In total, 3-4 inhalations are needed per day. Medicines can be alternated.

Inhalations with mineral water and soda solution can quickly stop a cough attack. This is especially true at night, when a person coughs and cannot fall asleep.

If the cough is accompanied by a high temperature, then steam inhalation is strictly prohibited. They will lead to a worsening of the patient's condition.

Simple recommendations will help you quickly cure cough and fever caused by bronchitis or a cold:

• The patient should drink a lot. It doesn’t matter what it will be - pure water, tea, compote, fruit juice or jelly. You can drink decoctions of medicinal herbs - chamomile, thyme and linden. You should not get carried away with concentrated juices, as they greatly irritate the throat mucosa.
• The house needs to be wet cleaned frequently, wiping not only the floor, but all surfaces. This allows you to maintain normal humidity in the room and prevents the nasopharyngeal mucosa from drying out.
• The air temperature in the home should not exceed 21 degrees. To normalize the temperature, you should frequently ventilate the rooms, and in winter, slightly tighten the tap on the heating radiators.

To quickly defeat the disease, you must strictly follow all the doctor’s recommendations. It is unacceptable to self-medicate and change the dosage of medications prescribed by the doctor.

Traditional methods of treatment

In many cases, the treatment prescribed by a doctor can be supplemented with traditional recipes. It is worth remembering that some folk recipes contain allergenic components that should not be taken by allergy sufferers.

Milk with fat

A glass of milk is brought to a boil and cooled slightly. Add a teaspoon of badger fat and the same amount of honey to it. Stir the milk until smooth and drink. It is recommended to drink this drink 2 times a day.

Instead of badger fat, you can add bear or goat fat. If you don’t have such a product on hand, simply add a teaspoon of butter to the milk.

For treatment, you can only use badger and bear fat purchased at a pharmacy. It is worth remembering that wild animals carry many deadly diseases.

Radish with honey

This recipe has long been used to treat coughs not only in adults, but also in children. The result is a delicious, sweet medicine.

Large black radishes are washed with a brush, peeled and cut into thin slices. Place the vegetable pieces in a jar, coating each layer with honey. Leave the filled jar for an hour at room temperature, after which you take the released juice, a tablespoon, 4 times a day.

You can cut off the top of a radish, hollow out the middle with a knife and fill it with honey. In this case, the medicine will be ready in a couple of hours.

Aloe potion

Three large aloe leaves are washed and ground in a meat grinder. Add 0.5 cups of honey and two tablespoons of butter. Mix everything well and take it with a dessert spoon. 3 times a day. Such a drug should not be swallowed, but should be randomly dissolved in the oral cavity.

To prepare the medicine, take leaves from a plant that is more than 2 years old. The leaves are first kept in the refrigerator for about a week.

Ledum decoction

This cough remedy allows you to get rid of an unpleasant symptom in just a week. To prepare the decoction, take a dessert spoon of plant material and pour it into a large thermos. Pour half a liter of boiling water and leave for an hour. After this, filter and drink ¼ glass, 3 times a day. The course of treatment lasts a week. To improve the taste, you can add a little mint and honey to the broth.

We must not forget that wild rosemary is poisonous. If during such treatment symptoms of intoxication appear, stop drinking the decoction.

Prolonged coughing against a background of low-grade fever may be a symptom of tuberculosis. In this case, it is recommended to undergo fluorography and tests.

Fever and cough in an adult occur with viral and infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Initially it appears, gradually changing to wet. Body temperature reaches its highest level in the first few days of the disease, then gradually decreases.

Causes of cough and fever

The appearance of these symptoms most often signals the occurrence of an inflammatory process. This disease often affects the respiratory system. A cough can also occur with inflammation of the nasopharynx, during the formation of adenoids. It is necessary to begin treatment at the first signs of the disease.

Other causes of cough with fever:

• bronchial asthma;
• pharyngitis;
• whooping cough;
• false croup;
• some types of allergic reactions (to vaccines, medications, etc.).

Danger of coughing with fever

Most often, when a cold or viral cough occurs, the patient tries to treat it on his own. If no changes occur within 3-4 days from the onset of the disease, then you should consult a doctor. Particularly dangerous is a severe cough with a high fever, accompanied by the following symptoms:

• severe runny nose - yellowish to greenish discharge;
• headache, dizziness, severe weakness;
• nasal congestion that interferes with breathing;
• heat;
• pressure or heaviness in the sinuses - on both sides of the nose and in the forehead;
• shortness of breath, fatigue;
• swelling of the face in the sinuses;
• aching joints, chills;
• the appearance of blood streaks in the sputum;
• breathing with and whistling;
• wet cough without sputum discharge;
• severe attacks of coughing with suffocation.

With a prolonged cough with a temperature of 37–38 degrees, the area of ​​inflammation increases, and the course of the disease may worsen. This is manifested by breathing problems and difficulty in sputum discharge. Improper treatment can lead to disruption of the functioning of the lungs or bronchi, and oxygen starvation of the body. In addition, in the absence of further changes during the course of the disease, immunity is significantly reduced, and the disease can develop into a chronic form.

If for several hours the body temperature is more than 39 degrees and does not go down in the usual way, then you need to call a doctor. In severe cases, the patient is hospitalized with further treatment of the disease in a hospital setting. If a cough temperature of about 40 degrees, a feverish state and impaired consciousness occur, you should urgently call a specialist or take the patient to the doctor yourself.

Drug therapy

Before starting treatment with medications and other remedies for cough and fever, conditions are created for the patient to facilitate the rapid elimination of the disease:

• room climate - air temperature should be about 23 degrees, regular ventilation is necessary;
• drink plenty of fluids - you need to drink up to three liters per day of fruit drinks, herbal teas and other liquids;
• eating - if there is no appetite, you should not eat forcibly, because this takes away extra energy from the body for digestion;
• bed rest – to speed up recovery, you need to sleep more and not be on the move for a long time.

To treat fever and cough in an adult, you need to select a set of drugs that will affect both the symptoms and the cause of the disease. Essential medications:

• antipyretics (,) – should be taken at temperatures above 37.5–38 degrees;
• antitussives (,) – used for;
• relieving irritation (Hexoral, Strepsils) - necessary to eliminate dry cough and;
• expectorants (,) – dilute and remove mucus;
• inhalation agents (, Tonsilgon,) - for the treatment of bronchi and lungs;
• antibiotics (,) - prescribed for bacterial infections after testing;
• immunostimulants (Anaferon, Aflubin) – strengthen the body’s defenses.

Antitussives and expectorants should not be taken at the same time. This can cause stagnation of sputum, worsening the course of the disease. Local medications should be used an hour after or before meals; before this, to enhance the effect, you should gargle or inhale.

Treatment with traditional methods

Traditional medicine recipes are used as an additional means of treating this disease, in combination with medications. With a low temperature and a mild cough with minor sore throat, such therapy can be used as an independent method of eliminating the disease.

To relieve fever and cough in an adult, alleviate the general condition and boost immunity, it is recommended to take herbal decoctions. Suitable for this. They should be taken warm, almost hot - this way the temperature drops faster. Such decoctions can be used instead of ordinary water for steam inhalation.

To relieve irritation and pain, rinses are used. For this purpose, solutions are prepared. You can gargle with herbal decoctions or tinctures, previously diluted in water. Rinse 3-5 times a day after meals. If there is a dry cough and high temperature, then the procedure is not recommended - this method can dry out the mucous membrane of the throat.

Hot inhalations are effective against coughs and the accompanying runny nose. To do this, boiling water is poured into the inhaler, and a few drops are added to a special container on its surface. Lavender, fir, and pine oils have a good antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect.

To treat a cough, you can use mustard plasters, which are placed on the chest or back, or pour mustard into socks at night. Such procedures can easily be replaced with hot foot baths with mustard before bed. This method of treatment is most effective in the first stages of the disease. Its use at high temperatures is not recommended.

Dietary nutrition for illness

At high temperatures, you should drink plenty of liquid - up to three liters per day. This will speed up the removal of harmful substances from the body. As many vegetables and fruits as possible are introduced into the diet - such a diet will replenish the supply of vitamins, strengthen the immune system, and speed up the healing process. It is recommended to replace heavy foods with liquid soups and cereals.

To improve the condition of the throat mucosa, you need to eat the following foods and dishes:

• milk porridge;
• mashed potatoes;
• milk tea;
• grape;
• lemon;
• hot milk with honey and butter;
• lean meat and fatty fish.

Some foods should be excluded for this disease:

Prevention

To prevent coughing with high fever during ARVI or influenza, you should avoid public places during epidemics and communication with infected people. Hypothermia significantly reduces immunity and contributes to the onset of the disease, so you should always dress warmly and not sit in the cold.

People with high immunity are least susceptible to any disease. It is strengthened by leading a healthy lifestyle - with regular walks, exercise, and proper nutrition. The latter needs to be given a special role - vitamin deficiency causes a decline in the body's defenses, so the diet should be as varied as possible. To prevent vitamin deficiency and colds, you should drink vitamin-mineral complexes 1-2 times a year.

To prevent chronic respiratory diseases, it is necessary to promptly treat colds and flu. Its frequent relapses can be triggered by an undertreated disease or incorrectly selected therapy. Therefore, you should not treat a lingering cough on your own - if it does not completely go away within a week, then you need to see a doctor to prescribe stronger drugs.

To avoid, during the season of exacerbations it is necessary to start taking antihistamines in advance. Early start of allergy prevention will prevent not only a cough, but also a possible runny nose and watery eyes.

This is one of those situations when parents should not put off visiting a doctor and make their own decision about treatment with available products from the family medicine cabinet. A severe cough and fever in a child indicates inflammation that needs treatment. Only a doctor makes a diagnosis and decides on further treatment methods and prescribes medications.

Instructions for parents of the child about his condition, the reason why a strong cough and fever appear. How should loved ones act to relieve symptoms and prevent complications when the body is infected with the virus.

Cough and why it occurs

Cough is a common symptom of childhood illnesses. Its sound causes fear and anxiety in adults, but in most cases it is not a sign of a serious condition. Normally, this is a healthy reflex by which the body protects the throat and lungs from the accumulation of phlegm or the entry of a foreign body.

You don't always need a doctor's help, but to do this you need to understand what the different types of cough mean, how to care for your child during this period and when medical help is needed.

When a child has a severe cough and fever accompanied by general agitation of the body, or, conversely, lethargy and difficulty breathing, an infection is suspected:

• cold;
• croup;
• whooping cough;
• bronchiolitis;
• pneumonia.

The strength and nature of the cough helps determine the disease.

By its sound, they determine at what level the airways are affected by inflammation:

• Nadryvny, is formed when the pharynx is affected.
• Deep, with wheezing and sputum discharge, which intensifies in the morning, indicates involvement of the trachea or bronchi in the inflammatory process.

A sudden onset of cough is an infection, a signal that a virus has entered the body.

Chronic course is caused by:

• asthma;
• reflux disease;
• postnasal drip;
• cystic fibrosis (rare);
• reaction to a foreign body.

Types of cough

Dry, paroxysmal cough, which is often disturbing at night, a possible manifestation of allergies (see) or asthma. When you inhale, dust particles, viruses, gases, bacteria and toxins are passively introduced into the respiratory system.

The mucus on the surface of the throat and blood vessels helps to trap them, and the cough reflex pushes the clogged secretions out of the respiratory tract. Taking medications that suppress natural function only makes the situation worse.

By productivity

• When only the upper respiratory tract is involved, the cough is dry, paroxysmal, without coughing up sputum (unproductive). The throat, larynx and trachea are affected.
• When infection and inflammation spread to the lower section (bronchi), sputum is released when coughing.

If you cough infrequently, you should not be concerned, but if a child has difficulty coping with a convulsive cough that prevents him from inhaling a portion of air and leads to redness of the face, there is a reason to urgently visit a pediatrician.

Parents should pay attention to the symptoms that will help the doctor make a diagnosis:

• temperature;
• snot;
• general well-being;
• chair;
• skin rashes.

With the flow

An acute severe cough and high temperature in a child appears as a reaction to the invasion of a virus or microbes.

Chronic course, in which the cough is constant:

1. Asthma. The child suffers from suffocation and bouts of prolonged coughing. Symptoms intensify with excitement, stress, exposure to allergens and changes in weather conditions.
2. Pneumonia caused by mycoplasmas or chlamydia. Pain in the body and throat, loss of strength, wheezing when breathing.
3. Cystic fibrosis. Frequent pneumonia, sinusitis, cyanosis of nails, developmental delay.
4. Foreign body. Repeated cough, possible fever.
5. Gastroesophageal reflux. Heartburn, cough, belching, hoarseness.
6. Whooping cough. Paroxysmal severe cough and temperature 37, suffocation, runny nose, vomiting after an attack (see).
7. Tuberculosis. Sluggish symptoms include weakness, weight loss, fever, and sweating.

A child who has a runny nose, a temperature of 37 and a severe cough probably has a cold. But parents need to monitor his condition; if the thermometer readings reach 39, the baby becomes weak and tries to breathe more often - pneumonia is suspected. Contact your doctor immediately.

When to call a doctor?

In most cases, there is no reason to worry when a cough appears.

However, be careful and call a doctor if:

• having difficulty breathing;
• the child inhales more often than usual;
• the face, lips and tongue acquire a bluish tint;
• a high temperature has risen, a severe cough has appeared, in the absence of a runny nose or stuffy nose;
• fever in children under 3 months;
• persistent cough;
• there is blood in the sputum when coughing up;
• sudden weakness and irritability appeared, signs of dehydration.

How is the treatment carried out?

The doctor needs to listen to the child’s breathing, based on the tones he will determine the condition and outline a further plan of action. In most cases, the reason lies in infection with a virus; therapy lasts no more than 2 weeks.

If the cough does not interfere with normal sleep, there is no need to take medications against it. They only suppress the reflex, but do not contribute to healing.

If you decide to use folk remedies or syrup from a pharmacy, be sure to inform your doctor. It must be safe, appropriate and not harmful to the child.

Help the baby, provide him with peace, humidify the air in the room, especially at night. The price of such efforts is good health and quick relief from cough. The photos and videos in this article give a complete picture of the difficulties that a small patient faces when coughing.

An increase in body temperature to 38 degrees is called low-grade fever. In some cases, it turns out to be the only sign that forces the patient to seek help.

Fever 37 and cough in an adult patient often occur together and are characteristic of a large number of diseases. Timely diagnosis will allow you to identify the root cause and begin effective treatment.

Normal body temperature is considered to be no more than 37 degrees. Some physiological conditions (stress, menstrual cycle, physical activity, food intake) can affect the thermometer readings. But in this case, its short-term jumps are practically not felt, and the temperature quickly returns to normal.

Depending on the state of a person’s immune system and predisposition to diseases, some patients note a persistent increase in it.

Sometimes the only symptom that worries them besides fever is a dry or wet cough. Let's look at the reasons for its occurrence.

Dry cough with fever

The most common cause of cough without phlegm is infection. It actively multiplies in the body, which has poor resistance to bacteria and viruses, which is associated with a decrease in its defenses.

Dry cough and fever are signs of the following diseases:

• Flu.
• Inflammation of the lungs of an atypical form.
• Tuberculosis (initial stage).
• Whooping cough.
• Pathology of ENT organs – laryngitis, tracheitis and pharyngitis.
• Neoplasms of the respiratory tract.
• Pathology of the cardiovascular system.
• Damage to the thyroid gland.
• Dry pleurisy.
• Helminthic infestations.
• Allergic reactions.
• Bronchial asthma.
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Let's consider each of these reasons separately.

The most common cause of dry cough is the flu. This disease is relevant during the cold season – in autumn and winter it takes on epidemic proportions.

During this period, human immunity is reduced, which is associated with a deficiency of vitamins in the diet, and viruses easily penetrate the mucous barrier of the nasal and oral cavities.

No more than 2 days pass before the first symptoms appear.

The patient notes a sharp deterioration in his condition, muscle pain, and loss of appetite. With a mild form of the disease, the temperature does not exceed 37.5 degrees.

The following respiratory symptoms are typical for influenza:

• painful and dry cough;
• dryness of the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth;
• the appearance of chest pain;
• nasal congestion.

When the first symptoms appear, you need to drink plenty of water - Borjomi with milk or warm fruit drinks. To facilitate nasal breathing, vasoconstrictors are instilled and a therapist is consulted.

Atypical pneumonia

Pneumonia always occurs with a wet cough, with the exception of the atypical form.

The disease begins with a temperature of no more than 37.2, chills, slight shortness of breath during exercise and a runny nose.

In the absence of treatment, they are accompanied by a cough without phlegm, sweating, especially at night, dry skin and general malaise. After 5 days he becomes obsessive.

Tuberculosis

At its initial stage, severe weakness and profuse sweating at night appear. In advanced forms, the patient typically loses up to 20 kg in 1-2 months.

Temperature fluctuations in this disease are specific - it rises for several hours to 37.2-37.3 degrees, and then independently normalizes without the use of medications.

Whooping cough

The incubation period lasts a week. The onset of the disease does not have specific symptoms and therefore more often resembles ARVI or bronchitis. The process drags on for 1-2 months without treatment, and can develop into a chronic form of cough.

Pathology of ENT organs

When the respiratory tract is affected, the first symptom is a dry cough. Laryngitis most often affects people who have a heavy load on the vocal cords (teachers, singers). A dry cough becomes “barking”, and with a deep breath it intensifies.

With tracheitis, this symptom bothers you at night or in the morning.

Pharyngitis is characterized by redness of the pharynx, which is clearly visible during examination. All these diseases occur with temperatures up to 37 degrees.

Neoplasms

A prolonged cough without sputum may not be associated with a viral infection. In some cases, the main cause is neoplasms in the respiratory tract. In this case, a dry cough is more likely to occur when lying down and after eating.

Diseases of the cardiovascular system

People with heart pathology (myocarditis, heart defects and cardiomyopathy) are prone to inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract.

The main outcome is heart failure, leading to congestion in the venous system of the pulmonary tissue.

Impaired blood flow causes spasm in the bronchi and in a patient who goes to the doctor with a complaint of a dry cough, heart pathology is discovered during the diagnostic process.

Damage to the thyroid gland

Diseases of the thyroid gland, in which it increases in size, lead to compression of the trachea.

A dry cough occurs reflexively and is associated with obstruction of the airway by a mechanical obstruction from the outside.

Wet cough with fever

A wet (or productive) cough and a temperature of 37.5 in adults are characteristic signs of the late stages of development of the following diseases:

• Typical pneumonia.
• Progression of tuberculosis.
• Lung abscess.
• Bronchectatic lung disease.
• Bronchitis.
• Sputum discharge in typical pneumonia is typical in the late stage of disease development.

The appearance of a large amount of mucus is associated with the active proliferation of microorganisms and the formation of inflammation in the lung tissues.

During their activity, abundant secretions accumulate in the lumen of the respiratory tract. It irritates the nerve endings that stimulate the cough reflex.

• In the early stages of tuberculosis development, a dry cough first appears, which gradually turns into a wet one..

Then it becomes painful and with purulent discharge. Although the body temperature exceeds the norm, it remains within 38 degrees.

• A lung abscess is characterized by the formation of a cavity filled with pus..

The patient's temperature remains low-grade (up to 38 degrees). After the surgeon opens the cavity, a cough occurs with copious and easily discharged sputum.

When the pus is completely released, the body temperature normalizes and the unpleasant symptoms disappear.

• With bronectotic disease, expansions form in the bronchial tree. Sputum accumulates in its cavities.

During an exacerbation, the temperature remains at 37 and the cough becomes productive. The patient coughs up to 200 ml of secretion with an unpleasant odor per day.

During the recovery stage, the temperature returns to normal, but a cough with a small amount of sputum remains for some time.

• Inflammation during bronchitis affects the bronchial mucosa and the entire thickness of the lung wall.

The temperature does not exceed 37.5 degrees, unless there is an infection. The patient's cough often appears at night with secretions that are difficult to separate. 3 days after the illness it becomes abundant and the mucus is easily coughed up.

Find out more:

Why doesn't the temperature go down?

They try to fight high body temperature () with antipyretic drugs.

If it is lower, then the immune system copes with the problem on its own and there is no need for it.

If the temperature lasts for two days or more, then the main causes of this condition are:

• Viral infection

With ARVI, a runny nose, cough and temperature of 37-37.4 last for several days (but no more than a week).

If the symptoms remain at the same level, the disease has become bacterial.

• Endocrine system diseases

The main center that regulates temperature is the hypothalamus. Thyroid hormones have a direct effect on it.

With thyrotoxicosis, the body temperature is kept within 38 degrees. Patients become irritable, get tired quickly and complain of increased sweating.

• Stress factor

Persistent hyperthermia is caused by exposure to a stress factor. People who are under its constant influence note that their body temperature is elevated and sometimes they have a cough. Its appearance is associated with short-term bronchospasm that occurs in response to stress.

What to do if you have a prolonged fever with cough?

Late detection of thyroid pathology, called hyperthyroidism, also poses a great danger. When neglected, it leads to thyrotoxic crisis, which is extremely life-threatening.

A long-lasting temperature of 37-37.5 and a dry or wet cough are alarming signs of an infection, often a sluggish one. For some diseases, such symptoms are characteristic in the early stages of the pathology.

It should be noted that reducing the thermometer to 38.5 degrees is not required, and treatment should be aimed at the root cause of this symptom.

This mistake can cause serious harm to your health, as is the case with late detected cardiomyopathy, which results in heart failure.

To avoid complications or the disease becoming chronic, it is necessary to consult a doctor and undergo a set of diagnostic procedures that will be prescribed to them, and then strictly follow the recommendations of a specialist.

What not to do with these symptoms

When a patient is bothered by a cough with sputum and a temperature of 37-37.5, or wheezing, it is forbidden to take antipyretic drugs.

Up to 38.5, the body produces its own interferons, which are aimed at fighting infection. This process will be suppressed by medications, which will interfere with the fight against infection.

If the temperature persists for more than three days and the cough persists, then you should not self-medicate. The persistence of symptoms is a sign of infection, for which it is necessary to begin timely therapy, which will be prescribed by a doctor.

During the period of fever with cough, you should not put mustard plasters on or take a hot shower. Such procedures will intensify the inflammatory process, and it will be easier for microorganisms to multiply in the created conditions.

Body temperature within 37 is considered normal and its slight short-term excess is not an indicator of infection.

Some physiological conditions have similar manifestations. When the temperature lasts for more than two days and is accompanied by a cough, this is a reason to consult a doctor.

If the temperature is more than three days. What to do?

In contact with

Cough and temperature of 38°C in an adult and a child are symptoms that appear both with a common cold and with serious illnesses.

They may indicate an inflammatory process in the upper and lower respiratory tract. Often tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, influenza, laryngitis and various infections cause severe coughing. This symptom is a protective function of the body, helping to get rid of excess phlegm and foreign particles in the bronchi and lungs. An increase in body temperature is a protective immune reaction that allows you to fight viruses and bacteria that do not survive when a person’s temperature increases above 37°C.

Attention! You should not self-medicate and delay going to the doctor - this can lead to various complications.

Of course, a wet cough with fever is easier to eliminate than a dry cough without any other symptoms. A dry cough and increased body temperature cause general malaise, weakness, aches and muscle pain. There is no sputum production and the throat becomes inflamed. A wet cough is accompanied by slight expectoration of sputum, and the person feels much better.

There are quite a lot of diseases accompanied by cough and fever.

Causes of cough

The most common causes of cough are:

• cold or ARVI;
• tracheitis or bronchitis;
• tonsillitis or pharyngitis;
• laryngitis and croup;
• whooping cough.

Cough accompanies the following pathologies:

1. Cold or ARVI. The main symptoms are fever, dry, tedious cough and runny nose. It is very important that the cough becomes wet and sputum begins to be discharged. With timely and proper treatment, the disease can be overcome within a week.
2. Tracheitis or bronchitis. These diseases are accompanied by attacks of dry or wet cough caused by inflammatory processes in the trachea or bronchi. In such cases, drug treatment is necessary, and in severe forms, the use of antibiotics. Neglect and untimely treatment can lead to chronic bronchitis or pneumonia.
3. Tonsillitis or pharyngitis. A severe cough and a temperature of 38°C in an adult are the main symptoms of inflammation of the larynx and peripharyngeal ring. There is no sputum production with these diseases, the throat is very irritated. You cannot self-medicate; consultation with a specialist is necessary.
4. Laryngitis and croup. Inflammation of the vocal cords and larynx can cause laryngitis. And with croup, which often develops in children under 3 years of age, a dry barking cough and wheezing occurs during inspiration. Treatment of such diseases should be immediate.
5. Whooping cough. Accompanied by a strong dry cough, slight fever and runny nose. Cough with whooping cough is protracted and paroxysmal in nature, and can sometimes cause vomiting. Treatment for this disease is quite long - up to 6 weeks. Fortunately, today there is a vaccine against whooping cough, so the likelihood of the disease decreases every year.

Prevention of cough in children and adults

Temperature 38°C, cough, runny nose in adults and children are only symptoms of various diseases. There is no sure way to prevent them, because the virus can be caught anywhere - in public transport or crowded places. You can reduce the risk of disease by following a few simple tips:

1. Wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of the virus.
2. Limit contact with sick people.
3. Stop active and passive smoking.
4. Drink liquid in large quantities, which helps thin mucus and quickly remove foreign substances and toxins from the body.
5. Don't skip required vaccinations.
6. Avoid crowded places and, if possible, replace trips on public transport with walks in the fresh air.

Children most often suffer from various viral diseases, since their immunity has not yet developed the necessary antibodies. To prevent illness in a child, certain rules should not be ignored.

Advice! If there is one child in the family who is sick, limit the sick person’s contact with healthy children and put him to sleep separately from others.

Make sure your child has all the necessary vaccinations (for whooping cough, influenza type B, and others), and also make sure that he washes his hands often and does not put his fingers in his mouth.

Treatment of cough in adults

It is very difficult and risky to overcome respiratory diseases on your own, as this can lead to complications. Only the attending physician can examine an adult patient with a cough and a temperature of 38°C and make the correct diagnosis. For such diseases, drug treatment with antibiotics is prescribed.

With mild symptoms, a cold or ARVI can be cured on its own. To do this, it is enough to limit physical activity, rest and drink fluids. But if there is no improvement for more than a week, you should urgently consult a doctor.

Tracheitis is not a very serious disease, but requires proper treatment. This requires drinking plenty of fluids, high humidity in the room, limiting physical activity and using inhalations. The doctor prescribes mucolytic drugs that thin out thickened mucus, and at high temperatures - antipyretic drugs.

Bronchitis is caused by viruses and bacteria transmitted by airborne droplets. It occurs in two forms - primary, when the nasopharynx, larynx and trachea become inflamed, and secondary as a complication after influenza, whooping cough and other diseases. When treating bronchitis, you need to drink more fluids, as well as decoctions that help cough up phlegm (plantain, wild rosemary, linden, coltsfoot). When treating a wet cough and a temperature of 38-39.5°C in an adult, bronchodilator, mucolytic or expectorant drugs are prescribed, as well as antibiotics and antipyretics. After recovery, the cough may remain for about a month, the main thing is that it subsides. If this symptom persists, you should consult a doctor, since sometimes ordinary bronchitis develops into chronic bronchitis.

Cough treatment methods

Pneumonia is a very serious and progressive disease. It occurs due to viral infections in the lower respiratory tract and may be a consequence of improper or untimely treatment of bronchitis. This disease is accompanied by a high temperature of up to 38-39.5°C, a wet cough, sometimes chest pain and shortness of breath even with little physical exertion. During treatment, antibiotics, expectorants and bronchodilators are necessarily used.

For pharyngitis, it is necessary to gargle, do inhalations, and also take antibacterial agents to eliminate inflammation of the pharynx. For tonsillitis, antibacterial and antifungal agents, inhalations, drinking plenty of fluids and irrigating the tonsils with antiseptic drugs are prescribed. Smoking and drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited.

Laryngitis is accompanied by fever, pain when swallowing, and inflammation of the larynx. Antibiotics, antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs are often used in treatment. Smoking and alcohol should be avoided during therapy.

Treatment of cough in children

Children can get any of the diseases listed above. During treatment, almost the same drugs are used, only the dosages change.

But there are diseases that mainly affect young children:

1. Croup – This disease occurs in children under 3 years of age. The main symptoms are fever, dry barking cough and malaise. The doctor often prescribes hormonal medications and recommends drinking plenty of fluids. An excellent preventive measure for croup is walking in the fresh air.
2. Whooping cough. The disease process goes through 3 stages. The initial stage has signs of a common cold: runny nose, fever and general malaise. The second stage is characterized by attacks of severe whooping cough, which can lead to vomiting. In rare cases, prolonged attacks of this symptom lead to nosebleeds and hemorrhages in the sclera of the eyes, and umbilical hernias. The third stage is recovery, when coughing attacks decrease, sleep and appetite improve. For a quick recovery you need:

• ensure high air humidity in the room;
• do wet cleaning in the room;
• When eating, give the child small portions;
• provide plenty of fluids;
• spend more time outdoors;
• distract the child with communication, play, so that he does not get fixated on coughing.

Drug treatment is accompanied by antibiotics, antitussives, and antipertussis gammaglobulin.

Carrying out preventive measures

How to treat a cough and reduce a temperature of 38°C in an adult and a child, besides medications? In parallel with them, you can use various folk remedies, for example:

1. Warm milk with honey and butter, which helps eliminate sore throat and dry cough. But you need to be careful with this product: drinking milk at high temperatures (38°C and above) is prohibited, since it is not digested and can cause nausea or diarrhea.

2. Decoctions of thyme, chamomile, sage, plantain, linden and wild rosemary. You can buy breast milk at the pharmacy. These plants have anti-inflammatory and expectorant effects.

3. Alcohol tincture of eucalyptus helps eliminate a dry, debilitating cough. To do this, take 20 drops of tincture per 1/4 cup of warm water.

4. Propolis tincture will eliminate cough if you are not allergic to it. To check this, apply a few drops to your elbow at night and check in the morning to see if there are any skin rashes. If not, propolis is right for you. This tincture can be added to water, milk, tea. Give small children as many drops as they are old (2 years - 2 drops, 3 years - 3 drops), diluting with liquid.

5. Aloe juice with honey helps with dry cough. To prepare, you need to take the middle leaf of this plant and grind it over a cup so that the juice gets inside, add a little honey. Adults use 1 tbsp. 1 time a day, and children - 3 times a day.

6. Inhalation of a decoction of chamomile, sage or thyme helps warm the airways and relieve inflammation. Another way is to breathe over boiled potatoes. The use of inhalations is contraindicated for croup and laryngitis.

7. Crushed ginger root with honey, when added to tea, has anti-inflammatory properties and improves immunity.

8. Tea with raspberry, honeysuckle and wild strawberry jam has an antipyretic effect. In addition, you can drink 1 glass of cranberry juice 3 times a day with the addition of 1 tsp. honey.

On a note! To warm the lungs and bronchi, you can use various compresses made from potatoes, badger or goose fat.

The potatoes are boiled, wrapped in cloth and placed on the chest, skipping the heart area. Badger or goose fat is used to rub the chest or back of adults and children. The use of such rubbing is prohibited at high temperatures, as this can cause an increase in temperature.

During treatment, be sure to limit physical activity and maintain bed rest, energy will be directed to fighting the disease, and you will be able to recover much faster. Follow these simple recommendations for effective treatment:

1. If you have any respiratory illness, drink more, as fluids thin out thickened mucus and help flush out toxins.
2. Do not eat or force children to eat if there is no appetite. The body itself knows what it needs. Digesting food requires a lot of energy, which could be spent fighting a virus or bacteria.
3. If the disease is mild, spend more time outdoors.
4. The optimal air temperature in the room should not exceed 22–23°C. Bacteria and viruses multiply at double speed in warm, dry air. Try to ventilate the room every morning and do wet cleaning.

If you cannot eliminate a dry or wet cough on your own, or a temperature of 38–39°C in an adult or child, you should immediately consult your doctor.