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What Causes Persistent Cough And Ear Congestion?
My husband has had a persistent cough for a little over one month now and his ears are very congested.
We visited the urgent care about a month ago and his left ear canal was red. The doctor prescribed an antibiotic and ear drop antibiotic. He still is not feeling well. His lungs are clear but it seems to be sinus or head congestion.
One other note: This all began after he was sanding spakling on sheet rock in our bathroom. He began to feel ill about that time. worried.
We visited the urgent care about a month ago and his left ear canal was red. The doctor prescribed an antibiotic and ear drop antibiotic. He still is not feeling well. His lungs are clear but it seems to be sinus or head congestion.
One other note: This all began after he was sanding spakling on sheet rock in our bathroom. He began to feel ill about that time. worried.
Wed, 15 Mar 2017
Hello,
Thanks for trusting Healthcaremagic!
I have gone through your query and I can understand your concerns.
The symptoms you have mentioned suggestive of pharyngitis(throat infection) along with sinusitis.It might be allergic in origin because all started following sanding.,
Since the cough is for over one month,a detailed evaluation is necessary to rule out other conditions.
Earache is quite common following because middle ear and throat are connected through a hollow tube called Eustachian tube and pain is most probably due to pressure changes.
I suggest you to consult a pulmonologist or a general physician and get the following things done:-
1.Start a short course of antibiotics for five to seven days.
2.Take a chest X-ray to rule out any lung conditions like pneumonia.
3.Sputum examination may be needed to rule out tuberculosis.
4.If you have pain of fever acetaminophe or ibuprofen can be tried.
5.Steam inhalation twice a day would provide symptomatic relief.
6.nasal decongestants like xylometazoline can be tried in case of blocked nostrils.
7.Do warm saline gargles or gargling with a chlorhexidine containing mouthwash.
8.Avoid smoke and dust
If the symptoms persist despite all these additional investigations like CT scan may be needed as described by your physician.
You don't need to worry too much because it can be cured completely with prompt antibiotic therapy.
Hope I have answered your query.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr.Shinas Hussain
Thanks for trusting Healthcaremagic!
I have gone through your query and I can understand your concerns.
The symptoms you have mentioned suggestive of pharyngitis(throat infection) along with sinusitis.It might be allergic in origin because all started following sanding.,
Since the cough is for over one month,a detailed evaluation is necessary to rule out other conditions.
Earache is quite common following because middle ear and throat are connected through a hollow tube called Eustachian tube and pain is most probably due to pressure changes.
I suggest you to consult a pulmonologist or a general physician and get the following things done:-
1.Start a short course of antibiotics for five to seven days.
2.Take a chest X-ray to rule out any lung conditions like pneumonia.
3.Sputum examination may be needed to rule out tuberculosis.
4.If you have pain of fever acetaminophe or ibuprofen can be tried.
5.Steam inhalation twice a day would provide symptomatic relief.
6.nasal decongestants like xylometazoline can be tried in case of blocked nostrils.
7.Do warm saline gargles or gargling with a chlorhexidine containing mouthwash.
8.Avoid smoke and dust
If the symptoms persist despite all these additional investigations like CT scan may be needed as described by your physician.
You don't need to worry too much because it can be cured completely with prompt antibiotic therapy.
Hope I have answered your query.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr.Shinas Hussain
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