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What Causes Fatigue, Dry Cough, Night Sweats And Low Temperature?

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Posted on Thu, 28 Apr 2016
Question: I have been a very healthy 72 year old man. Annual cardiovascular exams are excellent. Normally I exercise 5day a week for at least 2 hours if not more. Onset of current symptoms was 1/6/16 beginning with mild flu like symptoms (had boosted flu vaccine) but no sore throat or swollen glands nor chest congestion. Early symptoms subsided except fatigue. I attempted to return to winter activity of 4-6 miles of cross country skiing per day. Haven't come close. Remaining symptoms are: no stamina, fatigue, episodes of dry cough and night sweats plus low grade temp (99.9). All tests with exception of two blood panels have shown everything is normal. The panels do indicate the presence of some sort of infection. Seeing an ID specialist in March.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Your symptoms are cumulatively non-specific and will require elaborate eval

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Your symptoms do display a strong possibility of this being an infection, but I would also like to state that your symptoms cumulatively are still very vague and do not point towards any specific infection, but a long list of them. Let me go ahead and list some of them for your reference sir:

+Viral pharyngitis
+Chronic sinusitis
+Bronchitis
+Asthma
+Valley fever
+Cyptococcosis
+Laryngitis
+Rheumatoid arthritis
+Gastroesophageal reflux disease
+Pneumonia
+Acute stress reaction
+Rheumatic fever
+Allergic reactions
and a host of other conditions.

So as you can see, there are a number of conditions on the list and so the only way to narrow down the search to find the cause for your symptoms, is to meet a specialist who can work more closely with you, and in my opinion an infection specialist would be perfect. I hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (21 hours later)
Dr. Kahn, Thank you for your thorough reply. It validates the steps we are taking that include a referral to an ENT Specialist and an Infectious Disease Specialist. I can say with confidence that a number of the conditions you listed have been eliminated.

Do you have any suggestions on what directions to take in terms of medications? I realize that is a tough question given the lack of a definitive diagnosis.

Thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Not much sadly without a diagnosis sir, you are right

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.

May be at the moment you can start off with the following:

+Multivitamins
+Bronchodilators to help you breathe better
+Anti-hismtaines
+Antacids
+Drink plenty of water
+Avoid having 2-3 large meals, and instead have 5-6 larger meals
+Avoid overeating
+Avoid stress
+Avoid fatty food/oily food/fried food/spicy food

But I really won't be able to provide you any direction on more effective medication without a concrete diagnosis sir, I am sure you understand, as that would be like shooting in the dark.

Best wishes,

Dr. Shoaib Khan.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shoaib Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 9409 Questions

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What Causes Fatigue, Dry Cough, Night Sweats And Low Temperature?

Brief Answer: Your symptoms are cumulatively non-specific and will require elaborate eval Detailed Answer: Hello sir and welcome. Thank you for writing to us. I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Your symptoms do display a strong possibility of this being an infection, but I would also like to state that your symptoms cumulatively are still very vague and do not point towards any specific infection, but a long list of them. Let me go ahead and list some of them for your reference sir: +Viral pharyngitis +Chronic sinusitis +Bronchitis +Asthma +Valley fever +Cyptococcosis +Laryngitis +Rheumatoid arthritis +Gastroesophageal reflux disease +Pneumonia +Acute stress reaction +Rheumatic fever +Allergic reactions and a host of other conditions. So as you can see, there are a number of conditions on the list and so the only way to narrow down the search to find the cause for your symptoms, is to meet a specialist who can work more closely with you, and in my opinion an infection specialist would be perfect. I hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help. Best wishes.