Temperature in cystitis: is there and how to bring it down?

Inflammation of the bladder is a very common disease: it affects both women and men, both adults and children. However, not all patients with cystitis have a fever. Therefore, the question often arises: should the temperature rise at all? And what does this symptom mean? Should we sound the alarm, or is hyperthermia a normal variant?

Can there be a fever with cystitis?

Many microorganisms can cause cystitis. These include E. coli, Proteus, coccal flora, etc. Inflammation can occur after various manipulations - in such a situation, gram-negative bacteria often become pathogens. In addition, the disease is often provoked by active trichomonads, viral and fungal infections, ureaplasma, mycoplasma, chlamydia, etc.

What is the reason for the increase in temperature?

This is a specific response of the human immune system to the introduction of infection and the development of the inflammatory process. The content of pyrogenic (temperature-increasing) components produced by pathogenic microorganisms increases in the blood. As a result, the body is activated, starting to produce its own pyrogens. Metabolic processes are stimulated, and it becomes easier for the immune defense to fight the infection.

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Causes cystitis fever

The inflammatory reaction in the form of cystitis is caused by an infection that has penetrated the body, namely the bladder. The immune system is activated in response to the introduction of an infectious agent, entering into a fight with the "enemy": at this stage, the temperature rises. With acute cystitis, the temperature can rise sharply, periodically normalizing and remaining for several days.

If the indicators do not exceed the limit of 38°C, this means that the body continues to fight and will soon be able to cope with the pathogen: treatment must be continued, and the temperature should not be specially "knocked down". However, if such a temperature did not increase sharply, but gradually, against the background of other painful symptoms, then it is necessary to take measures to avoid complications. In either case, a doctor's consultation should be mandatory.

Temperature of 37.1, 38.5, 40 in acute and chronic cystitis is not a typical symptom. Therefore, to determine the cause of such a phenomenon, additional diagnostics must be carried out. This is especially true for indicators that exceed 38 ° C.

Often, temperature imbalance indicates the development of complications: suspicion may arise if the indicators are high, and the problem does not disappear for more than three days in a row. We will consider the options for complications and consequences of temperature in cystitis below.

Cystitis that develops after radiation therapy deserves special mention. Temperature is normally absent with radiation cystitis. Typical signs of the disease include frequent unsuccessful urges to urinate, urinary incontinence, frequent nighttime urges, pain and burning during urination. If these symptoms are accompanied by a rise in temperature, then additional examination is necessary to determine whether complications or other inflammatory processes are developing inside the body.

When it comes to a common inflammatory process in the bladder, the temperature during treatment of cystitis can remain in the form of subfebrile numbers for three days (until the antibacterial or antifungal drug takes effect). Then the indicators should normalize. However, in some patients, chills and temperature during cystitis persist for a longer period of time: this depends on the complexity of the course of the disease, on the individual characteristics of the patient, on the state of his immune system. If the immune system is too weak, the fight against infection can last longer: accordingly, the temperature will be maintained for a longer time.

Blood and temperature in cystitis are detected at the initial stages of the disease, when drug therapy has not yet had the desired effect. With an adequate uncomplicated course of the inflammatory process, the condition normalizes within two or three days, provided that all medical recommendations are followed.

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Risk factors

When describing risk factors, we mean conditions that contribute to the occurrence of fever during cystitis and the development of complications. Such factors include:

• weak immunity, the presence of other chronic processes in the body, frequent stress, sexually transmitted diseases;
• pregnancy period;
• hypothermia;
• kidney and intestinal diseases;
• failure to observe personal hygiene rules;
• consumption of sweets, spicy foods, alcohol;
• frequent overflow of the bladder.

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Symptoms

What temperature can there be with cystitis? This indicator is individual, since it is not a typical sign of bladder inflammation. In some patients, temperature values may be within the normal range, while in others they may increase to one degree or another. With mild inflammation, the indicators usually do not exceed +37.8 ° C. With advanced cystitis, with the development of complications, or against the background of viral infections, the temperature can even rise to 39-40 ° C.

Often, a low temperature is also found with cystitis, and there are many reasons for this. The most common factor is the so-called "loss of strength" caused by a long-term infection, a chronic inflammatory process. Among other reasons for low temperature readings, one can name:

• iron deficiency anemia;
• hypothyroidism (low thyroid function).

Also, one cannot exclude such factors as an individual reaction to taking medications, or even incorrect temperature measurement (a non-working thermometer).

By the way, subfebrile temperature is the most common in cystitis. Such figures as 37.1-37.9°C indicate a sluggish inflammatory process, as well as the fact that the body is in the stage of active fight against infection.

Temperature in cystitis in women

Cystitis is one of the most common urological diseases that affects women of any age. It is no secret that the female population faces such problems many times more often than men. The female urethra is much shorter than the male one, so bacteria and other flora easily get from the external genitalia to the bladder. Some types of microorganisms are able to develop in the urine especially quickly, causing the appearance of signs of cystitis.

As with other patients, the temperature with cystitis often begins to bother only in the absence of treatment, in the late stages of the pathology. But in some cases, with weak immunity or with individual sensitivity of the body, a temperature rise to subfebrile numbers is also considered normal. There is no need to "knock down" such indicators: an important step should be to contact a doctor to prevent further development of complications. If this is not done, the disease will progress, the risk of worsening the problem increases significantly.

Temperature during cystitis in pregnant women

Inflammation of the bladder in pregnant women can be infectious and non-infectious. In infectious cystitis, the "culprit" of the disease can be a bacterial or fungal agent (E. coli, chlamydia, staphylococcus, etc.). In a non-infectious problem, the bladder mucosa becomes inflamed due to pressure from the uterus on the organ with impaired outflow of urine. Stagnation leads to increased proliferation of microorganisms, and additional provoking factors can be poor nutrition, hypothermia, stress and lack of sleep. It is also well known that immune protection during pregnancy weakens, the hormonal balance changes: the risk of developing cystitis increases significantly.

Moderate subfebrile temperature in cystitis is an indicator of an active inflammatory process. The doctor will select medications that will help fight the infection, reduce the temperature and restore the woman's well-being. Self-medication is strictly prohibited.

Temperature in cystitis in men

Inflammation of the bladder walls in male patients occurs much less frequently than in women. The symptoms of the disease are almost identical, and temperature in "male" cystitis is also likely. Temperature "jumps" within subfebrile temperature are signs of intoxication of the body. In addition to temperature, such signs are headaches, increased sweating, chills, loss of appetite. In the chronic form of the pathology, the symptoms are not so pronounced, and temperature indicators are often within normal limits.

Higher numbers on the thermometer almost always indicate that something is wrong in the body: either there is some other inflammatory process, or the development of complications has started - for example, pyelonephritis. Therefore, if the temperature values increase, it is better to immediately contact a urologist to find out the reasons for this condition.

Temperature with cystitis in a child

Cystitis in children often develops with weak immunity, frequent intestinal problems (for example, dysbacteriosis), vitamin deficiency, and congenital defects in the development of the urogenital tract.

In children of the first year of life, cystitis has a higher chance of being accompanied by a rise in temperature - up to 39°C. This is due to the unstable functioning of the immune and thermoregulatory systems in the child's body. The baby is restless, cries, sleep and appetite are disturbed.

At an older age, temperature during cystitis is possible, but its indicators usually do not go beyond subfebrile. Higher figures indicate the presence of another background disease, or the development of complications.

Don't rush and "bring down" the child's temperature before the doctor arrives. The doctor must see the full picture of the disease in order to prescribe adequate treatment.

Diagnostics cystitis fever

Determining the cause of increased temperature in cystitis is based on laboratory and clinical data, as well as on the results of echo and endoscopic diagnostics.

Basic tests for cystitis include a urine test. Thus, a general urine test indicates leukocyturia, erythrocyturia, proteinuria, the presence of mucus and uric acid salts. If cystitis is bacterial in nature, a bacterial culture will reveal a pronounced growth of pathogenic microorganisms.

The list of routine diagnostics for fever with cystitis in women necessarily includes a consultation with a gynecologist, microscopy, bacterioscopy and PCR testing of gynecological material.

Cystoscopy and cystography can also play an important role: these procedures allow us to determine the morphology of the bladder lesion, identify tumors, stones, foreign bodies, diverticula, ulcerative processes, fistulas. A biopsy can be performed at the same time.

Instrumental diagnostics also includes ultrasound diagnostics of both the bladder and internal organs.

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Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis can be carried out with the following disease states:

• chlamydia,trichomonas infection;
• intestinal infections;
• chronic infections of the urogenital tract;
• other infectious and inflammatory processes in the body.

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Treatment cystitis fever

Subfebrile numbers in most cases do not require additional prescription of any antipyretic drugs, since the basic treatment of cystitis is quite sufficient. If the temperature exceeds safe limits, and the doctor assumes the development of complications, then auxiliary therapy will be prescribed.

It is strongly recommended that you do not decide to take any medications on your own without your doctor’s consent.

What to do with a fever due to cystitis? The first thing is to consult your doctor. The second thing is to follow his instructions. In general, the tactics can be described as follows:

• subfebrile temperature in acute cystitis within 37-37.9°C usually does not require additional use of antipyretic medications;
• subfebrile temperature after the acute symptoms of cystitis have subsided usually does not require additional medication, but does require an urgent consultation with a doctor;
• a temperature above 38°C with cystitis is a reason to immediately visit a doctor. You should not try to “knock down” the indicators on your own.

Medicines for fever in cystitis

Paracetamol	An analgesic and antipyretic agent taken orally: 500-1000 mg every 4-6 hours, not exceeding the daily dose of 4000 mg. The recommended period of treatment with paracetamol is no more than three days in a row. Possible side effects: allergy, nausea, abdominal pain.
Ibuprofen	A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is successfully used for antipyretic purposes. Tablets are taken at 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours, but not more than 1200 mg per day. The treatment period is not advisable to continue for more than five days in a row, otherwise side effects may appear in the form of damage to the digestive tract (abdominal pain, diarrhea, gastritis, etc.).
Efferalgan	A drug based on paracetamol, a non-selective anti-inflammatory non-steroidal agent. An effervescent tablet of Efferalgan is dissolved in a glass of warm water. Usually taken 1-2 tablets up to 4 times a day, with an interval of at least 4 hours. The maximum possible daily dose for an adult is 8 tablets, or 4 g. Side effects are rare: nausea, fatigue, dizziness, allergy.
Panadol Active	A drug whose action is based on paracetamol, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory component. An additional ingredient, sodium bicarbonate, accelerates the onset of the effect of paracetamol by enhancing its absorption. Take the tablets orally, 500-1000 mg up to 3-4 times a day. The interval between doses is at least four hours. The duration of treatment is no more than three days in a row. Side effects: nausea, allergies, increased activity of liver enzymes.
Dolaren	Tablets based on paracetamol and sodium diclofenac (both components are representatives of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Dolaren is taken after meals, one tablet 2-3 times a day. Contraindication for use - age under six years. Side effects: drowsiness, gastrointestinal disorders, allergies.

How to bring down the temperature during cystitis?

In addition to drug treatment, it is very important to follow some recommendations regarding changes in the patient's lifestyle. Often, simple techniques help not only to normalize the temperature during cystitis, but also to prevent relapses of cystitis in the future.

Here is some advice that doctors give on this matter:

• During the treatment period, rest should be observed. Ideally, this is bed rest, or at least a significant limitation of motor activity.
• In no case should you overcool. Even at home, you should wear warm clothes and avoid drafts.
• It is important to eat right, exclude sweets, soda, spices, garlic, onions, vinegar.
• To speed up the removal of toxic substances and microbes from the body, you need to drink sufficient amounts of clean warm water.
• We must not forget about careful hygiene of the external genitalia.
• If the temperature is elevated, you should not additionally warm up the lower abdomen and, in particular, the bladder area.

To speed up the healing process, you can turn to traditional medicine recipes - but only after consulting a doctor. Traditional treatment should not contradict the general principles of the drug therapy being carried out.

Folk remedies

Home treatment of temperature during cystitis is not always justified, because this symptom may indicate the development of complications of the disease. Therefore, folk methods are appropriate to use only after talking with a doctor, when the reason for such an increase in temperature becomes known.

Traditional medicine includes the use of the following recipes:

• Cranberries have excellent anti-inflammatory properties. To eliminate elevated temperature during cystitis, you should take cranberry juice, which is prepared according to this recipe. Half a kilogram of cranberries are washed, mashed with a pestle, mixed with 250 ml of warm boiled water, kept for about half an hour, squeezed out. Drink throughout the day instead of tea, without restrictions. It is better not to add sugar to the juice (only a small amount of honey is allowed).
• Birch tar has a similar healing effect. To stabilize the temperature during cystitis, tar is taken orally, mixed with milk (dosage 5 drops per 200 ml of milk), daily on an empty stomach.
• Raspberry is a great remedy for stopping the development of the inflammatory process. To speed up the healing process from cystitis, you should eat fresh raspberries throughout the day, about 1 liter per day.
• Birch buds can be bought at a pharmacy, or collected independently during the swelling period (approximately from March to April). About 60-70 g of buds are poured with 600-700 ml of boiling water, left to infuse in a thermos for 30 minutes. The infusion is filtered and taken 4 times a day, 200 ml.

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Herbal treatment

Traditional healers can suggest using the following herbal recipes to help normalize temperature during cystitis:

• Dill seed is successfully used for cystitis due to its bactericidal properties. Dill (fennel) helps to "calm down" the inflammation and normalize the temperature. The infusion is prepared as follows. The seed is crushed (for example, in a mortar), poured with boiling water in the proportion of 1 tbsp. of seed per 200 ml of boiling water. The remedy is drunk 100 ml 5-6 times a day, for 7-14 days.
• Chamomile has good anti-inflammatory properties: 1 teaspoon of dried flowers is poured with 200 ml of boiling water, infused under a lid for 20 minutes. Filter and take the remedy 200 ml three times a day, between meals.
• Adult patients can be treated with bearberry. Pour 200 ml of boiling water over 1 tbsp of crushed bearberry leaf, leave for half an hour, filter. Take a small sip 5-6 times a day, 30 minutes after meals.
• Take 1 tbsp. of lingonberry leaves, pour 200 ml of boiling water, leave for an hour. Take 100 ml three times a day before meals.
• Take 1 tbsp of dried St. John's wort, pour 200 ml of boiling water, keep in a thermos for 15-20 minutes, cool and take 50-100 ml three times a day.

Homeopathy for normalizing temperature in cystitis

Drug treatment of cystitis, as well as elevated temperature associated with the disease, includes the prescription of anti-inflammatory and antibacterial (antifungal, antiviral) drugs. These drugs accelerate the elimination of infection from the body and relieve inflammation.

Additionally, you can take homeopathic remedies: they are selected and prescribed by a special homeopathic doctor. Independent attempts to stop the increase in temperature during cystitis are not welcomed.

The most popular homeopathic remedies used for fever due to cystitis are:

• Apis - this drug can be used when pus or blood appears in the urine, or when complications from the kidneys develop.
• Cantharis is prescribed if cystitis was caused by a sexually transmitted infection.
• Dulcamara is used for purulent and hemorrhagic complications of cystitis.
• Digitalis is suitable for eliminating severe inflammation.
• Pulsatilla is prescribed if a woman is bothered by fever due to cystitis during pregnancy.
• Terebintine is used if cystitis is complicated by pyelonephritis.

In severe cases, when the patient's health and life are at risk, traditional therapy cannot be replaced with homeopathy. Such drugs are also not used in cases of individual intolerance to the components of the product.

Complications and consequences

If the temperature is present for a long time during cystitis, then the following complications can be suspected:

• Acute pyelonephritis. The infection can move from the bladder to the kidneys along the ascending path. Or vice versa: the pathogen can move from the kidneys to the bladder. When pyelonephritis develops, the temperature can suddenly "soar" to 39-40°C. In addition, severe lumbar pain, weakness, nausea, and loss of appetite appear.
• Complicated course of cystitis. Acute cystitis can develop into a more severe form - for example, with a hemorrhagic, gangrenous, phlegmonous course. Such complications are accompanied by a sharp temperature "jump" to 39-40 ° C. Other symptoms include clouding of the urine, the appearance of foreign impurities in it (blood, pus, etc.).
• Paracystitis is an inflammation of the tissue surrounding the bladder. The patient complains of chills, severe weakness, increased sweating, and a temperature "jump" to 40°C. A swollen formation is palpated in the lower abdomen, and the release of urine and feces is accompanied by pain.

As you can see, fever during cystitis is not a harmless symptom at all, so doctor's intervention is justified in most cases. If you do not pay attention and ignore the painful symptom, you can get serious health problems.

How long does the temperature last with cystitis? Subfebrile indicators with adequate therapy should normalize in 2-3 days. If the temperature after cystitis persists and normalization does not occur, then a number of additional diagnostic procedures should be carried out in order to determine the true cause of hyperthermia.

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Prevention

You can prevent a rise in temperature during cystitis if you listen to the following advice:

• strictly follow all recommendations of your doctor;
• try to stay in bed and avoid getting too cold;
• do not forget to observe the rules of personal hygiene;
• try to empty your bladder in a timely manner;
• drink enough fluids daily;
• try to normalize bowel function;
• Do not make your own adjustments to your doctor's prescriptions.

In addition to all of the above, it is necessary to exclude sweet and spicy dishes, sodas and other irritating products from the menu. It is better to replace coffee with herbal teas, and carbonated water with regular drinking water.

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Forecast

If cystitis proceeds without complications, the prognosis can be considered favorable (except for cases of gangrenous and necrotic processes in the bladder). In most patients, subfebrile temperature with cystitis becomes only one of the symptoms of the disease and passes as the disease heals.

If the temperature during cystitis occurs against the background of disturbances in the outflow of urine, then the disease often becomes chronic, and the prognosis for complete healing becomes less favorable.

Temperature during cystitis is, in fact, a borderline condition that can act both as one of the signs of cystitis and as a symptom of the development of complications. Therefore, it is very important to carry out diagnostic measures in a timely manner. Such a step cannot be postponed: despite the illusory insignificance of the symptom, it often indicates the presence of serious problems in the body.

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