Acute lung inflammation is most often accompanied by a high fever. Despite the completed therapeutic course, the temperature after pneumonia can rise again and remain elevated for a long time – up to one and a half months. If the hyperthermia is higher than normal, it is necessary to make an appointment with a doctor.
Causes of temperature after pneumonia
Pneumonia is a serious illness that, in neglect, as well as with self-treatment, can result in life-threatening complications that require treatment in a hospital. The reasons for when the temperature can rise again are considered to be the following factors:
Heat
- incomplete elimination of all inflammatory foci due to self-cessation of antibiotics;
- the transition of the disease to a sluggish chronic form, prolonged pneumonia can last up to 3 months;
- the development of a new infection in a weakened body that has not completely recovered from an illness;
- the change in body temperature is affected by the decay products of lung tissue. Complications of this kind can be fraught with the development of serious pathologies.
If, after pneumonia, a high temperature persists for a long time, a similar process depletes the body’s immune forces. The result is immunodeficiency states.
Associated symptoms
The temperature tail is the body’s hyperthermic response to the inflammatory process. In addition to high body temperature, the following symptoms may be present:
- cough;
- frequent shortness of breath;
- decreased appetite, change in taste perception;
- a feeling of chills or, conversely, fever;
- increased heart rate;
- constant weakness;
- hypokinesia (limitation of physical activity).
The presence of such accompanying signs is clear evidence that the final recovery has not yet taken place or the disease has resumed again.
Diagnostics
Who to contact
Pulmonologist
Fever, cough and other accompanying symptoms that appear after a course of therapy for pneumonia should alert the patient. If such signs persist for more than 3 days, you should urgently consult a pulmonologist. If subfebrile temperature is accompanied by other symptoms, the local therapist can refer the patient for consultation to related specialists – an ENT doctor , cardiologist, nephrologist, neuropathologist, endocrinologist, gynecologist. A female doctor may be required if pneumonia is accompanied by an exacerbation of chronic diseases of the reproductive organs.
What needs to be examined
A constant falling subfebrile temperature in a person who has had pneumonia should be a signal for re-referring to a therapist or pulmonologist. The doctor begins the diagnosis with palpation of the patient’s lymph nodes to identify enlarged ones, assesses their size, the presence or absence of pain. After a visual examination, familiarization with the complaints, the patient is issued a referral for the following examinations:
- fluorography – allows you to establish the affected areas in the lungs;
- blood test – helps detect chronic inflammation or an allergic reaction;
- collection or bacterial culture of sputum – reveals pathogenic microflora.
Fever treatment after pneumonia
Treatment for adults
If, after undergoing therapy, studies do not show significant changes, an elevated temperature can act as a response of the body to residual pathology phenomena. For this reason, one should not interfere with the immune system to fight them, trying to lower the temperature. It is better to strengthen it with vitamins and minerals. It is also important to follow a plentiful drink regimen.
The residual temperature after the inflammatory process, of course, requires the resumption of complex therapy. Correct treatment of such a symptom is possible only after establishing the cause of its occurrence. If the disease is caused by bacteria or viruses, a broad-spectrum antibiotic is prescribed. A previous infection can give rise to the development of autoimmune conditions. Then the body begins to destroy its healthy tissues, in which case non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed.
Compress on the forehead
Of the folk methods for lowering the temperature, the following methods are used:
- wet cold compresses on the forehead;
- rubbing the whole body with a weak vinegar solution or vodka.
Experts do not recommend lowering the subfebrile temperature (37-37.5 ° C) for any diseases, because it enhances fermentation and metabolism. These processes make it easier for the body to fight painful foci.
Lowering the temperature does not mean eliminating it. It is necessary, first of all, to achieve an end to the penetration of toxins into the bloodstream. Such an appointment is performed by antibacterial therapy in conjunction with drugs of immune stimulation.
If antibiotics are not prescribed correctly for the treatment of acute pneumonia, microorganisms become more resistant and do not respond to drugs. Such bacteria transform into L-forms and many antibiotics do not have a healing effect on them. A condition of this type belongs to the category of complicated conditions after pneumonia. The only option is therapy aimed at replenishing the body’s immune resources and activating the synthesis of antibodies with the proliferation of leukocytes.
Popular sorbents
Sorbents are used to reduce the concentration of toxic substances. In the intestine, they bind to pathological chemical compounds, including toxic substances, and are excreted in the feces. This prevents toxins from entering the bloodstream. A high level of poisoning is dangerous for kidney failure, which can provoke acute uremia.
Treatment of children
Small patients up to 10-12 years old are quite often prone to the occurrence of a temperature tail. This is due to the completely undeveloped systems of thermoregulation of the child’s body. The development of hyperthermia in babies after pneumonia indicates a weakened immune system or the presence of an infection in the respiratory tract. Further, this can cause frequent colds and repeated pneumonia. If the examination of the respiratory channels does not reveal any violations, children are recommended the same methods of strengthening the immune system as adults, in the appropriate dosage, which is determined by the attending physician.
It is necessary to include in the diet foods containing a large amount of vitamins and minerals, to observe the drinking regime. Long walks every day are encouraged.
Parents should do everything to protect their child from colds, as weak immunity creates an opportunity for the development of many diseases.
Prophylaxis
To prevent hyperthermia after an illness is possible only by strict adherence to medical recommendations. You can not independently stop antibiotic treatment at the first improvement in the condition. It is necessary to destroy not part of the pathogenic flora, but the entire colony of bacteria.
To prevent the occurrence of low-grade fever, inhalation of phytoncides allows inhalation of which is most effective through a nebulizer. Also benefits are:
Eleutherococcus tincture
- taking biogenic stimulants and adaptogenic agents (tinctures of Eleutherococcus, ginseng, aloe juice, lemongrass, onion, garlic);
- giving up bad habits (drinking alcohol, smoking);
- minimization, or better, complete absence of stress;
- hardening of the body.
Strict adherence to medical prescriptions will reduce the risk of complications and ensure full recovery.