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Suggest Treatment For Cough And Cold Along With Fever And Headaches

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Posted on Tue, 6 Oct 2015
Question: Hi, i've been sick since Saturday with what started off as a mild cold and cough, intensified into a fever, and then ended up with sinus pain, sinus headaches, and a stuffed nose. I have been using basic stuff like solmucol, ibuprofen+paracetamol, advil cold and sinus.....but the fever persists. I have a strip of Cifran with me, so wondering if i should just start the course because there is clearly an infection and i may be vulnerable to secondary infections as well. Caveat in all of this is that i travel very frequently internationally and am now in NYC for two weeks, but thats why i am even considering anti-biotics......
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (39 minutes later)
Brief answer...you can take CIFRAN 
Detailed answer...
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
I have read your query and understand your concern.
Although not a first line drug of choice for treating sinus infections,CIFRAN can be used to treat it.
Although sinusitis is mostly caused by virus and antibiotic is needed only if presence of infection is confirmed,you may start the CIFRAN because you feel that infection is present and probably difficult for you to consult a doctor.
CIFRAN should be used in dose of 500 mg twice a day for 10 days.
Continue other medications as being used by you.
In addition, do steam inhalation twice a day because it is a very effective treatment in curing symptoms of sinusitis.
Avoid cold drinks and consume more of hot liquids.
I hope it helps,however you are most welcome to revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (1 hour later)
Dr XXXXXXX
Thank you very much for your response. I have started on Cifran, though the downside is that i only have 5 days worth of the medication :( I think that was the dosage recommended by a doc in XXXXXXX the last time i had anti-biotics, which i try and avoid entirely if at all possible.

I have been steaming my face in the morning and evening, and also using saline sprays 2-3 times a day. And i just got some more Advil cold/sinus (with pseudoephedrine), which seems to really help in bringing down my sinus headaches. I am also avoiding all cold drinks. Is there anything else i should watch out for, or anything i can do to hasten a recovery? i feel terrible about this because i am on a work trip and have had to cancel three full days of meetings unfortunately.

i agree on the viral vs bacterial basis of the infection, but since my phlegm was dark green in the mornings, i assumed there is an infection of some sort and if at least i can prevent any secondary, thats useful enough. Of course, that still leaves the fatigue which i don't know what to do about....

Warm regads, XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (8 hours later)
Hello,
Green discharge definitely indicates infection and so use of CIFRAN is pretty much all right.
Try to arrange for dosage of CIFRAN for 10 days because 5 days would be insufficient.
Fatigue is clearly because of infection and shall be all right gradually.
Since you already are taking sufficient care and doing sufficiently ,there is nothing else which can be advised to you.
Carry on with what you are doing.Steam inhalation and taking hot drinks really help you a lot.
Kake sure to drink enough water to prevent dehydration.
Best of luck
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (37 hours later)
Dr XXXXXXX
Thanks once again. Actually my condition worsened, so had to go into see a doctor, who diagnosed me with bronchitis and put me on Levonquin for 10 days, among a range of medicines. Finally, the medications seem to be kicking in and i am actually feeling much better today.

Thanks once again for your time and help. I really appreciate it.

Warm regards, XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (9 hours later)
Hello,
It is good that you have been seen by a doctor who has put you on Levofloxacin and you have started feeling better.
Must continue the medicine for full 10 days as advised.
Best of luck
Thanks
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1978

Answered : 6704 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Cough And Cold Along With Fever And Headaches

Brief answer...you can take CIFRAN  Detailed answer... Hello, Thanks for the query. I have read your query and understand your concern. Although not a first line drug of choice for treating sinus infections,CIFRAN can be used to treat it. Although sinusitis is mostly caused by virus and antibiotic is needed only if presence of infection is confirmed,you may start the CIFRAN because you feel that infection is present and probably difficult for you to consult a doctor. CIFRAN should be used in dose of 500 mg twice a day for 10 days. Continue other medications as being used by you. In addition, do steam inhalation twice a day because it is a very effective treatment in curing symptoms of sinusitis. Avoid cold drinks and consume more of hot liquids. I hope it helps,however you are most welcome to revert to me for any further query. Best of luck Thanks