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Suggest Treatment For Chills, Persistent Headaches And Cough
Question: My son has had recurring symptoms since he was 3 yes old , he's now 20. He gets same symptoms in same order every month or so . he gets a temperature with chills , persistent headache , burning sensation in his eyes and then a croupy cough and asthma symptoms. The only medication that helps is prednisone but one doctor has said he has been on these meds far too long . He's been prescribed nasal sprays because he sometimes looseshis sense of taste but did not find any benefit. Hospital has been saying since he was 3yrs old that its viral and that he'll grow out of it . He hasn't and can barely function at work or has to take to his bed , but now refuses to go to docs or hospital as he feels its a waste of time. No one has ever taken bloods etc , I do wonder whether its a some form of vascullitis orssomething similar .
Brief Answer:
Explained
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome
I appreciate your concern.
Initially Chest X ray, ABGs, PFTs, blood counts, ESR and metabolic profile should be done for general assessment and ruling out any other associated suspected pathology like vasculitis etc
The asthma severity is assessed by FEV1 , if greater than 80, its mild if less than 60 then the asthma is severe and treatment is adjusted accordingly.
Long acting beta agonists like salmetrol and steroids like budesonide/beclomethasone should be supplemented by LTD4 Antagonists like montelukast. The montelukast should be continued 10 mg daily at night for atleast 6 months. Acute exacerbations would require systemic steroids and supplemental O2 with emergency support available.
In resistant asthma cases FDA recently approved monoclonal antibody mepolizumab. You may discuss these options with your doctor.
Let me know if you have any query
wishing you best of health
thanks
Explained
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome
I appreciate your concern.
Initially Chest X ray, ABGs, PFTs, blood counts, ESR and metabolic profile should be done for general assessment and ruling out any other associated suspected pathology like vasculitis etc
The asthma severity is assessed by FEV1 , if greater than 80, its mild if less than 60 then the asthma is severe and treatment is adjusted accordingly.
Long acting beta agonists like salmetrol and steroids like budesonide/beclomethasone should be supplemented by LTD4 Antagonists like montelukast. The montelukast should be continued 10 mg daily at night for atleast 6 months. Acute exacerbations would require systemic steroids and supplemental O2 with emergency support available.
In resistant asthma cases FDA recently approved monoclonal antibody mepolizumab. You may discuss these options with your doctor.
Let me know if you have any query
wishing you best of health
thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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