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Suggest Treatment For Laryngitis

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Posted on Tue, 6 Oct 2015
Question: My husband, age 67, developed laryngitis about 11 weeks ago. He went to his PCP after about 8 weeks of symptoms (just hoarse voice), and was told there was no evidence of bacterial infection and that there was a virus going around that could last up to 12 weeks. At that point he did not have a cough. My husband got worse and went back to the doctor in another several days. At that time the doc said it had developed into bronchitis, and prescribed a Z-pack (Azithromycin) and an inhaler. We also made an appt with a laryngologist but it's not until Oct 5th. My husband finished the Z-pack Monday morning, and we babysat our 2 month old grandson on Tuesday night. We were told that whatever my husband had, he was no longer contagious after the z-pack, even though he still had laryngitis. However, since he still had symptoms, we called the PCP Wed afternoon to ask him to advocate for us getting into the ENT sooner, but he, instead, called in Rx for prednisone (30mg) and a doxycycline hyclate, which my husband started this morning (Thurs). The baby also, coincidentally, got his first DPT shot on Wed morning. THEN on Wed in the middle of the night (last night) my husband was awakened by a terrible cough which sounded to me like whooping cough. I Googled videos of the sound of pertussis in adults, and it does sound like that. I looked up information on the CDC website and it looks like it might be advisable for the baby's pediatrician to administer post exposure prophylactic antibiotics, but no one seems concerned except me. I would never be able to live with myself if our ignorance or not enough assertiveness harmed our grand baby. The CDC also said that even though the extended family are all up to date on their immunizations, and we on our boosters, it might not be enough to protect the infant. The local health department said that it would be a good idea for my husband to have a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) nasal swab, but our local urgent care nurse had never even heard of it. The urgent care doctor said that after the z-pack it would come back negative anyway. However, I called the CDC and the nurse there said that since my husband developed the "whoop" AFTER finishing the z-pack, that might not be true. I don't know who to believe or whether I should be more assertive and proactive or just relax. What do you advise?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No need to worry much for pertussis, instead get done chest x ray and PFT.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
No need to worry much for pertusis in your husband's case.
In my opinion, you should get done chest x ray and PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) in his case.
Chest x ray is needed to rule out lung infection.
PFT will diagnose bronchitis if it is present.
PFT will also tell you about severity of the disease and treatment of bronchitis is based on severity only.
Post viral bronchitis and lung infection are common.
So we need to rule out both these in his case.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your husband. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (7 hours later)
What about any risk to our grandson?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Risk is there to your grandson.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Bronchitis is commonly caused by infection and it is transmitted through droplet infection while coughing, sneezing, laughing etc.
So possibility of transmission to your grandson I'd high.
So better to ask your husband to wear face mask to prevent transmission of infection.
Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wishing good health to your husband. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)
Even if my husband had completed the course of Azithromycin 1.5 days before we babysat?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
If he is symptomatic than better to wear mask.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
I can understand your concern.
If he is having symptoms than he is infectious even after taking azithromycin. So better to wear mask.
Buy if he is improving in symptoms than no need to worry.
Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wishing good health to your husband.
Thanks.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Drkaushal85

Pulmonologist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 15005 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Laryngitis

Brief Answer: No need to worry much for pertussis, instead get done chest x ray and PFT. Detailed Answer: Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic. I can understand your concern. No need to worry much for pertusis in your husband's case. In my opinion, you should get done chest x ray and PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) in his case. Chest x ray is needed to rule out lung infection. PFT will diagnose bronchitis if it is present. PFT will also tell you about severity of the disease and treatment of bronchitis is based on severity only. Post viral bronchitis and lung infection are common. So we need to rule out both these in his case. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your husband. Thanks.