Brief Answer: Get the tests and call doctor at home if possible Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome to HCM! I have read the query and can see that you are concerned about your nephew, who is chronic alcoholic and now has severe cold like symptoms but dosent what to see a doctor. from my clinic experince I can say that he need some urgent blood test- liver function, kidney function, lipid profile, blood sugar, complete blood count. if possible, get an ultrasound abdomen. These tests will tell about his liver status clearly. Also, get his blood pressure checked. For his present condition, I think it will be good if he takes a course of antibiotic, may be cefixime 200 mg twice a days for 3-5 days, along with adequate water and good food. he should at least cut down his drinking for some time if can't stop it altogether. With concomitant drinking - the dugs donot give desired effect. He should be given multivitamin, espically Vit. B1, 100 mg twice daily ( as it is reduced in people who drink alcohol) or may be a combination of various vitamins in tablet / capsule form ( like- benfomet plus, or rejunex OD) along with injectable multi vitamins ( inj. neuromark , etc) , as already he had been operated on his backache. He dosent want to see a doctor, but may be you can call someone at home, may be a physician or preffrably a neurologist. Please get the tests and if possible, call a doctor once, it will help him a lot. Do feel free to ask more questions for clarification Dr. Manisha Gopal MD Psychiatry

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