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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Dry Cough
Question: Ten days ago, I had a pain in my left side/back, at the waist. Assumed it was a pulled muscle from weeding the garden. Felt depressed and tired. Assumed it was some personal troubles and overwhelming work. Six days ago, developed a fever that went up and down, as high as 102.5, but responded eventually to Ibuprofen each time. Appetite decreased each day. In the afternoon of the 4th day, went to clinic. They discovered a trace of blood in my urine, I was starting an occasional dry cough, so they did blood work and sent me off with a z-pack and instructions to have a chest x-ray (haven't done that yet, but they also said airflow in my lungs was good). Day 6 of the fever, it was still there, but my blood work came back normal. Fever is mostly gone, still coughing at times, dry and hard usually, but just a few times.
Brief Answer:
Pulmonary infection involving lung or pleura.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query at HCM.
I understand your concern and situation.
Firstly I need to tell you that things are not as serious as you are presuming. Firstly the trace of blood in urine may be non significant. According to your symptoms it appears that you had a pulmonary infection of lungs such as mild pneumonia or pleural cavity (pleuritis). I advise that you must get an XRay done on priority. If you are having even small sputum production then get gram staining, ZN staining and culture sensitivity for aerobic and anaerobic infection along with tests for mycobacteria(TB). It seems that you had bacterial infection which usually responds to antibiotics like azithromycin. So it is possible that you might have recovered and investigations might be negative. I suggest that you must complete your antibiotics course as prescribed for 14-21 days based on signs and symptoms. Eat protein rich healthy and balanced diet and drink plenty of water. Take rest and multivitamins supplements.
Hope I answered your query.
If no clarification then you can close the discussion and rate the answer. A review will be appreciated.
Dr. Sheetal Verma
Pulmonary infection involving lung or pleura.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query at HCM.
I understand your concern and situation.
Firstly I need to tell you that things are not as serious as you are presuming. Firstly the trace of blood in urine may be non significant. According to your symptoms it appears that you had a pulmonary infection of lungs such as mild pneumonia or pleural cavity (pleuritis). I advise that you must get an XRay done on priority. If you are having even small sputum production then get gram staining, ZN staining and culture sensitivity for aerobic and anaerobic infection along with tests for mycobacteria(TB). It seems that you had bacterial infection which usually responds to antibiotics like azithromycin. So it is possible that you might have recovered and investigations might be negative. I suggest that you must complete your antibiotics course as prescribed for 14-21 days based on signs and symptoms. Eat protein rich healthy and balanced diet and drink plenty of water. Take rest and multivitamins supplements.
Hope I answered your query.
If no clarification then you can close the discussion and rate the answer. A review will be appreciated.
Dr. Sheetal Verma
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Thank you, Doctor. None of what you said is really surprising. I had pneumonia once before, 30 years ago, didn't know I had it until the fever broke and I saw a doctor for the sudden sweating, of all things.
I've neglected to take my vitamins for several days, as well as not eating much at all; I even forgot my allergy meds a few times, which brought on a headache. I've been very well hydrated and am now trying to eat at least a small portion of something healthy every few hours. Also trying to stretch and walk a bit, but resting a lot.
The cough is non-productive, although it seems to loosen a bit after a dose of Ibuprofen. When I do cough, it's perhaps one actual cough and done. Mostly. I can take deep breaths most of the time without it triggering coughing.
Other than the additional information, my only question is "can one have an infection without a change in the WBC?" Thank you so very much!
I've neglected to take my vitamins for several days, as well as not eating much at all; I even forgot my allergy meds a few times, which brought on a headache. I've been very well hydrated and am now trying to eat at least a small portion of something healthy every few hours. Also trying to stretch and walk a bit, but resting a lot.
The cough is non-productive, although it seems to loosen a bit after a dose of Ibuprofen. When I do cough, it's perhaps one actual cough and done. Mostly. I can take deep breaths most of the time without it triggering coughing.
Other than the additional information, my only question is "can one have an infection without a change in the WBC?" Thank you so very much!
Brief Answer:
Yes it is possible.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Sometimes when blood tests are done in initial phase if illness then WBC can be normal or WBC may be on lower side when infection is mild. It also depends upon reliability of laboratory. Your doctor treated you on similar lines suspecting mild infection. According to me also you had some mild infection.
Take care
Yes it is possible.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Sometimes when blood tests are done in initial phase if illness then WBC can be normal or WBC may be on lower side when infection is mild. It also depends upon reliability of laboratory. Your doctor treated you on similar lines suspecting mild infection. According to me also you had some mild infection.
Take care
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
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