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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Cough, Feverish Feeling, Headaches And Body Pain
Question: Hello, my name is XXXXXXX I asked a question the other day about a lingering cough that wont go away. I went back to the doctors the other day, and I told the doctor about what's been happening, and she asked me all the normal questions, such as Are you feeling feverish?, Any aches and pains?, headches?, coughing up mucus? etc. I said yes to all of them, although I havent had any fever. She says that she thinks its bronchitis that may last up to 6 weeks. I also told her that it is worse at night time, and I havent been sleeping properly and it takes me a while to get to sleep. I am also noticing that I feel there is something stuck in my throat all the time, and am coughing up mucus on occasion. The doctor put me on a medication called Clarac. Im just worried because this is my fourth lot of antibiotics and the cough seems to still be lingering. It is a deep chesty cough with no blood or chest pain. She advised that I may need a chest xray next week if it dosent clear up, and now I am feeling scared that they will find something. Should I be worried?
Brief Answer:
Throat, sputum culture. Cough suppressant. PND.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. You may discontinue the antibiotics at present and get a throat swab. In addition, a sputum examination for three consecutive days can be done. An Absolute Eosinophil Count may be done.
2. I don't see a cough suppressant in the list of medication, and hence getting a cough suppressant containing levodropropizine or dextromethorphan will help. If there is still no relief, a cough syrup with codiene will work. These medications require a prescription by a doctor.
3. Your symptoms sound like a Post Nasal Drip (PND). Acid reflux will add to the lingering cough. Cough from these causes is usually worse at night. These medications should be added along with an anti-allergic, mucolytic (such as cetirizine and ambroxol) medication.
4. A post viral cough can linger on for weeks. It may also subside on its own. Therefore home remedies such as honey based mixtures, turmeric in warm milk, warm fluids and keeping warm in the cold season will help cure it sooner.
5. At your age the chest X-ray is unlikely to be abnormal. Hence there is no cause for worry. Get the Chest X-ray done if required. It is more important to get a Videolaryngoscopy (throat examination) done.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Throat, sputum culture. Cough suppressant. PND.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. You may discontinue the antibiotics at present and get a throat swab. In addition, a sputum examination for three consecutive days can be done. An Absolute Eosinophil Count may be done.
2. I don't see a cough suppressant in the list of medication, and hence getting a cough suppressant containing levodropropizine or dextromethorphan will help. If there is still no relief, a cough syrup with codiene will work. These medications require a prescription by a doctor.
3. Your symptoms sound like a Post Nasal Drip (PND). Acid reflux will add to the lingering cough. Cough from these causes is usually worse at night. These medications should be added along with an anti-allergic, mucolytic (such as cetirizine and ambroxol) medication.
4. A post viral cough can linger on for weeks. It may also subside on its own. Therefore home remedies such as honey based mixtures, turmeric in warm milk, warm fluids and keeping warm in the cold season will help cure it sooner.
5. At your age the chest X-ray is unlikely to be abnormal. Hence there is no cause for worry. Get the Chest X-ray done if required. It is more important to get a Videolaryngoscopy (throat examination) done.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Thank you for your response, you've put my mind more at ease. Do you think there's any chance it could be lung cancer because I am a worrier. Do you have to be coughing up blood to have it? I've heard of people that don't smoke that have got it. Also, I have asthma could it be related? And at times I wheeze.
Brief Answer:
This is unlikely to be lung cancer.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Almost all cases (90%) of lung cancer are due to long term exposure to tobacco smoke.
2. There are many other symptoms of lung cancers besides coughing up blood. In addition, coughing up blood can be seen in many other conditions not related to cancer.
3. The wheezing and asthma will be related to the PND and allergy.
4. After the results of the investigations are normal, lung cancer can be conclusively ruled out. Normal results should ease your worries.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
This is unlikely to be lung cancer.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Almost all cases (90%) of lung cancer are due to long term exposure to tobacco smoke.
2. There are many other symptoms of lung cancers besides coughing up blood. In addition, coughing up blood can be seen in many other conditions not related to cancer.
3. The wheezing and asthma will be related to the PND and allergy.
4. After the results of the investigations are normal, lung cancer can be conclusively ruled out. Normal results should ease your worries.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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