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Are Cold, Fatigue And Diarrhoea Early Symptoms Of Leukemia?

Posted on Fri, 11 Dec 2015

Question: Hi, I have had a headache on and off for the last 3 weeks usually minor. This last week I have developed a cold that turned into loose stools and fatigue. Just wondered how leukemia would present and whether I should be worried?

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Your symptoms are not suggestive of leukemia

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.
Headache associated with cold is a usual phenomenon.
If there is associated infection of the sinus, that too can lead to headache.
Besides these causes, an isolated headache can be due to refractive error of vision, tiredness, restlessness, migraine, etc.
A clinical assessment is required to know the cause of headache.
Cold can be managed with anti-histaminic preparation. Consult your doctor for prescription.
Loose stools can be due to indigestion or infection.
Associated fatigue can accompany cold and loose stools.
None of the symptoms are suggestive of leukemia.
I suggest you to consult your primary healthcare provider for clinical assessment and symptomatic treatment.
A complete hemogram may also be added to investigations to look for anemia or low hemoglobin (for fatigue).

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Shailja Puri (12 minutes later)

Thanks - i just read that recurrent infection can be a symptom. What type of recurrent infection would occur with AML?

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
AML is associated with infections, anemia and low platelets.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
AML is characterised by recurrent infections which are most often bacterial.
In addition, it causes tiredness, fatigue, weakness, easy bruising due to low platelets etc.
There may be associated enlargement of liver, spleen and lymph nodes.
All the signs and symptoms are due to increased number of leukemia cells and reduced number of normal blood cells.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Shailja Puri (3 hours later)

Thanks - in AML im guessing the upset stomach / cold would be an unlikely first symtom?

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
Upst stomach and cold are not characteristic of AML.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
Yes, upset stomach and cold appear to be isolated problems and not likely to be due to AML.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj