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Suggest Treatment For Severe Viral Infection

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Posted on Mon, 30 Jan 2017
Question: Hi I think I have a virus. I am wondering what I should do to get rid of it?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
many different viral infections

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

You may mean the cough/cold or flu virus by having a viral infection but you may want to consider identifying specific symptoms since there are a lot of viral infections- flu, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis is caused by certain liver viruses, mono, herpes, chicken pox, HIV etc.

These are only a few of the possible viral infections

The cough/cold virus is treated with medications to help decrease the symptoms but there is to get rid of the cold though medications are used to help get rid of the flu.
Both of these may present with fatigue, decreased appetite, sore throat, nasal symptoms, coughing, fever.
Joint and muscle pain may occur with the flu

Fluids , rest are general measures for viral illnesses and medication is given for specific symptoms- anti histamine/decongestant for nasal symptoms, cough suppressant for a cough.
Mucolytic (medication to help break up a cough)- if it is wet eg guaifenesin or bisolvan or mucomyst.

If you are feeling lethargic and fatigued, then fluids and rest are important.

As mentioned since the symptoms are not indicated , it would be difficult to pinpoint if there is a viral infection and the specific cause of it.

I hope this helps,feel free to ask anything else
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (1 hour later)
I'm sorry I should have given you more simtons for a few months now my head has been very itchy no sores just itchy the beginning of November I had very sore stomach then it went up into my chest and I got a bad cough with lots of flem i went to the hospital November 21 they said I had a chest infection they put me on antibiotic for five days it seemed to help but didn't cure it I still had the bad cough it did go away after a while I went back to the hospital on December 5 I was badly cons taped they gave me a sapitory but I ended up have to insert my finger in my rectum to realize my stool it worked but my bowel was VERY sore. The doctor at the hospital gave me a perscription senokot. They helped for a while but I was told to ease of them because my body would get so it depended on them. I am still having bowel movement issues. December 28th and January 1st ended up having to insert my finger again and use ice cubes it shrink my hemroids because they were so sore. January 4th a number of times throughout the day I had a sharp pain in my upper left hand side of my back it felt like a needle. January 5th I was eating an apple and I could not swallow it I had a bad pain in my chest even to swallow my spit for about half an hour then it was ok and I finished my apple. I'm sorry to carry on for so long but I had to fill you in on all my problems thank you very much
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
fluids, fiber and activity

Detailed Answer:
HI

Constipation can be very bothersome. As your doctors stated, laxatives cannot be used for too long because the body does become dependent on them.

Treatment of constipation: (1) fluids, fluids , fluids- at least 8 to 10 glasses of fluids daily NOT including any caffeine drinks such as coke or coffee or alcohol

Caffeine and alcohol cause the body to pass out fluids.

(2) as much activity as possible. Physical activity helps with constipation

(3)fiber- fiber from your diet and fiber supplements. Diet- fruits, vegetables, seeds such as flax seed, whole grain foods.
Fiber supplements such as metamucil, benefiber or cetrucil- use one to three times daily depending on how your body responds

If the constipation continues despite using a lot of fiber and fluids then you may need to see your doctor to make sure that there are no other causes of your constipation eg thyroid disease, side effect of medication, high calcium, low potassium, mass in the bowel, low magnesium or nerve damage

Please feel free to ask anything else
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Viral Infection

Brief Answer: many different viral infections Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic You may mean the cough/cold or flu virus by having a viral infection but you may want to consider identifying specific symptoms since there are a lot of viral infections- flu, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis is caused by certain liver viruses, mono, herpes, chicken pox, HIV etc. These are only a few of the possible viral infections The cough/cold virus is treated with medications to help decrease the symptoms but there is to get rid of the cold though medications are used to help get rid of the flu. Both of these may present with fatigue, decreased appetite, sore throat, nasal symptoms, coughing, fever. Joint and muscle pain may occur with the flu Fluids , rest are general measures for viral illnesses and medication is given for specific symptoms- anti histamine/decongestant for nasal symptoms, cough suppressant for a cough. Mucolytic (medication to help break up a cough)- if it is wet eg guaifenesin or bisolvan or mucomyst. If you are feeling lethargic and fatigued, then fluids and rest are important. As mentioned since the symptoms are not indicated , it would be difficult to pinpoint if there is a viral infection and the specific cause of it. I hope this helps,feel free to ask anything else