Bronchitis is a very common pathology, it mainly affects the most fragile subjects during the winter months and more frequently, therefore children and the elderly.
It is an inflammatory process affecting the mucosa that lines the bronchi, but which can easily extend to the trachea and pharynx which, if not properly treated, can degenerate into more serious pathological pictures affecting the lungs.
Two types of bronchitis are identified, acute and chronic , which, as we will see in more detail, differ both in duration and in the agent triggering the phenomenon,
Bronchitis without feverit is a condition that can indistinctly characterize both the acute and chronic form and is a fundamental element on which the doctor’s therapeutic strategy is based.
Let’s see below the most common forms of bronchitis, with their typical symptoms, to better distinguish the disorder. You can go out if you have bronchitis without fever
Acute Bronchitis: Causes
This form of bronchitis can be caused both by viruses and by contact with irritants such as acids, solvents and ammonia.
The viral cause is the most common and is associated with the typical influenza and parainfluenza viruses that characterize the colder seasons. It first presents with symptomslighter, typical of a cold or flu, therefore osteo-joint pain, muscle aches, fatigue, dry cough and consequent burning sensation and pain in the throat due to exertion.
Generally, a mild fever may occur in this first stage but the patient may also not experience any rise in his body temperature and therefore we speak of a form of bronchitis without fever .
At a later stage, if the viral infection does not resolve, a bacterial over-infection is established which worsens the symptoms of the disease which, if not properly treated, can result in much more serious pathologies such as bronchopneumonia.
When superinfection occurs, phlegm is typically produced and excreted and therefore the presence of a fat cough . Unlike the initial (or viral) phase, it is more common for the patient to experience fever.
When dealing with the malaise complained of by children , it is frequent that we are alarmed about their state of health, this is because they often fail to express all their symptoms but complain of a state of general malaise.
In the case of bronchitis, however, the nature of the cough and how it manifests itself helps us. If the child has a dry cough, ie without phlegm, therefore without sputum or excretions, most likely it is a mild form of bronchitis, so there is no reason to be alarmed. It typically clears up on its own within a few days.
If, on the other hand, the cough becomes oily, then the child produces and emits phlegm and secretions, bronchitis requires appropriate therapies, therefore it is essential to contact the pediatric doctor for a thorough examination.
It is important not to waste time, waiting for the situation to resolve itself, because in reality it could worsen and degenerate into more complex pathologies, and it is essential not to rely on remedies found on the internet.
Chronic bronchitis: the causes
This form of bronchitisit has a more prolonged and worsening trend than the previous one. Chronic is defined when the subject has a fat cough for 3 months or more during the course of a year and for 2 consecutive years.
Even in this clinical picture, small febrile elevations may occur, but it generally occurs without fever.
The main triggers of chronic bronchitis are mainly related to smoking, and to various environmental factors, especially pollution. To a lesser extent, however, we again find virus infection and bacterial overinfection as the cause of the disease.
It is, therefore, a condition in which there is a chronic production of secretions that are expelled through a cough defined as “productive”, ie with phlegm.
The state of continuous cough and mucus production gradually leads the subject to conditions of dyspnea (worsening of the ability to breathe) and to feel a sensation of “shortness of breath” or shortness of breath. This situation is felt mainly when exercising physical activities and during the night hours, this is due to the lying position.
As mentioned earlier chronic bronchitisit can degenerate into pictures of greater clinical interest, leading to a real COPD (obstructive pulmonary disease) or bronchopneumonia, therefore you are advised not to underestimate a persistent cough, and to contact your doctor who will evaluate the need to prescribe more in-depth analysis.
Which tests are useful for the diagnosis of bronchitis
The methods of investigation differ according to the symptoms felt, the type of cough and the general state of health of the patient. The fact remains that a cough with sputum (phlegm) or a chronic cough are elements that need to be investigated, which will have to be evaluated by the doctor.
What are the most frequent surveys
A first and fundamental approach during the examination is the auscultation of the chest. It is a simple visit carried out with the aid of a stethoscope placed on several parts of the chest and back to hear the presence of noises and rattles, indicating the presence of mucus in the lower airways (bronchi and lungs). It is therefore not an invasive or painful examination.
The tests may then require a simple blood test, useful for checking for factors that indicate an infection: high white blood cells , altered levels of neutrophils and the presence of specific antibodies to viruses that affect the respiratory system.
If sputum is present, therefore phlegm, its nature and composition can be assessed.
Further investigations make use of instrumental diagnostics, especially chest rays (Chest X-ray) to have a view of the state of the bronchi and lungs.
To verify, however, the respiratory capacity of the subject, an examination called spirometry is carried out . Also in this case it is not a painful or invasive examination, it consists in exhaling air from the mouth inside a spout connected to the machinery that measures how much air the lungs contain.
Bronchitis without fever: therapy
We reiterate the importance of undergoing a correct therapyin order not to allow the clinical picture to worsen and this can only be prescribed by a doctor after having carried out all the necessary analyzes.
Therefore, the most common therapeutic options are listed below but these should not be interpreted as the directions to follow. Each case deserves its own evaluation.
In case of bronchitis without fever , or with very mild febrile manifestations, no more than a few lines, it is not only useless but also counterproductive to administer antipyretic, antiviral and antibiotic drugs.
In case of acute bronchitisof mild entity, pain relievers, anti-tussive drugs are usually administered to calm the cough, generally in the form of syrups or sweets and anti-expectorant drugs, to facilitate the expulsion of phlegm.
In addition to these strategies there are also practical advice, such as that of keeping yourself adequately hydrated by drinking herbal teas and infusions and carrying out aerosols to clear the airways, and also to use environmental dehumidifiers.
On the other hand, when the symptoms worsen and fever and fat cough are established, in addition to the drugs already mentioned, it is necessary to resort to antibiotics (amoxicillin, azithromycin) and antipyretic drugs.
In case of chronic cough, the specific therapies for each case must be associated with the suspension from cigarette smoke.
You can go out in case of bronchitis without fever
. In these cases the answer lies with the doctor. It is generally preferable not to go out and not to expose yourself to further agents who can make the situation worse. For example, going to too cold or too hot places without proper precautions can pave the way for new infections that can aggravate a fever-free bronchitis situation .
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