Does bronchiectasis cause fever?

Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
Updated on September 05, 2024
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Patients with bronchiectasis generally do not have a fever. However, if there is an acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis or if there is an additional infection, they might develop a fever. In cases where patients with bronchiectasis exhibit a fever, it generally indicates an infection or that their condition may be more severe compared to those without a fever. Under such circumstances, anti-infection treatment might be required. Moreover, the duration of the fever and its maximum intensity can reflect the severity of the infection to a certain extent.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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How long can one live with bronchiectasis?

This question is actually very difficult to answer because no doctor can predict exactly how long their patient will live. They can only provide a general prognosis of the disease. Bronchiectasis is relatively a benign condition. The prognosis for most patients depends mainly on the severity of the bronchiectasis and their comorbidities, among other factors. Generally, if a patient’s bronchiectasis is not very severe and mild, and does not affect lung function or is not compounded by other underlying diseases, they might experience long-term, recurrent coughing and sputum production, requiring long-term hospitalization. However, if they do not experience acute complications associated with bronchiectasis, such as asphyxiation caused by hemoptysis, then actually they can live for a long time. There are many patients who are in their seventies or eighties and frequently admitted to the hospital. When asked how long they have had bronchiectasis, their condition might span over forty or fifty years, or even longer. This means that patients with bronchiectasis can live for a long time, provided their condition is relatively stable and they don’t suffer from acute complications such as severe bleeding or asphyxiation. However, if the bronchiectasis is severe, or unfortunately, even if the bronchiectasis isn’t very severe, if a patient suffers from major hemoptysis, it can cause asphyxiation rapidly leading to death within minutes. Therefore, it is impossible for doctors to predict exactly how long each patient will live.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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Symptoms of bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis exhibits many symptoms, but the most common are chronic cough and sputum production. The amount of sputum in bronchiectasis can vary greatly from person to person, and to some extent, it can reflect the severity of the condition. Some patients may have significant coughing and sputum production, with sputum amounts reaching over one hundred milliliters per day. In others, the condition may be more stable, with only a few milliliters of sputum per day. Additionally, patients with bronchiectasis may experience hemoptysis, which often recurs and can manifest as blood-streaked sputum, minor bleeding, or sudden severe bleeding. Significant bleeding can be particularly dangerous, potentially leading to death within minutes. Bronchiectasis can also cause recurrent lung infections and chronic long-term infection, which may be accompanied by fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, anemia, and other symptoms.

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Written by Yang Feng
Pulmonology
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What medicine is used for bronchiectasis?

Bronchiectasis is particularly common clinically. The choice of medication for bronchiectasis needs to be determined based on the specific conditions of the patient. Generally, the aggravation of bronchiectasis is caused by recurrent infections, so controlling infections is fundamental in treatment. As for the application of antibiotics, the principle we follow is to select medications based on the different bacterial spectrums in different regions, with the most scientific method being the use of sensitive antibiotics identified through sputum bacterial culture and drug susceptibility tests. Additionally, we also use expectorants like ambroxol and bromhexine. If there is concurrent respiratory distress or a decline in lung function, inhalants such as budesonide-formoterol powder may also be used.

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Written by Yang Feng
Pulmonology
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Can people with bronchiectasis eat lamb?

Patients with bronchiectasis can eat mutton, as in traditional Chinese medicine, mutton is considered a warming and tonifying food. It generally benefits conditions like cold-induced cough, chronic bronchitis, and deficiency-cold asthma. Patients with bronchiectasis, who often suffer from repeated lung infections and have lower immune function, are generally weaker, so consuming an appropriate amount of mutton can be beneficial. However, it should not be consumed in excess as mutton can cause heatiness or indigestion, which are particularly detrimental for individuals with bronchiectasis.

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Written by Zou Zhong Lan
Pulmonology
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How is bronchiectasis treated?

The treatment of bronchiectasis mainly includes medical treatment and surgical treatment. Medical treatment primarily aims to control infection and promote the drainage of sputum. Antibiotics are crucial for controlling infections, initially based on empirical therapy. Adjustments can be made accordingly if results from sputum culture and drug sensitivity tests are available. Secondly, to promote sputum drainage, we can use postural drainage or mechanical vibration to expel sputum. Expectorant medications such as ambroxol and bromhexine, or nebulized inhalation therapy may also be utilized. Thirdly, bronchodilators can be used to relieve asthma symptoms and ease the patient's discomfort. If the patient has hemoptysis, hemostatic treatment should be provided. Surgical treatment is primarily considered for patients with localized bronchiectasis and when medical treatment is ineffective, in which case surgical resection may be considered.