Dry cough and fever: causes, symptoms, treatment, prevention

Medically reviewed: 24, January 2024

Dry Cough with Fever: What Does It Mean?

When do dry cough and fever go together? A cough is an innate response designed to eliminate mucus, irritants, or foreign substances from the airways. Nonetheless, if a dry cough is coupled with a fever, it could potentially signal the presence of an infection or inflammation in the lungs or respiratory system.

In contrast, a dry cough, also known as a non-productive cough, is distinguished by the lack of mucus or phlegm being discharged from the respiratory system. There are numerous reasons why someone might experience a dry cough along with a fever. These factors can vary widely and include the presence of viral or bacterial infections, allergic reactions, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the use of certain medications, exposure to environmental irritants, or even underlying lung conditions.

Additionally, it is important to note that a dry cough with fever could also serve as a hallmark symptom of COVID-19, an emerging coronavirus infection that specifically targets and impacts the respiratory system.

A dry cough with fever may have different characteristics, such as frequency, duration, intensity, and timing. It may be acute, lasting less than three weeks, or chronic, lasting more than eight weeks. It may be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of discomfort or disruption in one’s daily activities can vary, potentially reaching its peak during specific periods of the day, such as the morning or evening, or triggered by certain factors, such as cold air, exercise, or lying down.

A dry cough accompanied by a fever can be determined through a thorough examination of a patient’s medical history, a physical assessment, and various diagnostic tests like chest X-rays, blood tests, sputum cultures, or spirometry. The specific diagnosis relies on factors such as the root cause of the symptoms, the severity of the cough and fever, and the response to treatments.

The main objective when dealing with a dry cough accompanied by a fever is to provide relief from the symptoms and tackle the root cause of the condition. To achieve this, various medications may be prescribed, including antipyretics to reduce fever, cough suppressants to alleviate coughing, antihistamines to counter allergic reactions, bronchodilators to open up the airways, or antibiotics to eliminate bacterial infections, depending on the specific cause that has been identified.

Additionally, non-pharmacological interventions like increasing fluid intake, using humidifiers, consuming honey, using lozenges, or gargling may be recommended. In certain instances, surgical intervention may be necessary to eliminate the source of irritation or obstruction within the respiratory passages.

Three takeaways about dry cough with fever:

• A dry cough with fever is characterized by the absence of phlegm or mucus and is commonly accompanied by an elevated body temperature. This particular type of cough is often indicative of an underlying infection or inflammation affecting the lungs or respiratory tract.
• A multitude of factors can contribute to the occurrence of a dry coughw fever, including viral or bacterial infections, allergies, asthma or (GERD), and the use of certain medications, environmental irritants, or lung diseases. A dry cough with fever may also be a symptom of COVID-19, a new coronavirus infection that affects the respiratory system.
• A dry cough and fever can be identified through a thorough medical history review, a comprehensive physical examination, and the implementation of various diagnostic tests like chest X-rays, blood tests, sputum cultures, or spirometry. The accurate diagnosis relies on understanding the root cause of the condition, evaluating the intensity of the symptoms, and monitoring the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment. The primary goal of treating a dry cough with fever is to alleviate the symptoms and target the underlying cause responsible for the discomfort.
  In some cases, surgery may be required to remove the source of irritation or obstruction in the airways.

Dry cough and fever are the first signs of an infectious disease, usually of a viral nature. But if fever is present, bacterial pathogens cause respiratory spasms.

Dry cough and fever: causes

In the early stages of development, all diseases affecting the respiratory organs are manifested by a dry cough. This is a natural reaction of the immune system, aimed at cleansing the respiratory tract from pathogens. Therefore, if the cough is not too debilitating, it is undesirable to suppress it. The use of antitussive drugs is justified only if this symptom leads to sleep disturbance or other complications.

Frequent and dry coughing can be a symptom of a cold, sinusitis or laryngitis. If the cause was a sore throat, coughing attacks manifest around the clock. In connection with this, insomnia arises and overall well-being deteriorates significantly.

A distinctive feature of laryngitis is tickling in the throat, changing the voice to hoarse or rough. In some cases, the voice is temporarily lost. In such a situation, the temperature does not appear due to a virus, but due to a debilitating cough. However, it is always subfebrile and does not reach high marks.

Coughing also accompanied sinusitis without sputum, which occurs in the supine position when mucus from the nasal passages gets into the throat. But while the patient is in an upright position during the day, this symptom may be completely absent.

In addition, the patient may complain of such ailments as:

• nasal congestion;
• prolonged runny nose (yellow or green mucus);
• swelling of the face;
• pain in the region of the maxillary sinuses;
• general weakness.

If the temperature exceeds 38 degrees, most likely the cause of cough is bronchitis or pneumonia. In such a situation, a wet quickly replaced an unproductive cough one.

Sometimes the common cold, if not treated, can cause pneumonia. As it multiplies, viruses easily enter the lower respiratory tract. Therefore, do not think that a viral infection will pass itself in 7-10 days. Here, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

The presence of heat – a sign of the fight of the immune system with the pathogen. However, if the temperature is 38 degrees and higher, this means that the body can not cope and it is necessary to urgently begin treatment.

Changing respiratory spasms from reflex to coughing is a good sign. Together with sputum, the body gets rid of viruses and bacteria.

Wheezing may also accompany attacks of cough. Often there violates breathing and shortness of breath. With proper therapy, fever recedes quickly, but bronchospasms persist for several more weeks. This is normal, as the mucosa needs time to recover.

Other causes of dry cough and fever

Indeed, dry coughing in most cases indicates infectious diseases, for example, such as:

• influenza;
• tonsillitis;
• bronchitis;
• pneumonia;
• tuberculosis;
• rhinitis;
• tracheitis;
• laryngitis or pharyngitis.
• COVID-19

In some situations, diseases other than the respiratory system are also caused:

• oncological diseases;
• pathology of the cardiovascular system;
• allergic reactions;
• diseases of the stomach.

Coughing in an adult occurs when an attack of angina, heart attack, and coronary heart disease. An increase in temperature in this case is extremely rare.

Throat cramps are accompanying symptoms:

• allergic bronchitis;
• asthma;
• emphysema.

A distinctive feature of such disorders can be chest pain and wheezing.

Dry cough and fever: How to recognize the infection?

For an accurate diagnosis, you will need to consult a doctor. It is forbidden to diagnose and, especially to be treated independently, as it is possible to further harm your health. However, this does not mean that it is not necessary to know how the infection manifests itself.

Understanding the development of the disease will help to distinguish it from more serious violations.

After the fever appeared, headache, aching joints, red eyes and increased tearing joined the spasms of the respiratory tract. Sometimes there is photosensitivity.

With the flu, runny nose is absent or is mild. But if the patient has chronic nasopharyngeal diseases, the discharge can be very abundant.

With influenza, symptoms appear gradually. First there is a runny nose, sneezing and dry cough, then a sore throat and fever above 38 ° C.

Pronounced symptoms: severe spasms of the larynx, acute pain in the throat with a temperature of 38-39 degrees. characterize bacterial infection. The general condition worsens very quickly, usually within 24 hours after infection.

Any discomfort is a reason to consult a doctor. Only a specialist can determine the nature of the disease and prescribe adequate treatment. We must remember that with a viral infection, antibacterial drugs are useless. And the untimely use of antibiotics with a bacterial infection threatens with serious complications.

Dry cough and fever: Diagnosis and treatment

For the diagnosis will require inspection and complete blood count. Additional studies, such as x-rays, seeding bacteria, biochemical analysis of blood, are carried out according to indications. After the examination, the doctor will prescribe treatment.

A dry cough, especially nocturnal, can be calmed with antitussive drugs that relieve spasm of the larynx directly.

Antiviral drugs and immunostimulants are used to treat viral infections. Antibiotics can overcome a bacterial infection only, but each pathogen is sensitive to a specific type of medication, therefore they are prescribed only by a doctor.

Depending on the accompanying symptoms, there are remedies for sore throat, antipyretic and nasal preparations. Temperature up to 38 ° C, if there are no complications, we do not recommend it to shoot down. The patient is shown rest and heavy drinking.

You can drink tea, juice, compote, herbal infusions (if there is no allergic reaction) and, of course, clean water. It is prohibited to use warming compresses, rubbing, baths and steam inhalations. When the heat can not be warm. If the body does not cool, there is a risk of overheating.

To facilitate dry cough, you should drink alkaline mineral water, for example, Borjomi. Lollipops will help, best mints or eucalyptus.

Fresh air not only helps to reduce the temperature, but also soothes the spasmodic manifestations of the larynx. The room in which the patient is located should be aired 5-6 times a day. Moist air is needed, water tanks and wet towels can handle this task. Dry air contributes to the occurrence of spasm of the respiratory tract, which will significantly worsen the patient’s health. Relieve condition will help inhalation with saline.

If your doctor allows, you can use the recipes of traditional medicine. The most common recipe is black radish juice with honey or sugar. Herbal inhalations in the absence of heat can also help.

For the entire period of treatment, it is necessary to stop smoking and drinking alcohol.