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What Is The Cause And Treatment For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection?

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Posted on Thu, 26 Feb 2015
Question: I am still having breathing problems after many negative test results. My PFT test was negative. I just had an echco and nuclear stress test. I have 2 stents in my LAD but these recent tests show all is ok. I had a CT scan of my lung which shows no blood clots. These breathing problems came on halfway through a 6 week bout with an upper respiratory infection. I am so frustrated and scared. I tried taking Advair HFA 2 nights in a row. I feel like it made it worse. Ive taken PRO AIR HFA a few times and it doesn't help. Im sensitive to a lot of these meds with Tacycardia symptoms.

Just came back from my Primary Care Dr. It seems Im being diagnosed with Reactive Airway Disease brought on by my long Upper Respiratory Infection. Her and the Pulmonary Dr act like it isn't a big deal and that being anxious makes it worse, but no one is telling me how to deal with it except Lorazepam and the rescue inhaler Pro air HFA. My Primary dr said I don't need the ADvair HFA. It didn't seem to help anyway. Since all my tests are negative how do I deal with this? Should I be nervous about the disease?

I forgot to list the medications I take on a daily basis. Im on Carvedilol 3.25 twice a day. 81 MG of aspirin and I take Fish oil, red yeast rice, vit d 3, turmeric, Ubiquinol, Multiple Vit and whey protein in a smoothie. I was taking .5 mg of lorazepam at night but today my dr wants me to try .25 during the day and 1mg at night with a melatonin 5mg.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Satyadeo Choubey (11 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Get a sputum eosinophil count done.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your query.
I can feel your agony.
As you have told, you got upper respiratory tract infection and was followed by present symptoms cough, the only probable diagnosis left after the CT scan and normal PFT is post viral syndrome. This entity occurs when viral infection causes the cough generating receptors exposed.

Hereby you can go for one more test I.e sputum eosinophil count to rule out eosinophilic bronchitis where patient has cough but normal PFT.
For symptoms you may try inhaled steroids after discussing with doctor.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Satyadeo Choubey (9 hours later)
I don't really have a cough anymore. Just a little once in a while. My only concerning symptom post my URI is breathing difficulties. Pulmonary Dr & primarcy care Dr says I have RAD but they didn't seem concerned. I have albuterol sulfate rescue inhaler. I took ad advair hFA twice but it didn't help even a little. My primary Dr gave me lorazapam to relax. I'm having a hard time dealing with the difficulty breathing comfortably. I have to go back to work next week at the bookstore. I had a bad reaction to prednisone. Do you think the lorazapam & the emergency inhaler are good choices?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Satyadeo Choubey (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Yes both of these will make you ease of symptoms.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks again for follow up.

Emergency inhaler is usually enough to treat reactive airway disease. I am hopeful that the inhaler will work. Once You can get relieved of your anxiety and it would be better to gradually stop lorazepam.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Satyadeo Choubey

Pulmonologist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 554 Questions

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What Is The Cause And Treatment For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection?

Brief Answer: Get a sputum eosinophil count done. Detailed Answer: Thanks for your query. I can feel your agony. As you have told, you got upper respiratory tract infection and was followed by present symptoms cough, the only probable diagnosis left after the CT scan and normal PFT is post viral syndrome. This entity occurs when viral infection causes the cough generating receptors exposed. Hereby you can go for one more test I.e sputum eosinophil count to rule out eosinophilic bronchitis where patient has cough but normal PFT. For symptoms you may try inhaled steroids after discussing with doctor. Best wishes.