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What Causes Dry Cough, Tremors, Chills And Weakness When Diagnosed With Pneumonia?
Question: Hi,
This is going to be lengthy .
*My Dad had been diagnosed with pneumonia because he had shortness of breath,fever that wouldn't go,dry cough,shaking chills and weakness.
*A chest x ray was taken and ultra sonogram of thorax region was done.
*Most of his blood work were normal,and hence when asked doctor told it was likely viral pneumonia
*After that he was admitted for about a 6 days and given antibiotics.
*During the treatment he had cough,but no sputum for the most part.
*After 6 days he was discharged as fever didn't return and breathlessness problem resolved for the most part
*Now after around 3 weeks he has no fever ,breathlessness.He is able to sleep well and eat well,but fatigue and dry cough still persists .
*The latest chest xray came back as normal,and why even after that dry cough is there?
My question is ,on research i found out that pneumonia produces wet cough and lot of sputum.
But my dad is not having that ,even in the hospital after treatment.
So I'm worried if it is pneumonia..and not something more serious.
If yes ,is it ok to have only dry cough and not wet cough?and how long before it resides.
And finally any suggestions on how to make sure that it doesn't come again and reduce it
(FYI abdomen scan,blood work were all fine,It was diagnosed via xray )
Thanks, XXXXXXX
This is going to be lengthy .
*My Dad had been diagnosed with pneumonia because he had shortness of breath,fever that wouldn't go,dry cough,shaking chills and weakness.
*A chest x ray was taken and ultra sonogram of thorax region was done.
*Most of his blood work were normal,and hence when asked doctor told it was likely viral pneumonia
*After that he was admitted for about a 6 days and given antibiotics.
*During the treatment he had cough,but no sputum for the most part.
*After 6 days he was discharged as fever didn't return and breathlessness problem resolved for the most part
*Now after around 3 weeks he has no fever ,breathlessness.He is able to sleep well and eat well,but fatigue and dry cough still persists .
*The latest chest xray came back as normal,and why even after that dry cough is there?
My question is ,on research i found out that pneumonia produces wet cough and lot of sputum.
But my dad is not having that ,even in the hospital after treatment.
So I'm worried if it is pneumonia..and not something more serious.
If yes ,is it ok to have only dry cough and not wet cough?and how long before it resides.
And finally any suggestions on how to make sure that it doesn't come again and reduce it
(FYI abdomen scan,blood work were all fine,It was diagnosed via xray )
Thanks, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Possibility of post infectious bronchitis is more in his case.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your father's situation and problem.
Pneumonia causes inflammatory changes in lung.
And hence it can cause bronchitis. It is known as post infectious bronchitis.
So better to consult pulmonologist and get done
1. Clinical examination of respiratory system.
2. PFT (Pulmonary Function Test).
PFT is must for the diagnosis of bronchitis. It will also tell you about severity of the disease.
And treatment of bronchitis is based on severity only.
He may need inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS).
Usually, recovery is expected after 1-2 months of starting inhaled treatment.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your father. Thanks.
Possibility of post infectious bronchitis is more in his case.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your father's situation and problem.
Pneumonia causes inflammatory changes in lung.
And hence it can cause bronchitis. It is known as post infectious bronchitis.
So better to consult pulmonologist and get done
1. Clinical examination of respiratory system.
2. PFT (Pulmonary Function Test).
PFT is must for the diagnosis of bronchitis. It will also tell you about severity of the disease.
And treatment of bronchitis is based on severity only.
He may need inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS).
Usually, recovery is expected after 1-2 months of starting inhaled treatment.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your father. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
Pneumonia usually causes wet cough.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
Pneumonia usually causes wet cough. But viral infection causes dry cough.
And post infectious bronchitis also causes dry cough.
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 father. Thanks.
Pneumonia usually causes wet cough.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
Pneumonia usually causes wet cough. But viral infection causes dry cough.
And post infectious bronchitis also causes dry cough.
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 father. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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