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Can A History Of Pneumonia Cause Intermittent Cough?

Posted on Thu, 10 Aug 2023

Question: my husband is 43 and has had an "on again off again cough" for several months. It prevents him from sleeping in the bed during a flare up because of coughing fits. the cough started again about a week ago and now he has a fever, he went to the dr and the dr said the sounds in his lower left and right lobes sounds are reduced. She suggested an x ray to rule out anything major. he has smoked since he was a teenager but refused the x ray... I am concerned. how likely is this to be lung cancer

Answered by Dr. Dr. Jolanda (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:

need to do a chest CT

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

As you explain the history it might be pneumonia, causing this cough.

For evaluating better, if lung cancer is present, he should do a chest CT. If the result is negative then no cancer and nothing to worry about.

However, he should stop smoking even if it is pneumonia.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Jnikolla, Pulmonologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee