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What Causes Persistent Irritating Cough?

Posted on Mon, 15 Jun 2015

Question: I have been having a cough that is irritating my throat. My head hurts every time I cough. My chest is a little congested. I am so tired no matter how much I sleep and rest. I have sinus pressure and feel a little off balanced when I walk. Is this just a bad cold or possibly the flu? Do I need to see a dr?

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please provide more info

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

do you have fever? How long has this been going on?
Do you have headache when not coughing? Runny nose and congestion?

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (4 minutes later)

I had a low grade on and off fever for a couple of days. it has been going on for 4 days. more sinus pressure pain rather than a headache when I am not coughing. I have had somewhat of a runny nose, some nasal congestion, but not much. My main pain is sinus pain and the exhaustion is really wiping me out.

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
So this is probably sinusitis

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the input!

Sinus pressure, nasal congestion and runny nose with low grade fever (or higher) is usually caused by sinusitis. Sinusitis commonly follows an upper respiratory tract infection with runny nose and congestion but not always, particularly if you've had a history of sinusitis.

Sinusitis with intense symptoms or high fever has to be treated with antibiotics. You should consult your doctor for that, because there are a few choices depending on the patient history and recent antibiotic exposure. Amoxicillin with clavulanate is a common choice among them.

Kind Regards!

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar