Question: Hello,
My husband, XXXXXXX has had an upper respiratory infection going on 6 weeks. It started with cold like symptoms and a sore throat. We went to a med stop when the sore throat lasted more than a week. At that time no medication was given but he continued to rest. Then , his ear became plugged and he still was coughing and had cold symptoms. He went to a ear nose and throat specialist who said he's lost hearing in one of his ears due to nerve damage. The doctor started XXXXXXX on high dose of prednisone and he has an appointment this Tuesday. In the meantime, he has a persistent cough and his lungs are very tight. XXXXXXX is a heathy athletic sixty-two year old who normally is blessed with excellent health. He did have a successful knee replacement surgery five months ago and is doing well with that. My question are many as this is new terrain to us. Should he have an x-ray for walking pneumonia and or is it possible he has valley fever and should be tested for that? What should we do next? At this point, we are both quite concerned that he is not better, and in reality seems to be getting worse. Sorry for the long email and we are open to your thoughts.
Thank you, XXXXXXX

Thank you, that makes sense. XXXXXXX has had chills and felt clammy at times during this ordeal, but hasn't had a fever so that's good for the Valley Fever possibility. We will make an appointment with his regular doctor to request the pulmonary function test. And will follow up with a pulmonologist if the X-ray results and chest issues are not resolved.

Thanks again, XXXXXXX